Schubert's Octet performed by members of the Fine Arts Quartet and New York Woodwind Quintet

From 1962, and my copy from an Everest LP, comes a very fine performance of Schubert's posthumous Octet.  The artists are the Fine Arts Quartet with members of the New York Woodwind Quintet. I transferred this some time ago and well, I'll just let this beautiful work, played by fine musicians, speak for itself!

DOWNLOAD

Incidental Music from Beethoven's King Stephen and The Ruins of Athens

Like Mozart, Haydn, and many others of the 18th and 19th centuries, Beethoven wrote a fair amount of "background" music to accompany plays, dramatic theatricals, public events, well, you name it. This kind of public commission was usually lucrative for a composer since the pay was pretty good and music from previous outings could be reworked and repackaged for a tidy sum. However, when evaluating the complete ouerve of a composer, this work is often dismissed, and coveniently forgotten, as being inconsequential.

This is too bad since the two works here, The music from King Stephen and The Ruins of Athens, contain some delightful, even inventive moments that provide an enjoyable and stimulating listen from time to time. I cannot think of anyone tackling King Stephen in recent memory but Ruins was programmed, and recorded by Beecham. Strangely, the great Sir Thomas had some sympathy for the score though in general, he was rather cold towards Beethoven. Go figure.

From a Vox Turnabout LP, dating from the late 60's, I think, the eminent scholar-conductor Hans Hubert Schonzeler leads sparkling performances of these scores. The orchestra is identified as the Berlin Symphony Orchestra though, I have my doubts if that then East German ensemble would have been placed at Schonzeler's disposal. Whatever the origination of the proceedings, Schonzeler does make a strong case for these works with rather crisp and well prepared readings. I believe that you will enjoy this fairly well recorded Vox effort. It is lesser Beethoven but the handprint is moset definitely there!

As a filler, from an Everest Counterpoint edition, I've included Beethoven's German Dances as realized by Rene Leibowitz and what is claimed to be the French National Orchestra. These "lollipops" were recorded c. 1956 or so, I would say. Like all of Leibowitz's work, enthusiasm and good taste abound. It really was too bad that a man of Leibowitz's stature had to wait until the tail end of his career in order to record with a top notch ensemble, that being the RPO. The bulk of Leibowitz's recordings originate from Paris and often the orchestral contributions are not up to the highest standards of the day. Still, these miniatures round out a program dedicated to the byways of Beethoven.


DOWNLOAD LEIBOWITZ

DOWNLOAD SCHONZELER

Khachaturian and Tchaikovsky conducted by Dimitri Mitropoulos

Anything conducted by Dimitri Mitropoulos is always welcome, as far as my opinion counts. A titan of a musician but more importantly a pillar of decency, generosity, and honesty, Mitropoulos' interpretations are so individual and charged, that quite simply, there is no way to peg him into a category. What one gets with Mitropoulos is a well thought out performance that usually brims with an electricity that can not be explained by mere mortal! Here, we have two works that appeal to Mitropoulos' creativity and imagination: the Khachaturian Piano Concerto and the Pathetique Symphony of Tchaikovsky.

The Khachaturian concerto features Oscar Levant as soloist. Levant is one of those pianists whose star rose quite high during his time but today, he is mostly forgotten. In this concerto, he and Mitropoulos prove strong partners and they collaborate to make this music sound more interesting then it really is. For the most part, Khachaturian was a second rate composer, prone to effect over substance, and his work can fall to the banal in the wrong hands. Fortunately, here are two musicians that believe in this work and play it for what it is worth.

Tchaikovsky's sixth symphony is, of course, a whole other matter. Consider this: the Pathetique was the greatest Russian symphony for some 60 years until, I think, Shostakovich's 10th surpassed it for power, emotion, orchestration, and overall structural integrity. In Mitropoulos's hands, this  masterpiece of Tchaikovsky's moves to another plane altogether. The emotion, the soul of Tchaikovsky, is exposed in its rawest, basest form. This is, quite simply, a totally organic experience that will tire you because it makes you completely focus on it for 40+ minutes. It just pulls you in; this is the magic of Dimitri Mitropoulos at his very finest.

The Khachaturian on this CBS Special Products disc dates from 1950 and the Odyssey issue of the Tchaikovsky was recorded in 1956.

DOWNLOAD KHACHATURIAN

DOWNLOAD TCHAIKOVSKY

Dean Dixon and Howard Hanson conduct American Masters of the mid 20th century

Catching up on some transfers since I've basically been tied to the house this weekend with a queasy stomach. Perhaps its the chicken I ate the other night....

Here's some American music of the middle part of the last century. My pick here is the 10 inch (in honor of Buster) that I picked up a while back of Dean Dixon conducting Walter Piston's 2nd symphony with the "American Recording Society Orchestra." Recorded around 1950, it is the label's ARS-1 and the results of this first issue are absolutely thrilling. In my opinion, a composer could not ask for more powerful advocacy then what Dixon puts forth here. Orchestral playing is in spades here, a remarkable achievement for a pickup orchestra of sorts and this is possibly Dixon's finest recording of anything - it is THAT good. I am VERY happy with this transfer and I hope that you the listener will derive much pleasure from it. Piston's second is truly THE American symphony!

Howard Hanson conducts the balance of the program which includes Sessions' Suite from the Black Maskers, Hovhaness' Prelude and Quadruple Fugue, Barber's Overture to the School for Scandal and Adagio for Strings, and LoPresti's The Masks. I like the last piece very much; LoPresti was a rather prolific composer and arranger and he has a firm grasp on orchestral textures along with a solid gift in melody. Hanson, of course, proves a strong advocate of the music in this program since he was well acquainted with each composer in both a professional and personal setting. All composers write in a highly listenable vein which is bent on a conservative streak. Nuthin' wrong with that!

I think these compositions make for a nice, quite representative program of a very rich period in the musical life of my country.

DOWNLOAD

Berlioz - Symphonie Funebre et Triomphale from Paris

My esteemed colleague Squirrel inpired me to quickly transfer this old lp, which had been waiting around for a suitable disc mate for sometime. This, along with Squirrel's transfer of Scherchen's "Harold in Italy" will fill out a nice 79 minute cd for you!

Very much a period or event piece, the Symphonie funebre et triomphale is Berlioz at his somewhat excessive in orchestration effects and, probably least imaginative in actual writing. This huge symphony is certainly not on the musical level of Symphonie Fantastique, Harold in Italy or the master's operatic endeavors, but it does serve its purpose with merit and is great fun to have a listen to from time to time. Nonesuch released this during the American Bicentennial year so I cannot help wonder if it was a small contribution to the outpouring of martial and festive music at the time.

This Nonesuch recording of the work  is one of many that conductor Desire Dondeyne made of the work, going all the way back to the 1950's. The first recording of Funebre, on Urania, is advertised from Vienna  and conducted by one Ernst Graf however many have speculated that Graf is really Dondeyne in pseudonym. Whatever the case, the man had a long association with the work and his authority is indisputed. Incidentally, the version here is without chorus in the Apotheosis though Dondeyne did use the chorus on other occasions. The version here represents Berlioz's original scoring of the work.

Have some fun, crank it up! There are a few loud bass drum whacks that will peel the plaster off of the walls! Vive le France!

DOWNLOAD

Arthur Fiedler conducts the music of Johann Strauss "the waltz king"

A wonderful recent acquisition we have here. Music from Johann Strauss the younger's two magical operetta's Die Fledermaus and The Gypsy Baron performed by the marvelous Boston Pops under Arthur Fiedler. Released in 1960, this Dynagroove stereo lp captures the Pops-Fiedler relationship at its very height of musical prowess.

You know, many folks over the years have tried to degrade the achievements of Arthur Fiedler. Critics derided his rather unorthodox baton technique, musicians complained of his somewhat irascible manner, and the public failed to recognize his complete musical gifts, seeing him as a spinner of popular tunes in an orchestral setting. All this aside, Fiedler was a remarkably well educated and cosmopolitan man, an excellent violinist, and a man who had a knack for understanding the business side of things, in other words, he knew what would sell and increase the prestige of Boston as a world musical center. As a conductor, Fiedler's recordings and live performances were scrupulously prepared and the musical results were unfailingly excellent and enjoyable. Fiedler really, really tried hard to gain prominence as a "serious" conductor and perhaps this is why he never put out a bad product.

This collection of Strauss will put a smile on your face. The younger Johann Strauss had that rare gift, like John Philip Sousa, of continuously creating enchanting melodies that both uplifted and were memorable, no easy feat! Fiedler takes full advantage of this palette and his splendid orchestra brings style, immaculate execution and unfailing wit to every waltz, polka, galop,and march. I tell you, when this repertoire is played by a first class orchestra with a sympathetic conductor, the results are mighty impressive all around. No less a genius than Carlos Kleiber found his greatest joy when conducting the music of the "waltz king."

As a filler, I've included 6 polkas of Strauss, from an early 50's mono recording, featuring Fiedler and Pops.

NEW DOWNLOAD

More from the Sinequan Collector's Series: Dvorak, Brahms and Strauss

A while back, I posted one of these Sinequan Collector's series which featured two of Brahms' trios played by BSO principals. Here's another in this distinguished series which features Brahms' Clarinet Trio and Dvorak's Wind Serenade. I've also included, from another lp  in the series, the Strauss wind serenade op. 7 for good measure.

The clarinet trio features Gino Cioffi on clarinet, Samuel Mayes playing cello, and Ralph Berkowitz performing the keyboard duties. Cioffi was longtime principal clarinet of the BSO (prior to the great Harold Wright) and I think, a most consumate ensemble player. Samuel Mayes, we know as one of the great orchestral cellists of the 20th century, and Ralph Berkowitz's fame came as a favorite accompanist to Gregor Piatigorsky and assistant to Serge Koussevitzky. What strikes me about this performance is that the artists blend so well, a sure sign that they are listening to one another!

The Boston Woodwind Ensemble is featured in the Dvorak and Strauss works. The playing is extremely assured but I must confess that I know nothing about Eric Simon, the director. I believe that he might be a clarinetist, composer and teacher. Simon does get some terrific virtuoso playing from this group though I'm not sure if they BSO members or, if the ensemble is assembled from Boston's rich freelance community. Needless to say, I especially love the Dvorak, another bit of proof of that composer's great understanding of various instruments and ensembles. Strauss' serenade is a neat little "fluff" piece, sort of Beecham lollipop!

There will be more of the Sinequan Collector's Series coming up in the weeks ahead: Brahms' Piano Quartet op 25, Thuille's Sextet, a Samuel Mayes solo disc and Mozart's Horn Concertos played by James Stagliano, to name a few of the titles. I am so glad that I discovered this small treasure trove of forgotten records!

DOWNLOAD

Sir Thomas Beecham conducts Schubert with the RPO

Friday night, beautiful weather, glass of wine on the porch, and Thomas Beecham in Schubert. Fits like a glove!

I've always admired Beecham for his way of getting lesser music to jump off of the page and take hold of the listener, all in the very best of taste. Here are Schubert's first two symphonies, teenage works yet full of mature ideas and pleasing melodies. Only a Beecham can transform juvenilia into something worthy of a more seasoned artist; how he does this remains a mystery to me. As with all Schubert - Beecham recordings, this is indeed indispensible and his presentation will charm and delight you. Beecham had that quality...je ne sais quoi...yes, what can I say?

Recordings date from the early 50's.

DOWNLOAD

Heroic Music for Organ and Brass with E Power Biggs and members of the BSO

 As I mentioned before, I'm a long time trumpeter and, when the mood strikes me,  I love to hear good brass and organ music. So, here are the contents of a Columbia Masterworks 2 LP set  featuring E Power Biggs with the New England Brass Ensemble (members of the BSO). Music featured is by Giovanni Gabrieli, Frescobaldi, Telemann, Handel, Clarke and Purcell. 

E Power Biggs kind of gets short changed nowadays. I've known a couple organists that considered him rather wooden in style with technique that they labeled hardly exceptional. However, in spite of any inadequacies that he might have had, as we all do, Biggs played an extremely important, and serious, role in disseminating much organ based literature to the general public. In addition, Biggs worked with first class musicians throughout his career and that is exemplified by the presence here of the BSO brass, conductor Richard Burgin, and the fine scholar/harpsichordist Daniel Pinkham.

The contents of these lps are festive and joyous. This is music to lift one's spirits and the musicians do just that. I want to point out that the great Armando Ghitalla is contributing his very best trumpet work here; Ghitalla's influence on a whole generation of orchestral trumpeters cannot be understated, his ability to phrase and project great warmth is captured here at the height of his powers. The second trumpet is Andre Come, long the BSO second chair, a down to earth man who absolutely never moved a muscle (outside of his diaphragm and lips) when he played. Stiffness aside, Come was a durable and consistent player and, quite versatile at that! Come really could swing when playing in the "Pops."

Biggs plays on the Arp Schnitger organ at Harvard's Busch Reisinger Museum and I presume everything was recorded there. This edition was released in 1973 but I think that the earliest of the recordings date from the late 60's.

Savor away heroic brass and organ! More Boston based music will be on the way...
DOWNLOAD