Claudio Abbado - Marce & Dance (2008)

The sad thing about this 2008 Deutsche Grammophon disc is not the music, which is unfailingly bright and cheerful, nor the program, which is consistently surprising and delightful, nor the performances, which are unendingly smiling and life-affirming. The sad thing about this disc compiled and conducted by Claudio Abbado called Marce & Danze (Marches and Dances) is that the Italian maestro is no longer performing or recording as nearly much he used to owing to the swift decline of his health. Thus most of the performances here were recorded in the early '90s when the conductor was at the peak of his powers. With the talents of the Wiener and Berliner Philharmonikers, the Chicago and London symphonies, as well as three other top-notch ensembles, Abbado crafts performances brimming with light, color, and energy. And with a program that moves gracefully from Mozart, Schubert, and Beethoven to Berlioz, Hindemith, and Prokofiev, Abbado creates a collection filled with charming contrasts and piquant juxtapositions. Anyone looking for a disc of classical music at its most approachable and enjoyable will surely get pleasure from this release, but those who have known and admired Abbado's work for the past 40 years may find it just a bit sad. Deutsche Grammophon's digital sound is typically clear, crisp, and detailed.