Symphonies nos. 4 & 5

"Vurdering: Cd der Woche" - "Man merkt: dieses Ensemble, die Kammerakademie Potsdam und ihr Dirigent sind wirklich zusammengewachsen. Sie bieten einen spannenden Mendelssohn, bei dem man deutlich die Gegensätze hören kann: Mendelssohns starke musikalische Einfallskraft und gleichzeitig seine immerwährende zweifelnde Zurückhaltung".

"I've just two critical comments about this Naïve CD. Firstly, in a recording notable for its forwardness and clarity the timpani seem a little buried ... Secondly, though Krivines consistently animated approach works for me, it results in a total playing time of 54:13, which is short measure for a full price CD these days ... That said, if you want this coupling on period instruments, which I prefer in these works for their greater vibrancy of tone and clarity of rhythm, this Krivine CD is the one to go for. While carefully thought out in terms of phrasing and dynamics, these performances also have great spontaneity".

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"Andrew Manze is fast becoming one of the most interesting conductors around ... He has now turned his attention to Mendelssohn (Symphonies 4 & 5 with the ND Radiophilharmonie on Pentatone) and the results are exhilarating: a fresh, dynamic "Italian" Symphony, bursting with life and light, is followed by a "Reformation" Symphony that is transparent, not weighty but deeply eloquent, its "Dresden Amen" so uplifting that Wagner would directly copy it".

"The performance of the Italian Symphony, though tremendously exciting and genuinely explosive in the finale, fails to convince on repeated hearing. The orchestra plays well and the brass are outstanding - the whooping of the natural horns is a joy to hear. The problem is Fey's direction".

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"The opening of the Italian has a pleasant swing to it but the sense of musicians working well within their limits (especially in a sleepy Minuet) is palpable".

"Emmanuel Krivine conducts lithe and resilient performances from the talented French group La Chambre Philharmonique which are refreshing from beginning to end ... The dynamic range and transparency of the recording help ... One hopes for more Mendelssohn from Krivine and his period players".

"Despite some pinpoint string-playing and lovely, rounded woodwind solos, the focus ... isn't quite there ... It's a fine performance on its own terms but it isn't the effusion of joyful energy that it might be".