There is absolutely nothing special about this CD, either sonically or interpretively. Ashkenazy’s tempos are swift, but his shaping of both works isn’t in any way distinctive. The playing of the orchestra is thoroughly mediocre. The “Classical” Symphony lacks crispness of articulation and there’s not a shred of wit either in the playing or the conducting. The Fifth Symphony is just tepid, whether in the underwhelming first-movement coda, or the tragic climax of the adagio. The quick scherzo and finale go better, but hardly qualify as outstanding, particularly when the orchestral ensemble is so casual. Not worth either your time or your money.
