The final release of the George Enescu (1881-1955) symphony cycle includes two neglected masterpieces: the 1st Symphony filled with youthful energy and the poetic and...

The final release of the George Enescu (1881-1955) symphony cycle includes two neglected masterpieces: the 1st Symphony filled with youthful energy and the poetic and lyric Symphonie concertante for Cello and Orchestra. The soloist of the Symphony concertante is the award-winning cellist Truls Mørk.

REVIEW:

Truls Mørk’s burnished, sweet tone fits very well into Lintu’s conception of the Symphonie Concertante that sees its soloist as part of the orchestral texture. Which isn’t to say that Mørk can’t be heard, but that Lintu takes pains to keep Enescu’s sometimes complex textures clear, and meet the cello as an equal rather than its accompaniment. This new release takes pride of place.

I obviously view the Silvestri First with great affection, preferring that conductor’s reading of the second movement to this one, but in all other respects Lintu and the Tampere Philharmonic are equal or superior to whatever else is out there where both works on this album are concerned; and Silvestri’s recording is light-years behind the sound on this CD. Once again, these Finnish musicians show a remarkably sympathetic understanding of the recondite qualities of one of the greatest of the last century’s composers. This release makes an excellent companion to their previous pair of discs. I can only hope they’ll turn their attention to Enescu’s other orchestral music, and in particular Vox maris. Strongly recommended.

-- Fanfare