Berliner Philharmonic Orchestra - Tragisk Ouverture, D Testament Klassisk - Import CD

Credits:

Berliner Philharmonic Orchestra

Description:

Stereo recording, previously unreleased! The essence of George Szell is captured here in its purest form! June 1969: A live performance with the Berlin Philharmonic during Szell’s final years—Schumann’s Symphony No. 2, R. Strauss’s “Don Juan,” and more! A miraculous live performance that surpasses the vivid excitement of his 1970 visit for the Osaka Expo—a performance that leaves one filled with deep emotion and awe! The master George Szell passed away after leaving a vivid impression during his visit for the 1970 Osaka Expo. Now, 35 years later, we are pleased to present a super-rare, previously unreleased live recording that has suddenly emerged, coinciding with the Aichi Expo. “My mission is to fuse the respective strengths of American and European music. I wish to combine the fresh, brilliant sound and the virtuosity of American orchestras with the traditional sensibility, warmth of expression, and refined formal beauty unique to Europe. ” (From Szell’s own statement upon assuming the directorship of the Cleveland Orchestra) … It is easy to see from the numerous recordings preserved by CBS/Sony and EMI just how brilliantly this vision was realized, but this live recording proves that he exerted a similar influence on European orchestras as well. On June 26, 1969, Szell prepared a main program for this concert featuring the Tragic Overture, “Don Juan,” and Schumann’s Symphony No. 2, a work he had loved dearly throughout his life. All were pieces in which Szell excelled; in the Tragic Overture, he unfolds a truly magnificent interpretation of Brahms while maintaining a strict formal beauty. In “Don Juan,” the Cleveland Orchestra—his personal ensemble—brings its signature, exquisitely refined and stylish approach, combined with the rich, lush sound of the Berlin Philharmonic (which could be called the “Karajan sound”), to overwhelm the listener with a breathtaking scale (the performance time of 16 minutes and 45 seconds is quite leisurely by Szell’s standards). Furthermore, the roar of the horns that appears midway through the piece is truly spine-tingling! Moreover, the solo by concertmaster Schwabe, who showers the audience with a lustrous tone as smooth as dripping water, is exquisite—hearing this alone makes the recording well worth the price. And finally, we have Szell’s signature piece, Schumann’s Symphony No. 2. As always, his expression is meticulously crafted down to the finest detail, and he delivers a thrilling performance by making the most of the BPO’s functional beauty. What is truly astonishing is how he has this formidable BPO completely in the palm of his hand, manipulating it at will to flawlessly embody his signature style. This is far beyond the level of a mere guest conductor. Nevertheless, I can only feel profound awe at Cell’s skill in delivering a performance of such breathtaking quality that it’s hard to believe one’s ears. Incidentally, from January to February of that same year, he performed this piece with the Cleveland Orchestra at venues including their home base, Severance Hall, and Boston Symphony Hall; there is no doubt that these performances served as groundwork for his guest appearance with the BPO. And so, here we have the birth of a miraculous performance of Schumann’s Second Symphony—a masterpiece worthy of being called the maestro’s finest artistry. I cannot help but feel immense joy at being able to hear it in this high-quality stereo recording, which captures the live atmosphere so well.