Constantin Silvestri, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra - BBC Legends (2 CD) (2006)

Constantin Silvestri (1913-1969), born and trained in Bucharest, was something of a prodigy (he had played the piano in public at the age of 10). His conducting debut, in 1930, was a success, and he devoted himself to this art through opera productions and symphony concerts in his place of birth. (Silvestri was also a composer.) International engagements did not occur until the mid-1950s (this was a time when Eastern countries restricted the travel of their citizens). Such high-profile and well-received engagements in the West forced Silvestri to abandon his country and he settled in Paris. From there he became a prolific recording artist (an activity already started in Romania) and a guest with some of the most prestigious orchestras. Reviews from London and Chicago reported Silvestri’s conducting with such descriptions as: “splendidly disciplined, subtly coloured, poetic, intensity, concentrated drama…”

The first CD is mostly devoted to Elgar, a composer that Silvestri was no stranger to – he made a notable Bournemouth recording of In the South for EMI (alongside Vaughan Williams) – and it seems that commercial ventures with both symphonies were planned. He was also “deeply affected” by “The Dream of Gerontius”.

First on CD 2 is an absolute winner – a marvellous account of Tchaikovsky’s adorable Second Symphony (1966), which makes use of folk-tunes from the Ukraine. Silvestri doesn’t force his hand here, allowing the opening Andante to be an almost-improvised introduction, one tellingly dovetailed to the Allegro vivo which enjoys a light and shade (and superb double bass articulation) that is delightful, rather balletic and, also, a rhetorical grandeur that is entirely apt. The march-like Andantino also responds to Silvestri’s light hand, and the scherzo is a whirlwind in terms of tempo but with no compromise to clarity or unanimity. The finale, without the niggling cuts that some conductors have imposed, has trenchancy, incision and affection in spades, a patience that builds to climaxes with certainty and conviction.

Read full review at Classicalsource

Tracklist

CD 1

1. Elgar, Cockaigne (In London Town) – Concert Overture, Op.40 (15:38)
2-5 Elgar, Symphony No.1 in A flat, Op.55
Andante (22:04)
Allegro molto (08:12)
Adagio (11:33)
Lento - allegro (13:15)
6. Arnold, Beckus the Dandipratt – Comedy Overture, Op.5 (07:50)

Total time 01:18:32


CD 2

1-4 Tchaikovsky, Symphony No.2 in C minor, Op.17 (Little Russian)
Andante sostenuto - allegro vivo (10:46)
Andantino marziale (07:11)
Scherzo. Allegro molto vivace (03:48)
Finale. Moderato assai (11:10)
5. Debussy, Jeux – poeme danse (17:21)
6-9. Britten, Peter Grimes – Four Sea Interludes, Op.33a
Dawn (03:36)
Sunday Morning (04:17)
Moonlight (04:35)
Storm (04:54)
10. Enescu, Romanian Rhapsody No.1, Op.11/1 (11:16)

Total time 01:18:54


Recorded between 1963 and 1968 in the Winter Gardens, Bournemouth and the Royal Festival Hall, London.



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