Search - Ludwig van Beethoven, Wyn Morris, London Symphony Orchestra :: Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 7 & 8

Outstanding

David Saemann | 06/13/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Wyn Morris is one of my favorite Beethoven conductors. I have Symphonies 1 through 8 with him on CD, and they all are wonderful. He studied with George Szell, and some of Szell's seriousness of purpose is noticeable in these readings, although they sound warmer that Szell's versions. The sound engineering, from 1988, is superb, a typical job by the excellent engineer Trygg Tryggvason. In the 7th Symphony, Morris takes the first movement exposition repeat, and the whole movement flows with a sense of light hearted inevitability. The tempo for the slow movement is not as fast as Szell's or Toscanini's, but then I don't like hearing this music rushed. The concluding movements are equally sonorous and splendid. Throughout, the London Symphony's playing is simply glorious, with rich string sound and warm winds and brass. Their ensemble is to die for. The 8th is a middle of the road performance, but full of vigor and even fantasy. My advice for any Beethoven fan is to collect as many Wyn Morris performances as you can get your hands on (including the marvelous collaboration with Charles Rosen on the second and fourth piano concertos). You will not be disappointed."