What do we look for in a great Alpine Symphony? Certainly there’s little depth or insight that a conductor can bring to the music, nor would Strauss probably have taken exception to this contention. What this work needs is fantastic playing, a firm pulse to keep it moving, and great sound that captures the score in all its cinematic splendor. Well folks, your ship has come in. Ashkenazy recorded this work once before, a fine performance for Decca with the Cleveland Orchestra, but experience tells, and this new version smokes. The tonal qualities of the Czech Philharmonic mirror almost exactly those of the Staatskapelle Dresden in its celebrated Strauss recordings for Kempe: a transparent sound built from the bottom up, strings that have density without heaviness, fantastic winds, brass that really cut and add brilliance to climaxes without blasting, and ideal internal balances between all the sections. Power and clarity: what a wonderful combination! And what a thrilling sound Ashkenazy gets from his band for the initial sunrise, the entry into the forest, the majestic climax at the mountain’s summit, and the best storm since Solti’s Bavarian Radio recording. Top it all off with sensational sonics of demonstration quality, a nice bonus in the form of the Rosenkavalier Waltzes, and the result is a new landmark for Strauss fans. An alp never had it so good. [Editor’s Note: This recording is also available in Japan on Canyon Classics, in which incarnation this review previously appeared.] [1/1/2002]
