Brahms: Hungarian Dances; Dvorak: Slavonic Dances; R. Strauss: Tod und Verklärung; Till Eulenspiegel


Brahms: Hungarian Dances; Dvorak: Slavonic Dances; R. Strauss: Tod und Verklärung; Till Eulenspiegel
Fritz Reiner
Label
Decca
Catalogue No.
4805006
Barcode
00028948050062
Format
2-CD
About

Renowned for the precision of his execution, it was said that Reiner could ‘stand before an orchestra he has never seen before and conduct a new piece at first sight without verbal explanation, by means of manual technique alone’ (he later taught at the Curtis Institute, where he unsuccessful attempted to moderate the young Leonard Bernstein). His temper was equally legendary (he was once described as ‘A despot with a baton’), but his performances, perhaps because of his uncannily tiny beat, were models of clarity and precision, never losing sight of the longer line, and always renowned for their glittering vitality.

The recordings here are the sum of his orchestral recordings made for the Decca Record Company. His Strauss is searing, and the thrill of the Brahms and Dvorak Dances has perhaps never been equalled – helped immeasurably, of course, by Decca’s state-of-the-art recording.

TRACK LISTING / ARTISTS

JOHANNES BRAHMS
Eight Hungarian Dances

ANTON DVOŘÁK
Five Slavonic Dances

RICHARD STRAUSS
Till Eulenspiegels lustige Streiche, Op. 28
Tod und Verklärung, Op. 24

Wiener Philharmoniker

Fritz Reiner

Recording information

Recording Producers: Erik Smith (Brahms, Dvořák); John Culshaw (Strauss)
Balance Engineers: James Brown (Brahms, Dvořák); Gordon Parry, James Brown (Strauss)
Recording Location: Sofiensaal, Vienna, Austria, September 1956 (Strauss), June 1960 (Brahms, Dvořák)

Reviews

‘These are brilliant performances with every member of this great orchestra on his toes, and the 1961 recording wears remarkably well’ (Brahms, Dvorak) Gramophone

‘I was bowled over by the splendour of the performances and gratified by the warmth and clarity of the recording … There is splendid ambience and range, a good stereo spread, clean definition and body. Both performances are immediately gripping: they are obviously of great distinction and I would go even further and say that they are inspired. Reiner was a Strauss conductor of quite exceptional insight and sympathy: his Tod und Verklärung seems to me the finest in the catalogue without exception and Till Eulenspiegel is certainly the equal of the finest both in terms of characterisation, orchestral playing and recording.’ (Strauss) Gramophone