Upon revisting the Abbado/BPO M3 recently...I have to say it has now become my top M3...it really is incredible in every way. The sonics don't bother me, and the performance has a special tonality I can't describe, and the tempos are judged just right for my taste...I have a tendency to prefer slow performances, but Abbado shows me another vision for the work, and I'm simply blown away.
Not only is the 1st movement here among the most exciting with raw power, but the inner movements to this performance are far different in concept than his earlier VPO account...here these movements flow and throw off breath taking nuances at every turn with a wonderful atmospheric quality, and now I have to admit this BPO surpasses the earlier VPO, which was a real favorite of mine of a long time.
--Todd