Beethoven Symphony No. 5 / Mendelssohn Symphony No. 4 "Italian" (Multichannel Hybrid SACD)
Sir Colin Davis's first recording of Beethoven's Fifth, from 1974 with the BBC Symphony, differs from his more spacious later Dresden Recording but it's no less valid. In general, this is a more straight-ahead, energetic interpretation, an impression heightened by the absence of the first movement exposition repeat. Nevertheless, Davis's slow movement is broad, with a beautifully sculpted first theme and the final Allegro has plenty of power. The 1976 Mendelssohn "Italian" bristles with liveliness and is one of the better versions on disc. Superior playing by the Boston Symphony, evident in the delicious solo winds, especially in the Presto finale, the full, warm strings, and refined ensemble. This remastering of Philips quadraphonic originals is a hybrid disc that can be heard in four channel true quad SACD, in SACD two-channel stereo, and in standard CD stereo. The new media offer slightly more air and space around the instruments and the full band, but little is lost in the full-bodied standard CD playback.--Dan Davis