Selected comparisons
London Philharmonic Orchestra/Boult HMV 5
73447 2 rev. Sept 2002
Columbia Symphony Orchestra/Walter Sony SNYC
64470SMK
Vienna Philharmonic/Furtwängler Testament
SBT 1142
Philarmonia/Toscanini Testament SBT 3167 rev.
April 2000
Philarmonia/Klemperer EMI Classics 5 62742
2 rev. March 2004
NBC SO/Arturo Toscanini BMG-RCA Red Seal 82876
62322 2 rev. March 2005
Brahms’ First
Symphony is an emotional whirlpool written after many
abandoned and altered attempts - e.g. Piano Concerto No.
1 - by a great composer who found it difficult to shake off
the shadow of Beethoven. The opening shows no holding back
and truly great performances leave you totally immersed.
I have previously heard LPs of this recording prior to presenting
them to a very dear friend, now deceased, who introduced
me to my wife! I have also had and reacquired the set reviewed
by Rob Barnett where he found the sound so rough. Well the
good news is that this remastered edition sounds much better.
My problem has previously been that Szell lacked that degree
of intensity and spontaneity so necessary in this work. I
don’t want to labour the point about Szell rehearsing everything
so much as to prevent the music breathing. In fact this is
a fine performance with great playing. If you really like
this rest assured this edition will do well. As you can see
from the above list there are many classic performances and
I’ve left out modern ones by Nikolaus
Harnoncourt, Claudio Abbado and Sir Charles Mackerras!
I’ve
now played this version five times and compared it with old
favourites and it’s when you play, say Klemperer - not always
one my favourites, that I feel this work is better served.
Szell’s pace throughout is fine and the finale is very good
on its own terms, but turn to Klemperer in the finale and
with the “Philharmonia” and Legge’s production they combine
to produce a sound and tension in a quite different league.
For affection and a really splendid recording by an 85 year
old go to Walter. I really enjoyed his later recording and
there’s a mono one worth snapping up! Furtwängler’s 1947
version thrilled me when I heard it on the radio sixteen
years ago and this one from later on is well worth acquiring.
Toscanini’s RCA set was reissued firstly on CD in 1990. I
can remember talking to my late Dad about the excitement
of this performance when it was aired on BBC Radio 3. Many
have suggested that Szell was influenced by the Italian maestro.
I returned to those RCA recordings and whilst they are over
fifty years old and have a cramped sound I found the emotion
missing with Szell … and what a finale! The famous BBC recordings
of Toscanini and the Philharmonia from RAH in 1952 are classics
despite a noisy audience. They remain recommended listening
for all Brahms lovers. So Szell is fine but not in my top
five but if you want to replace your LP or CD go ahead with
confidence.
The Haydn
Variations, the theme for which Haydn apparently didn’t
write are a special favourite of mine and must surely have
influenced the enigmatic Elgar! This is a good rendition
and if you don’t have the piece it’s fine as an introduction.
I thought showed more of Szell’s personality than some
works but I still find it slightly matter-of-fact compared
to certain versions. I prefer Karajan, Furtwängler or Walter
and sadly the fact that there are no separate tracks for
each variation doesn’t help. It is nonetheless a fine rendition
of a marvellous piece with truly splendid playing. Despite
a certain edge at times this is a good recording capturing
the timpani at the end!
The
five Hungarian Dances inhabit a different world and
are performed by another orchestra and conductor! I don’t
understand why some other Szell Brahms could not be found.
These performances of charming works orchestrated by Dvořák
are truly delightful. To me this is the best part of the
disc. If that sounds unfair you really have to hear them.
Ormandy and the Philadelphia are tremendous in all works
and what a pity not to have them in the other works or to
have an all Szell disc. These recordings are being offered
at a higher price than their last incarnation so it seems
odd to have two conductors; especially as they are so so
different. Try track 8 (No. 19) to see what I mean; shades
of Stokowski, himself no mean Brahmsian. The languid No.
20 is followed by 21 which I know less well than the others.
For a complete set of all 21 dances I suggest that Abbado
is supreme. DG 4775424 is a grand value double and includes the serenades; also
the VPO offer a download!
Well
I’m delighted to have heard Szell again even if there are
many greater versions in my opinion. I think this should
have been budget price though.
David R Dunsmore
See also review
by Rob Barnett of original CD release
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Cleveland Orchestra/George
Szell (Sym, Vars) 
