Schwarz/RLPO M9...My Impressions

[Michael]

I am listening to the Finale from the Schwarz/RLPO M9...I have to admit, I really like this.  I like his dynamic contrasts, even if he does do some stuff I have never heard before.  The string playing is similar (to me, anyway) to that from Rattle's Berlin recording but is different in some areas: for example, the strings are more expressive.  I think passion takes priority over execution here, but passion is the order of the day and there are no glairing errors that I can hear.

I have also listened to the other movements, just not in as great of detail.  I can say though that Schwarz brings out some interesting ideas with his shaping of the phrases etc.  The Rondo is deliciously fast, so Scott you should like this one.  I have not spent as much time with the first movement, but what I have heard I have liked.

[John Kim]

Schwarz's Seattle Symphony performance was, in some ways, more refined and had dark, glowing colors that are not so evident in this recording. The RLPO one is a less sensitive and tougher reading than the Seattle concert. I wish we had the good elements from both but that's not possible. As it is, RLPO M9th is still very good.

John,