After recently reviewing Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos’ latest work on BIS (Liszt tone poems), it came as a pleasant surprise to receive this excellent reminder of his earlier career in London in the 1960s. He leads a terrific performance of Mendelssohn’s Midsummer Night’s Dream music in “complete” form. The overture, in particular, sounds spectacular: gorgeously forward winds, fantastical scurrying violins that play with velvety lightness at high speed, and a fine bottom to the ensemble in loud passages. The Scherzo might not have the fanatical discipline of Toscanini or Szell, but the spirit and atmosphere are exactly right, also true of the lovely Nocturne. In sum, fine soloists, an enthusiastic chorus, and very good sound make for a welcome return to the catalog. Ernest Ansermet’s performances of the two overtures aren’t nearly so well recorded (remastering no doubt would have helped), and come across as a touch prosaic in their Cartesian austerity; but better “interestingly deliberate” (which they certainly are) than boring.
