With this release, Delos lives up to the hype surrounding its Virtual Reality Recording process, for this is one of the most realistic orchestral CDs you’ll ever encounter–so good in fact, you may want to postpone upgrading your speakers! As for the actual performances, the best item is the Second Piano Concerto–brilliantly played with a light touch by Andrew Litton himself. The famous Fifth Symphony receives a solid, no-nonsense reading that observes the now common practice of taking the finale’s coda at a slow tempo–although not nearly so protracted as from either Rostroprovich or Maxim Shostakovich. Once again, it’s the realism of the sound that makes the strongest impression. The program opener–a sane but expertly played Festive Overture–reveals the same polished but slightly easygoing appoach that characterizes the symphony. This recording is highly recommendable for the piano concerto, the sound, and to those wanting value added to their Fifth Symphony.
