<<  -- 4 --  David Thompson    Darkly brooding

The last two movements are ravishingly played, and one cannot but admire the polish and class of this orchestra. Listen to the finely-nuanced solo work in the contrapuntal writing of the allegretto, and the warmth of the strings [CD1 track 3, 3:45-4:51]. Listen to the massed forces in full cry at the end of the work [CD1 track 4, 11:57-12:53]. It's all very persuasive. But surely, the allegretto's sinister waltz music leading to the anguished climax is lacking in angst and irony, and surely the victorious peroration of the finale should show more signs of struggle? Here we have sanitised optimism where there should be traces of blood on the carpet.

In sum, for me, Litton is just far too 'nice', but if you take a different view of the work, he certainly offers a thoughtful and carefully prepared account, beautifully played and recorded. It deserves to be heard, certainly, but at the end of the day, it's not for me.

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