RECORDING OF THE MONTH
Antonin DVOŘÁK (1841-1904)
Symphony No. 8 in G major Op. 88 [37:57]
Johannes BRAHMS
(1833-1897)
Symphony No. 1 in C minor Op. 68 [43:04]
Czech Philharmonic
Orchestra/George Szell (Dvořák)
Swiss Festival Orchestra/George Szell (Brahms)
rec. live, Kunsthaus, Lucerne, Lucerne Festival, 30 August 1969, 19
August 1962
AUDITE 95.625 [81:06]
George Szell’s many recordings with the Cleveland Orchestra
are almost always characterised by their clear textures, firm rhythmic grasp
and fundamental musicality. His reputation as an orchestral dictator -
bully, even - may put some listeners off, but listening today one can forget
that and enjoy performances that grip from start to finish. The only concern
can be that there is too much control and too little spontaneity, reducing
the emotional temperature of the music.
That is not the case here with these two live performances at the
Lucerne Festival. In the Dvořák in particular the inflexibility
which is sometimes found in Szell’s studio recordings is wholly
absent. Not that even here Szell could be accused of being wilful, but
phrases are allowed to finish more naturally and minor tempo changes occur
with apparent spontaneity. The Czech Philharmonic in the late 1960s were at
the peak of their form and playing with an individuality in both wind and
strings which, as with so many orchestras, has to some degree been lost in
more recent years. Occasionally there are minor inaccuracies typical of any
concert performance, but these are rare and unimportant. The sound as
presented here from broadcast tapes is much more than tolerable for its
date, helped no doubt by Szell’s legendary ability to clarify
orchestral textures. I usually prefer applause to be omitted, but on this
occasion it is so obviously merited that I not merely tolerated it but even
welcomed it as being a natural reaction to such a superb performance.
The earlier performance of Brahms’ Symphony No. 1 has similar
virtues although the orchestra is perhaps less individual. I am unclear as
to whether the Swiss Festival Orchestra was a single permanent orchestra or
was recruited specifically for the Festival. Again, however, it is similar
in general approach to Szell’s studio recordings of the work but with
more freedom and more energy.
The booklet is a model of how to add to the listener’s
enjoyment of historic live performances, with photographs of Szell,
presumably in Lucerne but lacking details of dates or places, and a lengthy
and very interesting article on the conductor and the Festival by Malte
Lohmann. The cover indicates that these recordings were previously
unreleased. It is good that such excellent performances are now available
and so well presented on this generously filled disc.
John Sheppard
Masterwork Index: Brahms symphony 1 ~~ Dvorak symphony 8
It is good that such excellent performances are now available and so well presented on this generously filled disc.
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