Customer Reviews

The Art of Konwitschny - Great Historial Recordings Vol.2

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I had grown leary of multi-disk bargain sets, because so many times they are padded out with marginal recordings. But I took a chance on this one after reading the previous review.

I am glad I did. Every one of the 11 disks in this set is "Grade A" material. The complete Dutchman (2 cds in brilliant 1960 era Stereo) is enough to justify the price of the set. But like they say, "there is more".

Even though these recordings are "historic", they are high quality, and pleasurable to hear, even on modern equipment. These stereo and mono analog recordings going back into the 1950's are clearly "Hi Fi" and the performances are superb. No booklet, but each individual slipcase in the little box has the performance dates, artists, and other relevant information.

Franz Konwitschny - who was born in 1901, Fulnek, Northern Moravia, and died in 1962 in Belgrade, former Yugoslavia while conducting in a TV broadcast - was one of the great conductors of the 20th century. In my view, his legacy must be compared with such conductors as Abendroth, Furtwängler, Lehmann, and Weingartner. Apart from covering - more or less - the same repertoire, he was both as personal and gifted as these conductors.

From 1949 until his death in 1962 he was principal conductor of the Gewandhausorchester Leipzig. The present collection of 11 CDs - vol. 2 of two sets - features some of his greatest recordings with this excellent orchestra. In addition, there are also recordings with the Staatskapelle Dresden, Staatskapelle Berlin and Berliner Rundfunk Sinfonie-Orchester.

To start with the latter recordings, this box includes one of the greatest recordings of Bruckner's second symphony that we have on record (CD 2). Few conductors have exposed such a masterly understanding of this work as Konwitschny. Though recorded in mono in 1951 with the Berliner Rundfunk Sinfonie-Orchester, the sound is quite good - a memorable and classic recording that all Brucknerians must hear.

Konwitschny recorded Shostakovich's 11th symphony with Staatskapelle Berlin in 1960 and the 10th in 1954 (CD 8 & 9, both in mono). These are early recordings of this music (composed just a few years before the recordings) and show Konwitchny's interest in new music. The two recordings give an interesting perspective on these works, and especially the tenth must be considered as one of the finest versions available toghether with Ancerl's (DG).

The box includes also Konwitchny's 1955 mono recording of Beethovens's third symphony with Staatskapelle Dresden (CD 1). This is simply one of the best recordings of the Eroica we have on record, an unforgettable deeply felt and passionate account. The mono recording is outstanding.

On CD 10-11 it's a pleasure to find the one of the best Flying Dutchmans in recording history, Konwitchny's classic recording of Wagner's early music drama with Staatskapelle Berlin from 1960 (stereo). Cast includes Frick, Wunderlich, Schock, Schech and Fisher-Dieskau.

The remaining discs (CD 2, 4-8) are with the Gewandhausorchester Leipzig. Works include Beethoven piano concertos nos. 2 and 4 with Amadeus Webersinke and the Choral Fantasia (on CD 1) with Günther Kootz. These recordings are of great interest: excellent interpretations and fine sound. Further, we find two of Konwitchny's other classic Bruckner recordings: symphonies 5 and 7 (CDs 4-7). Both are great recordings in excellent sound, and hard to find elsewhere. Finally, we get Mendelsohn's third symphony and the violin concerto with Igor Oistrach. Perhaps not two classic recordings, but very good nonetheless.

You get all this, in very fine remastered sound, almost for the price of one record. It's a steal. Apart from boasting a collection of outstanding performance of mostly highest rank, it's a very good introduction to Konwitchny's moving and memorable music making. Don't hesitate, grab this gem now! I recommend it enthusiastically, both for interpretations and sound.