Great d'Indy from the
Iceland Symphony Orchestra under
Rumon Gamba? Why not? It should be possible -- both technically and theoretically. In their recordings for Naxos and Chandos, the Icelandic musicians have shown themselves to be a fully professional, deeply dedicated, and tightly polished orchestra capable of playing music of their countrymen such as Jón Leifs and music by Scandinavians such as
Jean Sibelius with equal panache and power. And
Gamba, with his crisp technique, poised tempos, and sensitivity to color, has proved a remarkably able conductor in works by
Arnold and
Vaughan Williams. But some will rightly point out that there's less aesthetic distance between Scandinavia and England than there is between England and France, and that
Sibelius and
Vaughan Williams are aesthetically vastly removed from d'Indy's cool, clear Impressionism. And yet,
Gamba and the
Iceland Symphony turn in finely polished, vividly realized performances that have the textural clarity and the brilliant colors so characteristic of the French fin de siècle composer. The Second Symphony has been well-served by recordings in the past but this one has enough grace, energy and intensity to rival the best. The other works here, an orchestration of movements from the picture postcard Tableaux de voyage and a short suite of semi-oriental mood music called Karadec, may not be in the same league as the Second in terms of intellect and profundity, but they are nevertheless entirely beguiling works that will likely charm anyone who likes the symphony. It seems that no matter where they record, Chandos' sound is rich, deep, and vivid, and so it is here.