Antoni Wit is unquestionably one of the great, unsung conductors currently working, and he has a terrific orchestra at his disposal. What a difference a sympathetic performance makes in the case of the “Rebirth” Symphony. Chandos issued a perfectly competent version (BBC Philharmonic/Noseda) that also was perfectly forgettable. True, the symphony still promises more than it delivers; it sounds far more conservative than the colorful incidental music to Bianca da Molena. But in Wit’s hands the piece unfolds with a purposeful sense of drama.
What makes Wit’s performance so telling is the fact that even though it’s slower than Noseda’s, it cheats the clock. The difference stems largely from committed string playing, which energizes the substantial first movement and projects its long lyrical lines in a way that justifies its length. The result is a very satisfying performance of a work that ultimately still lacks the last ounce of personality. The engineering is ripe and resonant, and very well suited to the music’s harmonic opulence. If you want this music, this is the disc to get. [4/21/2011]
