These are wonderful works, especially the neglected First Symphony, with its vicious opening movement, jazzy central Adagio, and “Sorcerer’s Apprentice” finale. Dennis Russell Davies is a contemporary music specialist, and I have yet to hear a recording of him playing “non-contemporary” repertoire that has been fully satisfying. The kind of music that Davies excels at—often minimalist or similar—requires rhythmic precision and steadiness of tempo. Honegger demands those things too, but also a wide dynamic range and a depth of emotion, especially in the “Liturgique”, that Davies fails to realize.
As always with these situations, the issue isn’t competence but charisma. Compare this version to any of the reference recordings—Baudo (Supraphon) or Karajan (DG)—and the difference is immediately apparent. Those recordings bring the necessary weight to the strings and violence from the brass. The energy level is higher in the allegros, and the moodiness is deeper and more compelling in the slow movements. The climax of the finale in the “Liturgique” is aptly apocalyptic, the rapt coda all the more atmospheric as a result. Davies & Co. simply don’t achieve anything like the same impact.
The live sonics here are good, and confirm the accuracy of the results these players achieve; but we deserve more than mere accuracy.
