My favourites are Silvestri (EMI), Haitink, Rozhdestvensky, Abravanel, Svetlanov and Muti. I don’t much care for Petrenko. It is a clear-headed but non-partisan view of the score, by which I mean that he never explores its extreme reaches, whether they are of despair, languid swooning, exaltation and exultation, neurotic febrility, etc. Those I’ve mentioned all take us to one or more of these violently exacerbated emotional states.
The out and out winner in terms of fantastic orchestral execution and glorious sound is the Concertgebouw/Haitink. It’s also a noble, exciting intepretation, dramatic where needed but never neurotic (which Manfred certainly is). Abravanel’s is a clean, limpid interpretation. The volume knob needs to be cranked up for a fully satisfactory sound to emerge. But do crank it up: it reveals a reading of uncommon honesty and finesse, and the conductor makes the middle movements stand out as an oasis of repose and beauty. Silvestri is a sulfurous, volcanic interpreter and this disc is the standout in the excellent EMI Icon set dedicated to this conductor. Garments are rended and hands wringed in grand fashion. The sound is excellent.
The Rozhdestvensky disc (to which I’m listening right now) is the product of one of those vinyl-to-disc house affairs that attempt to rescue forgotten or otherwise unavailable discs. It’s a highly individual account, beautifully realised by the russian musicians and quite well recorded. One thing one must say about this conductor: he is never less than 100% involved in what he does. This has now been reissued on various labels and is easily obtainable. I’ll listen to the Svetlanov disc next. If memory serves it’s a highly idiosyncratic, sometimes wilfull, electrically charged affair.
Muti is an excellent, « straight » interpreter: no licenses are taken. It’s an exciting, dramatic, unvarnished traversal. I remember the Maazel WP as a somber, gloomy interpretation. I’m interested in the Jansons, Nelsons and Chailly recordings. Drasko’s advocacy of the Symeonov makes me think: I’ll try to locate a copy (it’s there, but very expensive). I’ve never been disappointed by his recommendations !
