From now on, when we criticize a Mendelssohn complete, we must begin with a word of congratulations for having spared us the fashionable version of theItalian. So thanks to Paavo Järvi for taking the “normal” score. A lot of water has flowed under the bridge since the Karajan and Abbado integrals: we are now in a much livelier and more dynamic approach. Paavo Järvi succeeds Yannick Nézet-Séguin and the European Chamber Orchestra (DG), with a little more tension and less heat. There are more accents in Järvi (third movement of the 4e), more colors among Quebecers. If this energetic, but slightly cold, Mendelssohn never causes boredom (5e Symphony), these new performers follow the path of a visionary, Kurt Masur, in his second complete, with Teldec (Warner). The pinnacle of Masur’s career, his integral does not bend to any diktat on vibrato and is full of colors, cantabile execution and bounce. And this almost unsurpassable sum is sold for a pittance, in addition to including the youth symphonies by the Concerto Köln. Quick calculation.
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