Donald Satz writes, about Neville Marriner:
>I could hardly believe what I was hearing. Marriner is toward the bottom
>of my conductor chart, so I expected a relatively routine and staid
>performance. As the 1st movement [of the Schumann Second] began, my
>attention became riveted to the music. The introduction was superb,
>bringing out all the tension and beauty. As the pace quickened, the
>excitement generated by Marriner was exhilarating. Also, the sound was
>crisp, clear, and hit me just right at climaxes. The other three movements
>were equally excellent. It seemed as if Marriner was on some speed-up
>medication. Whatever it is, he should stick with it.
I think you may have misjudged the Marriner of old. When he was recording
everything under the sun with St. Martin in the Fields, his tempi tended
to be on the brisk side, I always thought.
Btw, his recent recordings with ASMF of two Mozart concerti (d minor,
No. 20, K. 466, and A major, No. 23, K. 488) with the inimitable Ivan
Moravec are treasurable. Also on Haenssler.
Scott Morrison
The new address, just to remind you:
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