BEETHOVEN: SYMPHONIES NOS. 7 & 8. Chicago...

BEETHOVEN: SYMPHONIES NOS. 7 & 8. Chicago Symphony conducted by Sir Georg Solti. London 425 525-2. No surprises here--the performers are too familiar to us and to each other, and Solti too straightforward a conductor. Neither of these performances catch fire with the kind of emotional abandon and rhythmic vivacity others have found. But they’re nevertheless surprisingly attractive in their plain-spoken sturdiness, effective despite (or because?) of the steady sobriety of their unfolding. Underlying the apparent effortlessness of the playing, however, is a firm hand at the helm, and an unselfish intellect that knows this music doesn’t require much prodding to work.