The character of the Cleveland Orchestra seems to have changed under Dohnanyi's leadership. Under the rule of Szell and then Maazel they had a self-consciously brilliant virtuoso style and a rather hard-edged sound. Now they seem to have developed a more sonorous, deep-toned style of playing more suited to the romantic Austro/German repertoire—though I'm sure they can still scale the heights of extrovert virtuosity when that is required. The orchestra's now rather more European sound is here reinforced by a very good, warm, well-balanced recording.
A good, determined, gritty opening to the symphony impresses at once; then the main section of the first movement moves forward weightily and firmly at a slowish tempo in a straightforward, unvarnished style—it's an objective approach, as one would expect from Dohnanyi, but imbued with enough feeling to prevent mere plainness: the movement is well shaped, and has a well-judged climax. The slow movement also eschews any idiosyncracies: it possesses a noble, loftily reflective character. Then Dohnanyi takes the third movement in a comparatively swift, neatly pointed fashion to make an effective contrast with the craggy outer movements. He creates a dramatic, athletic opening to the finale: the big main theme is projected vigorously and the movement developes excitingly to a clear, triumphantly stated coda. All in all this is a very satisfying performance.
Walter's CBS version is more soft-grained, more lyrical, and most distinguished, though occasionally there is a certain lack of energy in his conducting—I do feel that sometimes in these late recording sessions his great age rather weighed on him. His earlier mono New york version certainly had more vitality. Wand's EMI performance is full of character, with a surprisingly swift, urgent, first movement introduction, and a glowing, expressive quality throughout: it is old-fashionedly romantic in style but in a way which always preserves the music's natural shape. A comparison between the subjective Wand and the objective Dohnanyi presents an interesting study. Personally I'd choose Wand (only available on LP as part of a mid-price two-LP set—EX155532-3, 2/87), but others will prefer Dohnanyi's approach.'