Prokofiev: Symphony No.5
Santtu-Matias Rouvali / Philharmonia Orchestra (Signum Classics)
(scroll down for English review)
芬蘭年青指揮盧法利將於21/22樂季成為愛樂管弦樂團的新任音樂總監，是他在（瑞典）哥特堡交響樂團以外的第二隊樂隊。但這張已是他和愛樂管弦樂團的第二張唱片，上一張是柴可夫斯基《天鵝湖》的選段，比組曲版多一倍音樂，但那個錄音很平凡，我都懶得介紹了。
第二張有普羅歌菲夫《第五交響曲》，就是兩碼子的事。雖然我不敢擔保是最高水平的演奏，但已有不少地方令我對他刮目相看。弦樂聲響很豐滿，指揮更是給他們很多空間歌唱，絕不是年輕指揮通病，出死力把拍子打得太勁、於是也把拍子打死。盧法利也不是躲在舒適區中不慍不火，音樂需要向前衝、或者需要爆發時他也願意冒險，而且有能力控制得住。就算是大他二十年的老到指揮也未必指到這種水平，以後的錄音我會期待的。
The young Finn Rouvali is set to head Philharmonia Orchestra starting from the 21/22 season, holding it concurrently with the Gothenburg Symphony. This is already his second recording with this orchestra. The first one, an extended selection highlights from Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake, was so mediocre that I didn’t bother to review.
But this Prokofiev Fifth is another matter. I won’t say this is the best, or among the best, but there’re enough spots that were dazzling enough. Strings are robust and Rouvali left much room for them to sing. Also, Rouvali wouldn’t give such strong beats as most young batons love to do. Such strong beats usually stiffen the music instead of propelling it. Yet Rouvali didn’t stay in the comfort zone, he was willing to step up if the music demands impetus and fireworks, and he was able to control it. Better known conductors twenty years older aren’t necessarily able to give such performance and so I’ll keep an eye on Rouvali’s future recordings.