Composer: Ludwig van Beethoven, Johannes Brahms
Orchestra: Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra
Conductor: Mariss Jansons
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: RCO Live
Catalogue: RCO05002
Release: 2005
Size: 1.96 GB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: cover
Beethoven: Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 36
01. I. Adagio molto – Allegro con brio
02. II. Larghetto
03. III. Scherzo (Allegro)
04. IV. Allegro molto
Brahms: Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 73
05. I. Allegro non troppo
06. II. Adagio non troppo
07. III. Allegretto grazioso
08. IV. Allegro con spirito
There is no denying that Mariss Jansons is one in a handful of truly great living conductors, with a superlative baton technique and a strong interpretative profile. There is no denying that the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra of Amsterdam is one of the greatest orchestras in the world, with superb soloists and a superlative ensemble sound. And there is no denying that the recordings Jansons and the Concertgebouw have made together since he became chief conductor have been among the best. But, while there is no denying that Jansons and the Concertgebouw are a wonderful combination, there is also no denying that these 2004 recordings of the second symphonies of Beethoven and Brahms are merely adequate. This is not to say that they are not splendidly performed — the warmth and weight of the Concertgebouw is marvelously matched by the lyricism and drive of Jansons — but it is to say that neither Jansons nor the Concertgebouw have much to say about either work and, apparently, no particularly compelling reason to say anything. The Beethoven Second is a standard-issue Viennese High Classical symphony, while Brahms’ Symphony No. 2 is an off-the-rack late German Romantic symphony, and no one who already knows the works will learn anything new about them from these recordings. RCO Live’s sound is clear, open, and deep.