Beethoven Symphony No. 4 - Wagner Siegfried Idyll - Pierre Monteux
Artist(s): Conductor - Pierre Monteux
Orchestra for Beethoven - London Symphony Orchestra
Orchestra for Wagner - The San Francisco Symphony Orchestra
Recording Info: Released by RCA 1965
Beethoven Symphony No. 4 In B-Flat Op. 60
1 Adagio; Allegro Vivace 12:38
2 Adagio 9:15
3 Menuetto: Allegro Vivace; Trio: Un Poco Meno Allegro 5:44
4 Allegro Ma Non Troppo 6:32
5 Wagner: Siegfried Idyll 16:43
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A Classic's Welcome Return
HDTT has brought back from analog stereo's Golden Age a recording classic that disappeared almost immediately following its RCA LP release in 1965. Monteux's lucidly dramatic London Symphony Beethoven 4 is presented in superb sound, as is Wagner's charming, warmly comforting Siegfried Idyll. So why is this very welcome reissue so very rare? As with many of Monteux's late career European stereo productions, the Beethoven was recorded by British Decca and released in the US by RCA pursuant to a joint leasing arrangement. That leasing arrangement ended around 1967/1968 and RCA's Decca-recorded titles reverted to Decca. Meanwhile, in 1965 RCA faced a more immediate problem: no suitable Decca-recorded titles remained per the existing lease to provide a stereo discmate for the (relatively) short Beethoven symphony. Happily, RCA itself had recorded the Wagner in stereo during one of Monteux's return guest appearances with the San Francisco Symphony, an orchestra he had led as Music Director from the 1930s to 1952. Voila! ... the Wagner proved a perfect 'fit' for the Beethoven on LP, but once the Beethoven reverted to Decca the LP had to be taken off record store shelves. Now this gorgeous coupling of prime Monteux performances returns after 50-plus years, courtesy of HDTT and sounding better than ever. In short, don't hesitate: urgently recommended by someone who bought the LP decades ago and has long since worn out its often-played grooves!
Typically excellent Beethoven, desert island Wagner
This Beethoven 4th has been on most shorlists since first released, and now has the best sound ever. The Wagner, an apparent farewell appearance with the Maitre's former band, shows how much we missed when bookers and record producers forced Monteux to play and record much more French repertoire than he wanted. Here is Wagner's most humane and tender music, sung on one sublime breath, like chamber music, which is how it was written. This wonderful Monteux completes my holy trinity for this work, along with Walter and Solti (only one Wiener Philharmoniker to a part).
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Typically excellent Beethoven, desert island Wagner
This Beethoven 4th has been on most shorlists since first released, and now has the best sound ever. The Wagner, an apparent farewell appearance with the Maitre's former band, shows how much we missed when bookers and record producers forced Monteux to play and record much more French repertoire than he wanted. Here is Wagner's most humane and tender music, sung on one sublime breath, like chamber music, which is how it was written. This wonderful Monteux completes my holy trinity for this work, along with Walter and Solti (only one Wiener Philharmoniker to a part).
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