The Overture is atmospheric and rough-hewn, a stimulating preface to the Symphonies, Sergiu Comissiona and his Baltimore players painting the music with broad brushstrokes before unfolding the first movement of the ‘Italian’ at a relaxed tempo and with buoyant rhythms, the observance of the exposition repeat (and therefore including the numerous lead-back bars) adding substance to a joyful traversal. The remaining movements are equally fine, the middle ones respectively of definite (nocturnal) tread and lyrical loveliness (wholesome yet affectionate) rounded by a zesty and vivid Finale, woodwind details pin-pointed. The ‘Reformation’ is no less impressive, sublime in the ‘Dresden Amen’ opening (cf. the Prelude to Wagner’s Parsifal), a rival to Maazel’s Berlin account (DG) and nearly as dramatic as him in the Allegro, certainly incisive, riposted by the numerous delights of the Scherzo and Trio, so lovingly expressed in Baltimore, then profoundly in the slow movement, and finally, incorporating ‘Ein feste Burg’, weightily and with gravitas, all sounding superbly tangible in this Audiophile remastering of an Elite Recordings original, on VOX-NX-3047CD. Hopefully, there’s more Vox from Baltimore & Comissiona to come, and also from Michael Gielen during his Cincinnati tenure, including a fiery ‘Eroica’.
Vox Audiophile – Sergiu Comissiona & Baltimore Symphony Orchestra play Mendelssohn’s Hebrides Overture and ‘Italian’ & ‘Reformation’ Symphonies.
