Suk: Asrael Symphony [SACD]

I don't propose to be at all analytical about this performance, but feel confidant in writing a positive review after a first hearing.

"Asrael" is the Biblical Angel of Death, and Suk began this five movement symphony in 1904 after the death of his father-in-law and mentor Antonín Dvorák on 1 May, which affected him greatly. Yet worse was to to come. On 5 July 1905, at the age of 31, he also lost his beloved Otylka (Otilie Dvoráková), herself only 27, whom he had married in 1898.

When Otylka died, Suk was working on the fourth movement and had planned the fifth. He threw this work away, and replaced it with two adagio movements. The work was completed in 1906, and dedicated to Dvorák and Otylka. It lasts just over an hour.

The performance here by Ashkenazy and the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra is involving from start to finish. It's true that "involvement" is one of the undoubted advantages of SACD surround, but what I mean here is more like the total immersion in a piece of music that one can find, if one's lucky, in a concert hall. Ashkenazy's performance was recorded in 2008.

I already have the RBCD version by Kubelík and the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra recorded in 1981, when this piece was just starting to enter the regular symphonic repertoire. My reaction then was a sort of "Yes...but", and I have not played it much since. Ashkenazy is a different matter altogether, though in respect to Kubelík, I will certainly listen to his performance again.

If you are unfamiliar with the symphony, I can heartily recommend this version, although I have heard good things about the BIS SACD by the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Flor, also recorded in 2008. Suk's musical voice is his own, and perhaps closer to Mahler than Dvorák. So, if that attracts, you owe yourself to hear this!

DISCLAIMER: This is a Hybrid SACD. Unless otherwise indicated, any comments relating to sound are based on the SACD surround track as heard on a 4.0 speaker system. All speakers are full range. The CD stereo layer can be played on any CD, DVD or Blu-ray player.

Asrael is a great work - though you probably don't want to sit through an hour of predominantly slow, very intense music too often. It is a deeply affecting experience, though. Ashkenazy's performance - unusually by an entirely non-Czech team - is beautifully played, controlled and recorded. If you enjoy Mahler, Bruckner, Strauss and Elgar, then you'll almost certainly like this. I defy you not to be moved.

You won't hear Suk's Asrael symphony in the concert hall very often - I really think over here in Holland it has never been performed live in the 100+ years of the work's existence but I can be wrong - and with all the budgetary cuts our orchestras have to cope with the program will be mainly Brahms and Beethoven for the near future. Suk uses an overlarge orchestra and overripe style for an work full with grief and vigor; so be prepared it's not a happy work. What makes you happy is the performance on this superb disc. It shines, grumbles, grieves, it gives you all the emotions Suk asks for right into your heart. The recording is really first class with that very beautiful insistent timpani sound I like with BIS recordings. Only do pump the volume up a little so you'll be able to hear the ppppppppppppppppppppp passages which this score has to offer too. The fffffffffff passages may be a lillte bit too loud for the listening room and your neighbors but so you get the opportunity to learn them that next to Dvorak, the Czech do have many other great composers on offer. Only problem is that this symphony was recorded by Ondine with Ashkenazy on the helm, and this recording got many great 10/10 reviews, then there's one of the last Mackerras recordings which got - out of sentiment? - 10/10 reviews too.......... So there's flood of choice. But this one by BIS......... my first choice!
Great booklet notes; I only really don't like dark cover. I see it's the angel of death so it's very appropriate, but not for my taste. A little like an heavy metal album, Opeth or so.