ZEMLINSKY: Symphonies Nos. 1 and 2

Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra;
Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra;
Seipenbusch, Edgar;
Rajter, Ludovit

8.557008

This apt Naxos coupling of the two Symphonies that Zemlinsky wrote in the 1890s is drawn from two earlier Marco Polo discs, differently coupled. The Symphony 1 of 1892 moved from an amiably lyrical Allegro and a nicely pointed Scherzo to a measured, deeply expressive finale, anticipating the similarly lyrical last movements of Mahler in some of his Symphonies. The performance is not helped by the slightly distanced recording. The much Symphony 2 of 1897 makes a far sharper impact, both through the performance and the fuller, brighter recording. A slow introduction, brassily Wagnerian, lead to an urgently Scherzo and lyrical slow movement, again Wagnerian, based on a theme like an Austrian folk-tune, lead to a variation finale in strongly contrasted sections. It is fine work that richly deserves revival. • Penguin Guide, January 2009

CD

Muzyka klasyczna

Naxos

13-01-2003

747313200825