Search - Alberic Magnard, Thomas Sanderling, Malmö Symphony Orchestra :: Magnard: Symphonies 1 & 3

Sanderling's Magnificent Magnard

Jeffrey Lipscomb | Sacramento, CA United States | 06/14/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'm afraid I have to take vigorous exception to the disparaging, "hopelessly muddled" review here by "a music fan." Perhaps he/she needs to get a new stereo system in order to hear this recording properly. I have listened to this exceedingly well-recorded Magnard CD through three different formats: 1) my Sony Walkman, which ruthlessly exposes things like drop-out and blurred textures, none of which occur here, 2) my "work-day" system of McIntosh solid state electronics and Dahlquist DQ-20 speakers, which includes tone controls to modify troublesome recordings (completely un-necessary here), and 3) my "high end" audiophile system consisting of Conrad-Johnson Premier 3 tubed preamp, Counterpoint SA-12 hybrid mosfet-tube amp, and Sound Lab full-range electrostatic speakers. Through the latter, this state of the art BIS recording sounds very transparent, exceptionally detailed, warmly balanced, and it portrays a very wide and deep sound stage.



And to pick nits, I don't quite see how the other reviewer could have "four recordings of all four" symphonies. To the best of my knowledge, there have been only THREE complete sets recorded of Magnard's 4 Symphonies: this Sanderling, the Ossonce (Hyperion) and the deleted Plasson (EMI). The sound of the latter, recommended as an alternative by the other reviewer, has precisely the quality that is so inaccurately attributed to Sanderling's: "hopelessly muddled" sonics.



At any rate, I feel that Sanderling here has given us the first truly satisfying coupling of the 1st & 3rd Symphonies. There was an excellent stereo London LP of the 3rd by Ansermet and his Suisse Romande ensemble, but that is long out of print and has not appeared on CD in the United States (apparently it has been available on that format in Europe). Sanderling's brilliant Malmo Symphony simply plays circles around those of Ossonce and Plasson, and interpretively Sanderling's pacing, accents, shaping of phrases and over-all architectural grasp here are simply magnificent. While it's a shame that none of the great French conductors (e.g., Charles Munch) ever recorded any Magnard, Sanderling's work here is surely a worthy substitute.



As I stated in my earlier review of Sanderling's BIS CD of Symphonies 2 & 4, I feel that these efforts are among the very finest orchestral recordings of the past decade. As for the music, I feel that, despite fine efforts by Franck, D'Indy (Magnard's teacher, whose style is quite noticeable in Magnard's 1st), and Chausson, it is Magnard who was France's finest symphonist until Roussel came along. The finest of Magnard's symphonic works is the 4th, a 20th century masterpiece by any reckoning. And, to my ears, we can all thank Sanderling and his superb Malmo Symphony for giving us these works in ALL their glory for the very first time.



Highest recommendation.



Jeff Lipscomb"

At last!

Robin Dalziell | West leederville, Western Australia Australia | 05/07/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I totally concur with Jeff Lipscomb's insightful reviews of Magnard's symphonies conducted by Thomas Sanderling.

Having listened to Plasson's renditions of these masterly scores since the early 1990's, I was left with the sense that 'the whole story was not being told'. How excited I was when I saw that a new cycle was available on Hyperion conducted by Jean-Yves Ossonce. Sure, the sound is far better and the orchestral sound heftier, but the interpretation still left my desire for the 'real' Magnard unrequited until...

Thomas Sanderling, the Malmo Symphony Orchestra and BIS!

Make no mistake; these are symphonies of the most considerable merit. Magnard's craftsmanship is masterly. The orchestration is inspired whether the mood is dark and concentrated - which it often - is or lyrical.

Wagner was one of his models, as was his teacher d'Indy, and you can certainly recognise the Germanic qualities of these works. However, from the first symphony on, Magnard's own 'voice' is everywhere in evidence.

Sanderling is very much inside these symphonies and communicates their depth, inventiveness and individuality like no other.

At last, a fitting tribute to genius!

"

These recordings are downrated by 2 identical 1* reviews!

Giradman | 10/21/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Sanderling recordings of these Symphonies on BIS are outstanding - two reviewers have already given these 5* reviews; unfortunately, counterbalanced are two 'identical' 1* reviews by the same person (not sure how the same review was repeated) - this incorrect entry has downgraded the overall rating to 3*, completely unjustified - I own both of these symphony sets and rate them 5*, thus my entry is to hopefully bring this average rating at least closer to 4* - I hope that Amazon will be able to eliminate one of the duplicate reviews of 1*!



But as a further encouragement for those who may want to acquire this production is a portion of a review by David Hurwitz below of ClassicsToday - he rated this set 10/10 for performance & recording, and highly recommends the performance over others available:



"which would be a pity because Sanderling's recordings are the best ever in this music, period. His approach is serious, unremittingly intense, and trenchant in a way that is markedly more "Germanic" than either Plasson or Ossance (Hyperion). But then again, these are very Germanic symphonies--being somewhat conservative in idiom, tightly written, and keenly balanced between passion and intellect--so Sanderling's approach is just what the music demands. His majestic tempos and firm control of rhythm in places such as the slow movement and finale of the Third Symphony really give this music a stature and command only hinted at in other performances. He also has by far the best orchestra and overwhelmingly the finest recorded sound, so even if you own any of the other versions, you simply have to hear Sanderling.""