Philharmonia Orchestra - Symphony No. 2 Testament Klassisk - Import 2 CD

Credits:

Philharmonia Orchestra

Description:

Unreleased recordings of Klemperer’s beloved “Resurrection” make their debut from the BBC Archives! A superb stereo recording of one of his greatest performances! A live recording featuring two works that were particularly close to Klemperer’s heart—“Resurrection” and Mozart’s Symphony No. 29—performed together in a single program. Because this performance has become so legendary, the date of its BBC broadcast (January 20, 1964) has taken on a life of its own and is widely recognized in the literature; however, the actual performance took place on December 19 of the previous year. Klemperer did not hold all of Mahler’s works in equal esteem. This is evident from his performance and recording history: he performed Symphony No. 1 only once, and never took up Symphonies Nos. 6 or 8. Amidst this, the fact that several recordings of the “Resurrection” have been preserved, along with various anecdotes, suggests just how special this work was. Klemperer touches on the following episode in his memoir, *Minor Recollections*. In 1905, when Klemperer was still a student, he was entrusted with conducting the orchestra during a concert by Oscar Fried, who had also conducted the premiere of the “Resurrection.” When Mahler himself appeared at the rehearsal, Klemperer went to ask him if he was satisfied with the band section. However, the reply was, “Absolutely terrible. It’s far too loud!” When Klemperer countered, “But the score says ‘very loudly (sehr schmetternd)’,” Mahler answered: “That’s true. But from far, far away.” Klemperer took these words to heart and worked tirelessly to ensure the section sounded very soft during the actual concert. After the concert, Mahler came to the dressing room, found Klemperer, took his hand, and praised him, saying, “It was wonderful.” “How happy that made me!” Beginning with this anecdote, the performance history of the “Resurrection” continues through the first official recording in 1951 (VOX) and the EMI studio recording, but there is no doubt that this particular recording is the finest in terms of both performance and sound quality. Just listening to the opening leaves a vivid impression; it is a performance in which Klemperer’s distinctive approach is clearly evident. His method of unifying all five movements and constructing a single, monumental symphony from the minutest details of each section of the orchestra is something only Klemperer could achieve. The same holds true for Mozart. This is the fourth (!) release on TESTAMENT alone, but given that it is a stereo recording and coincides with the orchestra’s peak period, it is destined to become the definitive recording. In Mozart, the extremely slow tempo at the beginning is startling, but the necessity of that tempo gradually becomes clear. It is a sense of tempo designed to deliver each phrase—as if each were alive—to the audience with clarity and vividness. This is a rare, masterful performance in which the divine quality inherent in Mozart’s works is expressed naturally.

Tracklisting:

1. Symphony no 29 in A major, K 201 (186a)
2. Symphony no 2 in C minor "Resurrection"