Neeme Järvi’s take on Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 1 is fairly typical of this conductor–fast tempos and light textures, as well as an emphasis on the singing line. The result is a breezy first movement that suggests a brisk sleigh ride through the “Winter” of the title. However, Järvi seems focused on the journey’s end, less concerned with the details along the way. Thus some inner harmonic and contrapuntal detail gets submerged beneath the shimmering string surface, and rhythms aren’t as sharply defined as they are in Markevitch’s captivating performance with the London Symphony. Järvi’s best movements are the Adagio, with its air of hushed melancholy, and the finale, where the unyieldingly quick pace makes for a very exciting conclusion. The Gothenburg Symphony performs handsomely, though the super-polished playing and easy execution leaves the music wanting more of a dramatic edge. The same goes for Romeo and Juliet, which, despite some fine playing enhanced by Järvi’s romantic sensitivity, lacks the stirring passion evoked by Bernstein, Muti, or Svetlanov.
The most unusual item, and for some listeners the highlight of the disc, is The Snow Maiden. Beginning with the enchantingly beautiful Introduction (featuring some breathtaking woodwind writing), the four selections include an Entr’acte, the gorgeous Melodrama, and the rollicking Dance of the Buffoons. Järvi’s emotive and nuanced conducting displays clear love for the music. BIS’s superb DSD recording is spacious and natural, with an ideal listener perspective. [11/5/2004]
