If any proof is needed to show the extraordinary rapport
Gustavo Dudamel has developed with the
Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra, the ensemble he has led as music director since 2006, this box set provides ample evidence.
Dudamel is a charismatic and energetic conductor, and the connection he makes with his musicians is almost always electric, yielding compelling results even when the interpretations may not fully convince. His live performances of
Anton Bruckner's Symphony No. 9,
Jean Sibelius' Symphony No. 2, and
Carl Nielsen's Symphonies No. 4 and No. 5 impress with their power and coherence, and whether or not they become a listener's favorite performances seems to make little difference, because
Dudamel's goal is not to be definitive, but to be exciting and interesting. His "in the moment" approach comes across best in live recordings, and these performances from 2008 to 2010 show much of the same spontaneity of his recordings with the
Simón Bolívar Symphony Youth Orchestra of Venezuela, which he conducted in several acclaimed DG releases. Fans of this maestro will already know of his past successes, so the excellence of this set will come as no surprise. But newcomers to
Dudamel will find this package engrossing and satisfying, and return to these performances several times. DG's rich and vibrant reproduction is superb.