Track Listing

1. Das Gefilde der Seligan, symphonic poem, Op. 21
2. Symphony No. 2 in E flat major, Op. 29: Lento - Allegro mosso
3. Symphony No. 2 in E flat major, Op. 29: Allegro giocoso
4. Symphony No. 2 in E flat major, Op. 29: Adagio, ma non troppo
5. Symphony No. 2 in E flat major, Op. 29: Lento - Allegro risouto

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #172844 in Music
• Released on: 2006-01-17
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Hybrid SACD - DSD
• Dimensions: .25 pounds

Customer Reviews

Weingartner's Best So Far
This is not just the best of the four Weingartner symphonies so far recorded, it's one of the best symphonies ever written. As one of the great conductors of all time, Weingartner was fully familiar with all the great music of Western civilization. In this symphony he seems to be writing the totality of all the great music that had gone before. I don't mean to say it's derivative, but rather it's the summation of all that's great & beautiful in Wastern music.

A good symphony to expand your collection
What I like about Weingartner's symphonies is his terrific understanding of orchestration. His use of instrumental combinations is especially masterly. What he lacks in originality, he gains in his confident handling of his music and form. I would describe his orchestration like Mahler's (combinations of woodwinds, strings). His thematic development unfolds slowly and dramatically in the way Bruckner does (and without the incessant tromolos!). For all of his other strengths, Weingarter does not succeed in creating memorable or powerful themes. The best ones he achieves are functional and pleasant. In response to the reviewer that criticises his music as merely derivative, a wholesale dismissal on those grounds is unwarranted and harsh. While it is true, Weingarter is not very original, there is much else to satisfy the sophisticated listener. The question should be, why listen only to the first water? The war horses of pops concerts and Beethoven symphonies is just not nourishing enough for listeners who desire freshness in their musical diets.

I wish I could here his works live in concert. That would be a real treat.

GOOD MUSIC THAT IMPROVES WITH LISTENING
I originally called this music derivative. I put it away for a month and a half and when I played it again I was delighted to hear that it is really good. Even original. I never judge a piece until I listen to it again and again. Glad I did this time. It is tonic and romantic. I bought this CD to familiarize myself with Weingartner. Now that I have I will buy more of him. I am happy to recommend this thoughtful meaningful composer.
My original review carried 3 stars. I would like to increase this to 4 but Amazon doesn't allow one to change this item in a review. Pity.