Sawallisch has here a splendid orchestra (one of the clearest and most transparent of the time), beautifully captured in the unusual context of Lukaskirche Dresden. The registration period, condensed on a few days (the first two weeks of September 1972), adds to the impression of cohesion and consistency that emerges listening.
This box offers four symphonies and Opening, scherzo and finale. In each of the symphonies, Sawallisch sets the tone, imposing a voltage to each of the movements, pulling his orchestra sounds admirable, taking advantage of contrasts and sharp, clear colors. Certainly the fourth suffers compared with Furtwängler version, which adopts a more restrained tempo and string the attacks are sharper and vigorous. Certainly, the fourth movement of the Third Symphony called Rhenish, paint the cathedral of Cologne, could be more mystical. But the breath, energy, and especially the clarity of the construction and orchestration are exciting.
