Dvorak: Symphony No. 9 / Othello Overture
Odd that Abbado has never recorded theNew Worldsymphony until now. While this isn't a life-changing performance, it offers a refreshing, direct approach, with the Berlin Philharmonic leaving no doubt they're still a world-class outfit. Abbado relishes the tensions and contrasts of the opening movement, giving the introduction a timeless lyricism and the dramatic conclusion a real emotional surge. The famous Largo is taken simply and affectingly, with the music's aching nostalgia never lapsing into sentimentality. After a dynamic, pulsating scherzo, the finale launches into action and maintains excitement right until the close--one Ninth Symphony, which you feel the composer had no hang-up about being his last. As a coupling, there's the rarely heardOthellooverture, Dvorák's heart-on-sleeve response to Shakespeare's play and not unlike a rerun of Tchaikovsky'sRomeo and Juliet--without the tune. Almost contemporary with the symphony, it makes a telling lead-in and enhances the attractions of the disc overall.--Richard Whitehouse