About this Artist

• Biography

Editorial Reviews

Lean, clean, and very colorful, Jirí Belohlávek and the Prague Philharmonic's 2006 recording of Mendelssohn's "Scottish" and "Italian" symphonies will delight those listeners who judge Mendelssohn to be the most classical of the early romantic composers. Belohlávek leads the orchestra he founded in 1994 in performances that articulate the lines with amazing clarity and elucidate the textures with astounding lucidity. One can hear everything in the scores -- the way the woodwinds shade the strings, the way the brass supports the winds, the way the soloists blend and balance with the sections -- and for that the listener must be grateful. The listener, however, may regret that the performances sometimes lack strength -- the climaxes of the outer movements of both symphonies fail to catch fire -- and that the performers often seem less than entirely convinced by the music -- the themes are pleasing not striving and the structures are solid not compelling. But these are emotional, one might even say "romantic" qualities, and although those who judge Mendelssohn to be an early but nevertheless full-blooded romantic may find these reasons enough to disqualify Belohlávek's recordings, those who prefer lucidity to emotionality may prefer the Czech conductor's way with the music. Supraphon's digital sound is clear enough but not especially present. James Leonard, All Music Guide

Customer Reviews

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