From an overrated conductor
Why is it that most Rattle recordings do not pass muster? For his compatriots, he is wonderful, but for the rest of us he is not more than a mediocre conductor who has made to believe that he is great. He has been blessed with wonderful orchestras, soloists, recording contracts, and yet, most of these recordings end up in the "Sonderangebote" section. Time is the great equalizer, then. I feel bad for the wonderful Bavarian Orchestra, under his helm now. He was received like a movie star, and it made my stomach turn. This performance, in view of the competition, is well played, better sung, and awfully conducted. With no special sound to talk about. A mere run through to what it should be a spiritual journey.