TOSCANINI Brahms: The 1948 Cycle (1948) - Pristine PABX044

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overviewfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5fBRAHMSSymphony No. 1Symphony No. 2Symphony No. 3Symphony No. 4Serenade No. 1Serenade No. 2Double ConcertoPiano Concerto No. 2Tragic Overture Haydn VariationsGesang Der ParzenHungarian Dance No. 1Academic Festival OvertureNBC Symphony Orchestraconducted by Arturo ToscaniniLive broadcast recordings, 1948578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9review_titlefb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9review_quotefb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9review_bodyfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9main_samplefb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5fsamples/PASC713.mp3578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab1_labelfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5fProducer's Note578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab1_typefb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5fcontent578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab1_contentfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5fClick below to expand note: TOSCANINI Brahms: The 1948 Cycle, Volume 1 (1948) - Pristine PASC701 In the summer of 2007, having recently developed the basic techniques behind Pristine’s XR remastering system, and also recently received an exceptional donation of several hundred tape reels, I set to work remastering the 1948 broadcast performance of Brahms’ Piano Concerto No. 2, as played by Vladimir Horowitz with Toscanini conducting the NBC Symphony Orchestra.The release was well-received: “The two Horowitz performances I truly loved were his 1930 Rachmaninoff Concerto No. 3, a relatively weak piece which he makes sparkle and sing, probably because he had recently coached it with the composer himself and because the conductor was the great Albert Coates, and the 1943 Red Cross concert performance of the Tchaikovsky First with Toscanini. That 1943 Tchaikovsky sings and flows in a way that the May 1941 recording cannot even begin to equal.Now I’ve added a third performance to that brief list: this February 1948 concert version of the Brahms Second. It bears the same resemblance to the April 1940 recording of the work as the 1943 Tchaikovsky does to its 1941 counterpart. It’s not so much a matter of tempo as of phrasing, of tension and release in all the right spots, where the studio recording was all about tension without much release. Even in the piano’s first entrance, which is supposed to sound relaxed and warm, Horowitz in 1940 jumps the beat and cranks up the volume. Here, in this 1948 concert version, he does not.And the difference doesn’t stop there. Toscanini, obviously inspired, brings the first movement to new dramatic heights without overreaching or compressing the tempo too much. The electrical charge that both men put into the music is palpable; one can easily envision the NBC audience sitting on the edge of their seats. At the end of the movement, though directed not to applaud in the printed program, the audience breaks into a convulsive frenzy …This performance has, of course, surfaced on CD before, but it is safe to say that Pristine Classical’s remastering is by far the best. Though there is still a bad moment in the middle of the first movement, undoubtedly the result of a permanently damaged acetate, the sound is generally full and vibrant. Restoration engineer Andrew Rose has also managed to bring a fullness of tone out of Horowitz’s Steinway missing from the studio recording. After hearing this performance, I feel I can safely discard all my other recordings of the work, save the similarly excellent 1929 reading by Arthur Rubinstein, playing with Albert Coates and the London Symphony.” – Fanfare magazine, 2008 That was quite a while ago. In 2011 I returned to the recording with newly-available pitch stabilisation software to make further improvements to it. Now, 12 years later, I’m afraid that release is now rendered completely obsolete. Thanks to access to previously unheard, immaculate source material this recording leaps into an entirely new dimension, as do the rest of the recording in this series. Toscanini’s Twelfth NBC season, regarded as perhaps his finest with the orchestra, began on 23 October, 1948, with the first of a six-programme Brahms cycle, of which the first broadcast featured the 2nd Piano Concerto with Horowitz. This first volume of that cycle brings you the first two broadcasts in full – the lengthy introductions and final applause and pay-offs are unedited but tracked separately should you wish to skip them. You’re hearing the programmes as they might have sounded in the control room – and in far better sound quality than was available to radio listeners in 1948. In fact, that XR remastering has almost certainly rendered the sound quality better than those 1948 sound booths could have managed – conveying instead something far closer to the sound heard by the studio audiences than ever before. Truly a special treat – and with two more volumes to come, one that I am sure will prove essential listening for many over months and years to come.Andrew Rose TOSCANINI Brahms: The 1948 Cycle, Volume 2 (1948) - Pristine PASC710 TOSCANINI CONCERT AGAIN IS TELECASTMaking His Third Appearance on Medium, Conductor Leads Fourth Brahms ProgramArturo Toscanini went before the television cameras for the third time yesterday when his regular Saturday concert with the NBC Symphony was both telecast and broadcast from studio 8-H in Radio City. The program was the fourth of eight he is devoting to the works of Brahms.The problems of the cameramen were reduced during part of the program, for the second selection was the Liebeslieder Waltzes, in which they did not have to capture a whole orchestra. The work was performed by a chorus of only seventeen singers, with Arthur Balsam and Joseph Kahn at two pianos.In this there were interesting double images, the handsome conductor being seen in close-up while the chorus was seen on a smaller scale in a dimmer exposure that gave the illusion of showing behind and through his head. And throughout there was a studied attempt to relate the camera work with the music.But the conviction was deepened in one watcher that concerts should be heard and not seen. The images on the screen fought for the mind's attention and generally won out over the ears that were trying to concentrate on the music's sound. And the images certainly succeeded in shifting the emphasis from the music to the performers.This stress on performers rather than on music is one of the things bedeviling music in this country. If television concerts catch on, it is sure to be accelerated. The likelihood of wide popularity, though, is still to be determined.Because there were only three cameras in stationary positions and they were obliged to pick up their shots under concert conditions, yesterday's program on the television screen seemed like an inferior motion picture.The big work was the concerto in A minor for violin and 'cello. This allowed for a good opening. During the brief orchestral introduction Mr. Toscanini was seen in close-up. Then Frank Miller, the 'cellist, began alone and the cameras switched to him. When Mischa Mischakoff, the violinist, came in, the camera turned on him alone with the whole orchestra not being shown till its turn came after the two long solos.But after this one grew tired of the switching back and forth from a limited number of shots at fixed distances. It was good to return to the studio for the closing Hungarian Dance No. 1 in G minor, where the orchestra could he heard in its full splendor and the eyes were no longer limited to a small rectangular screen.R. P., The New York Times, Sunday November 14, 1948 TOSCANINI Brahms: The 1948 Cycle, Volume 3 (1948) - Pristine PASC713 TOSCANINI ENDS CYCLELeads 6th Concert in Brahms Series With NBC SymphonyArturo Toscanini last night gave the sixth and final concert in the Brahms cycle he has been conducting this season with the NBC Symphony. The program, which ran from 6:30 to 7:30, was given in Studio 8-H, which was filled to its 1,200 capacity."Gesang der Parzen" opened the broadcast. Thirty-seven men and twenty-six women from the Robert Shaw Chorale sang the six-part chorus with the orchestra. Then Mr. Toscanini led the Fourth Symphony. Next week he will conduct works by Mozart, Dvořák and Wagner.The New York Times, Sunday November 28, 1948 This final volume in our Toscanini 1948 Brahms Cycle series brings you the fifth and sixth concerts in their entirety. In addition to excellent readings of the Third and Fourth Symphonies, together with the Variations on a Theme by Haydn, there was an unusual addition to the Toscanini repertoire in the performance on 27 November of the Gesang der Parzen, or "Song of the Fates". It's unique in the conductor's broadcast and recorded canon: a work composed in the summer of 1882 and first performed in Basel, Switzerland, it's a setting for 6-part chorus and orchestra of Goethe's Iphigenie auf Tauris. Writing about Toscanini's Brahms performances in "Arturo Toscanini, The NBC Years", Mortimer H. Frank was enthusiastic in his praise: "The sole NBC performance of Gesang der Parzen is Toscanini’s only American presentation of the work and possibly the only one he conducted. Written for chorus and orchestra, it remains to this day a relatively unknown score, and Toscanini’s inclusion of it in his 1948 Brahms cycle stands as one of his most imaginative strokes of programming. At the time of the performance, no recording of the work had been made. Toscanini’s reading—in its rock-steady rhythm, colorful orchestral transparency, and sensitivity to the harmonic richness characteristic of Brahms—suggests that the work deserves more frequent performances. As reproduced in the RCA CD transfer, the sound is especially good for its vintage. Here is one of many examples typifying a little-acknowledged side of Toscanini’s repertory: its inclusion of forgotten works worthy of resurrection." As with the previous volumes of this series, I was able to use near-mint source discs for this production, and the sound quality captured on these direct-cut discs is nothing less than superb for recordings made over 75 years ago. There was some light surface noise on the fifth programme discs, though nothing too intrusive, whilst the sixth programme was especially clean and clear.Andrew Rose 578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab1_cover_thumbnail1_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab1_cover_thumbnail2_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab1_cover_download_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab1_sample1_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab1_sample2_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab1_sample3_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab1_sample4_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab1_sample5_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab1_sample6_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab2_labelfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5fFull Track Listing578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab2_typefb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5ftrack_listing578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab2_contentfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5fClick below to expand track listing: TOSCANINI Brahms: The 1948 Cycle, Volume 1 (1948) - Pristine PASC701 BRAHMS The 1948 Toscanini NBC Cycle, Volume Onedisc one (59:32)1. Introduction to Brahms Cycle Programme 1 (1:55)2. BRAHMS Serenade No. 1 in D major, Op. 111st mvt. - Allegro molto (10:22)BRAHMS Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat major, Op. 833. 1st mvt. - Allegro non troppo (16:23)4. 2nd mvt. - Allegro appassionato (8:19)5. 3rd mvt. - Andante (10:40)6. 4th mvt. - Allegretto grazioso (8:29)Vladimir Horowitz, piano7. Conclusion to Brahms Cycle Programme 1 (3:24)Broadcast of 23 October, 1948disc two (59:31)1. Introduction to Brahms Cycle Programme 2 (0:50)2. BRAHMS Tragic Overture, Op. 81 (14:27)BRAHMS Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Op. 683. 1st mvt. - Un poco sostenuto - Allegro (12:09)4. 2nd mvt. - Andante sostenuto (8:18)5. 3rd mvt. - Un poco allegretto e grazioso (4:32)6. 4th mvt. - Adagio - Allegro non troppo, ma con brio (16:24)7. Conclusion to Brahms Cycle Programme 2 (2:51)Broadcast of 30 October, 1948 NBC Symphony Orchestra conducted by Arturo ToscaniniBroadcasts from Studio 8H, NBC Radio City, New YorkIntroduced by Ben GrauerXR remastered by Andrew RoseArtwork based on photographs of Brahms and ToscaniniTotal duration: 1hr 59:03 TOSCANINI Brahms: The 1948 Cycle, Volume 2 (1948) - Pristine PASC710 BRAHMS The 1948 Toscanini NBC Cycle, Volume Twodisc one (60:02)1. Introduction to Brahms Cycle Programme 3 (1:26)2. BRAHMS Academic Festival Overture, Op. 80 (10:44)3. BRAHMS Two Minuets, Serenade No. 1, Op. 11 (7:11)BRAHMS Symphony No. 2 in C minor, Op. 734. 1st mvt. - Allegro non troppo (15:07)5. 2nd mvt. - Adagio non troppo (8:31)6. 3rd mvt. - Allegretto grazioso (quasi andantino) (5:42)7. 4th mvt. - Allegro con spirito (8:48)8. Conclusion to Brahms Cycle Programme 3 (2:32)Broadcast of 6 November, 1948 disc two (59:52)1. Introduction to Brahms Cycle Programme 4 (1:52)BRAHMS Double Concerto in A minor, Op. 1022. 1st mvt. - Allegro (14:46)3. 2nd mvt. - Andante (7:14)4. 3nd mvt. - Vivace non troppo (10:34)Mischa Mischakoff, violin Frank Miller, celloBRAHMS Liebeslieder Waltzes Op. 525. 1. Rede, Mädchen, allzu liebes (0:58)6. 2. Am Gesteine rauscht die Flut (0:36)7. 3. O die Frauen (0:51)8. 4. Wie des Abends schöne Röthe (0:30)9. 5. Die grüne Hopfenranke (1:22)10. 6. Ein kleiner, hübscher Vogel nahm (2:12)11. 7. Wohl schön bewandt (0:58)12. 8. Wenn so lind dein Augen mir (0:48)13. 9. Am Donaustrande (1:48)14. 10. O wie sanft die Quelle (0:46)15. 11. Nein, est ist nicht auszukommen (1:15)16. 13. Vögelein durchrauscht die Luft (0:30)17. 14. Sieh, wie ist die Welle klar (1:40)18. 16. Ein dunkeler Schacht ist Liebe (1:06)19. 17. Nicht wandle, mein Licht (1:55)20. 18. Es bebet das Gesträuche (1:06)Chorus of VoicesArthur Balsam & Joseph Kahn, piano21. Introduction to Hungarian Dance (1:42)22. BRAHMS Hungarian Dance No. 1 in G minor (2:43)23. Conclusion to Brahms Cycle Programme 4 (2:42)Broadcast of 13 November, 1948NBC Symphony Orchestra conducted by Arturo ToscaniniBroadcasts from Studio 8H, NBC Radio City, New YorkIntroduced by Ben GrauerXR remastered by Andrew RoseArtwork based on photographs of Brahms and ToscaniniTotal duration: 1hr 59:54 TOSCANINI Brahms: The 1948 Cycle, Volume 3 (1948) - Pristine PASC713 BRAHMS The 1948 Toscanini NBC Cycle, Volume Threedisc one (59:30)1. Introduction to Brahms Cycle Programme 5 (1:08)BRAHMS Variations on a Theme by Haydn, Op.562. Theme. Andante (1:57)3. Variation 1. Poco più animato (1:10)4. Variation 2. Più vivace (0:54)5. Variation 3. Con moto (1:41)6. Variation 4. Andante con moto (2:01)7. Variation 5. Vivace (0:51)8. Variation 6. Vivace (1:08)9. Variation 7. Grazioso (2:08)10. Variation 8. Presto non troppo (0:56)11. Finale. Andante (5:30)BRAHMS Symphony No. 3 in F major, Op. 9012. 1st mvt. - Allegro con brio (12:38)13. 2nd mvt. - Andante (9:02)14. 3rd mvt. - Poco allegretto (6:48)15. 4th mvt. - Allegro (8:35)16. Conclusion to Brahms Cycle Programme 5 (3:05)Broadcast of 20 November, 1948disc two (59:40)1. Introduction to Brahms Cycle Programme 6 (1:36)2. BRAHMS Gesang der Parzen, Op.89 (16:31)Robert Shaw Choraledirected by Robert ShawBRAHMS Symphony No. 4 in E minor, Op. 983. 1st mvt. - Allegro non troppo (11:58)4. 2nd mvt. - Andante moderato (10:57)5. 3rd mvt. - Allegro giocoso (6:18)6. 4th mvt. - Allegro energico e passionato (9:28)7. Conclusion to Brahms Cycle Programme 6 (2:51)Broadcast of 27 November, 1948NBC Symphony Orchestra conducted by Arturo Toscanini Broadcasts from Studio 8H, NBC Radio City, New YorkIntroduced by Ben GrauerXR remastered by Andrew RoseArtwork based on photographs of Brahms and ToscaniniTotal Duration: 1hr 59:10 578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab2_cover_thumbnail1_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab2_cover_thumbnail2_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab2_cover_download_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab2_sample1_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab2_sample2_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab2_sample3_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab2_sample4_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab2_sample5_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab2_sample6_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab3_labelfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5fCover Art578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab3_typefb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5fcover_art578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab3_contentfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab3_cover_thumbnail1_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab3_cover_thumbnail2_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab3_cover_download_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab3_sample1_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab3_sample2_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab3_sample3_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab3_sample4_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab3_sample5_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab3_sample6_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f Show more