Sibelius: Symphony No.2
André Previn / Pittsburgh Symphony (Warner)
普烈文的EMI錄音全集於今星期推出，他和倫敦交響樂團的錄音，多年來受音響發燒友愛戴，而我覺得這套全集另一個小焦點，就是一直略為被忽略、他和匹茲堡交響樂團的錄音，普烈文於1976至84年執掌該團，部分任期和倫敦交響樂團重疊，今次介紹普烈文在匹茲堡錄的西貝流士 《第二交響曲》。
這首交響曲應該都適合很多音響發燒友，這錄音的銅管，對某些人來說可能太刺耳，但我覺得還是有意識及受控的範圍，所以對我來說是刺激，此外第二樂章的弦樂也很激昂。普烈文對音量對比不是那麼講究，但可能正因如此，大部分段落都奏得清清楚楚，反而很容易聽。
至於匹茲堡和倫敦交響樂團的分別，單憑這個錄音來看，我認為匹茲堡在展現爆棚之餘，音色也略較倫敦細膩，在弦樂最為明顯，或者就是前任音樂總監William Steinberg二十多年經營出來的成果。之後普烈文轉到Philips繼續和匹茲堡錄碟，且看環球古典日後會不會推出一盒集齊普烈文在Philips及DG錄音的全集。
André Previn’s complete EMI recordings is now available on one big box by Warner. His recordings with the London Symphony have always been favourites with audiophiles but to me the Pittsburgh recordings are due for reassessment. Previn’s tenure at Pittsburgh (1976-84) overlapped with the final years of his LSO tenure.
Sibelius Second is an audiophile-ish piece, the brass on this recording might be too loud for some, but I think the blasts were handled with mindfulness and control, so I consider that to be exciting playing. Also, the strings in the second movement were quite rousing. Previn wasn’t one to micromanage his dynamics and he aimed for clarity and effect, so it wasn’t hard to comprehend his reputation among audiophiles.
Comparing Pittsburgh Symphony and London Symphony, and speaking only from this Sibelius Second, I think the Pittsburgh players were equally able in delivering spectacular sounds, but they had an extra level of finesse over LSO, especially the strings. I guess the two-decade reign of William Steinberg had much to too with it and Previn was lucky to take over. Previn/Pittsburgh continued their recordings on Philips and I wish Universal would issue a Previn mega-set of his Philips and DG recordings.