A thrilling disc in exceptional sound.

Right from the opening declamatory trumpet motif of the Sinfonia tragica there is an immediate sense of excitement. When the main (slow) body of the first movement proceeds, the sorrowful trumpet tune is most eloquently performed by the unnamed soloist of the Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin. Marek Janowski moulds the accompaniment around this and other woodwind and brass soloists with the strings taking over the thematic interest seamlessly but musically. The pacing Janowski supplies allows all phrases to be eloquently and tenderly expounded without ever giving so much time as to allow ideas to stutter into fragmentary episodes.

The second movement contains much quicker and violent music but the orchestra embraces all the facets with apparent ease. As with the first movement, Janowski paces with sensitivity - the speed is fast but not so fast that it crosses the thin line between dramatic and chaotic. The woodwind contributions are particularly telling here. And despite the Misterioso marking, the movement and work ends in a way that completely belies this direction!

The concerto is unusual in respect of the scoring adopted - starting with a prominent solo for the viola player before being joined by percussion instruments and the pianist. The piano role is not as important as the viola's and because of this perhaps the title is slightly misleading - in many ways this work is similar in construction to the chamber concertos of Berg and Hindemith. The playing of Tatjana Masurenko is very fine and at no point in this taxing work does she sound remotely taxed! Frank-Immo Zichner has less opportunity to shine but dispatches those episodes with aplomb. The wind and percussion sections of the orchestra under Janowski take every opportunity to match the skill and dexterity displayed by the soloists.

The sonics are spectacular but never unnaturally so; all details come through without a spotlit halo and, unsurprisingly given that it is recorded in the great Jesus-Christus Kirche (Berlin), is very rich in texture. The dynamic range is also wide which adds to the impact of the music and its presentation.

This is easily the best disc that I have heard from Capriccio yet and arguably a fine demonstration disc to take to test potential new equipment purchases.

Copyright © 2007 John Broggio and HRAudio.net

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