Toscanini Conducts Beethoven 1 (1937-1939)

On this CD:

1. Symphony No. 1 in C major, Op. 21
Composed by Ludwig van Beethoven
Performed by BBC Symphony Orchestra
Conducted by Arturo Toscanini

2. Symphony No. 4 in B flat major, Op. 60
Composed by Ludwig van Beethoven
Performed by BBC Symphony Orchestra
Conducted by Arturo Toscanini

3. Leonore Overture No. 1 in C major, Op. 138
Composed by Ludwig van Beethoven
Performed by BBC Symphony Orchestra
Conducted by Arturo Toscanini

Tracks:

Egmont Overture Op. 15
I. Adagio Molto/Allegro Con Brio
II. Andante Cantabile Con Moto
III. Menuetto/Trio. Allegro Molto E Vivace
IV. Adagio/Allegro Molto E Vivace
Sehr Massig Bewegt
Act III
Andante Maestoso/Allegro

Tracks:

I. Allegro Ma Non Troppo Un Poco Maestoso
II. Molto Vivace/Presto
III. Adagio Molto E Cantible/Andante Moderato/Andante/Adagio
IV. Presto/Allegro, Ma Non Troppo/Vivace/Adagio Cantible/Allegro

Average customer rating:

Toscanini's BBC recordings

Toscanini Conducts the BBC Symphony

Manufacturer: Biddulph Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000009K92
Release Date: 1994-07-08

Customer Reviews:

Toscanini's BBC recordings.......2006-03-18

Arturo Toscanini made a series of commercial recordings for His Master's Voice in Great Britain from 1937 to 1939. He conducted a number of concerts with the BBC Symphony Orchestra (now known as the BBC Philharmonic orchestra) in the 1930's and reportedly enjoyed working with the British musicians. Some of the musicians later recalled the warm relationship they had with the Maestro, who clearly admired their abundant musical talents.

Often the comparison was made to Sir Thomas Beecham, who actually had a much different style than Toscanini (and was critical of the Maestro), because both were said to have "an inner vision" that came across in the ways they shaped performances of the great classics they conducted. Both men weren't afraid to conduct "light classics," which Beecham called "bon bons," and treat them with great respect and imagination.

Toscanini's BBC recordings were made in Queen's Hall, a wonderfully warm, resonant concert hall that was unfortunately destroyed in 1941 during the Battle of Britian. The recordings were released in America by RCA Victor. They give us a good idea of Queen's Hall's fine acoustics.

Knowing that Toscanini hated making 78-rpm discs because of their limited playing time (and the need to stop to the change a master every four to five minutes), HMV engineers set up two recording machines and recorded continuous performances. They simply faded or cut off one master when it reached its capacity and started a new one on the other machine.

Toscanini appreciated the ability to conduct such continuous performances and he was quite pleased with the results. He was so "relaxed" during the recordings that he occasionally hummed, as he sometimes did during his concerts. The discs had remarkably good sound, too, and still sound quite impressive on CDs.

Seraphim reissued the recordings in a boxed set in 1967, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Toscanini's birth (March 25, 1867). Having heard the original 78-rpm discs, this writer was quite impressed with the transfers to LPs. Now the historic recordings are available on compact discs and the listener can appreciate these wonderful performances.

The first, four, and the sixth symphonies of Beethoven are given "definitive" performances with great warmth and beauty. The exquisitive playing of the British musicians, handpicked by Sir Adrian Boult for this fine orchestra (formed in 1930 to make broadcasts and recordings), is a wonderful contrast to the same pieces that Toscanini recorded with the NBC Symphony, especially the famous RCA Victor boxed set of all nine Beethoven symphonies (recorded 1949 to 1952).

The 1938 recording of the overture to Mozart's last opera, "The Magic Flute" is especially enjoyable. It has great drama and power. There is clearly a triumphant and jubilant interpetation of this memorable music, which was among the final scores Mozart wrote in 1791. The original recording fit neatly on two sides of a 12-inch 78-rpm disc and, fortunately, the engineers were able to make a suitable split just before the famous "Masonic" chords that begin the final half of the overture.

The first overture to Beethoven's only opera, "Fidelio," is a surprising treat. Beethoven originally called the opera "Leonore," after its heroine and, never satisfied, ended up writing four overtures for the opera. Those more familiar with the "Leonore No. 3" will really enjoy the differences and similarities between the two scores. This is a very fine performance.

The overture to Rossini's "La scala di seta" is a rare treat because Toscanini apparently did not make a commercial recording of it with the NBC Symphony. It has incredible energy and really showcases the BBC Symphony's string section.

Brahms' "Tragic Overture" was written about the same time as the "Academic Festival Overture," when the composer received an honorary doctorate. There are considerable contrasts in the two works, both played and recorded by Toscanini with the NBC Symphony. "Tragic" is a very dramatic, powerful work and, quite frankly, this writer has NEVER a more spectacular recording of the overture than this one. Even the later NBC recording is not quite as dramatic.

Toscanini returned to Great Britain in the fall of 1952, for what proved to be the last time, to conduct two concerts with the Philharmonia Orchestra in the brand-new Royal Festival Hall. He played only the music of Johannes Brahms, one of the composers he greatly admired. On hand for the BBC's Home Service radio broadcasts was none other than Sir Adrian Boult, who still remembered the incredible performances the Maestro gave with the BBC Symphony in the late 1930's. Boult's on-the-air tribute to Toscanini (preserved by the BBC) is yet another example of one conductor who greatly admired the Maestro.

Only World War II and the travel restrictions it imposed (as well as limitations on concerts) prevented Toscanini from returning to England until well after the war. Once again Toscanini's association with British musicians proved very rewarding for all concerned.

Music Track:

Music Track

music track

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