This 1983 Strauss album was made toward the end of Claudio Abbado’s London Symphony period, which yielded some of his finest recordings. Abbado’s readings are propulsive and exciting, with none of the self-consciousness and over-fastidiousness that informed some of his later work. Don Juan is particularly stimulating even if it doesn’t reach the intensity of Szell or Kempe–conductors who also bring a bit more drama and ferocity to Death and Transfiguration, though Abbado’s version, with its wealth of orchestral detail, is quite impressive. Abbado’s Till Eulenspiegel is alive with bright humor and vivid color. The London Symphony performs like the great orchestra it is, with virtuoso contributions from every section, especially the strings in Don Juan. The early digital recording displays its age only in the slight distortion at the climaxes, but is otherwise excellent. A welcome re-release from Arkivmusic.com. [1/15/2007]
