Don't Miss This One
Joseph Reichmann | Los Angeles | 07/08/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The Maestro recorded for RCA for over 20 years and the company did not release all the performances. Never released before performances include an elegant Rhapsody in Blue with Earl Wild and Benny Goodman, Kodaly's sparkling Marosszek Dances, Borodin's Second Symphony (in very poor sound), a marvelous Ein Heldenleben by Strauss, a scorching En Saga by Sibelius, and a horrible Hungarian Rhapsody by Liszt.
The Rossini overtures are in a class by themselves. No other conductor could gently raise the volume and tempo to get that wonderful Rossini effect.
Gershwin's American in Paris is no wimpy tourist. And Grofe's Grand Canyon Suite will never sound grander. Listen to the storm. Only the Maestro could make a storm sound like music, rather than just the banging of percussion (also in the William Tell overture).
The Wagner selections contain the most beautiful Siegfried Idyll you will ever hear.
Beethoven's 8th symphony receives a dramatic treatment, not the usual Haydn makeover.
Beethoven's violin concerto is played by Heifetz in a performance that is better than his stereo version with Munch.
Included are Brahms' and Schumann's third symphonies, Ravel's Daphnis and Chloe, Schubert's Unfinished symphony, Mozart's 40th symphony, and Cherubini's symphony all receiving the Toscanini treatment.
And there is more. Many of the performances were re-recorded 10 to 15 years later in better sound. But, this is a way for the unfamiliar to appreciate the greatness of the Maestro and for the familiar to fill out their collection.
"
From the Pages of the Past
Charles Stubbert | Waterville, Maine | 04/16/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Some of us will remember the NBC broadcasts of the 40's and 50's featuring Toscanini conducting the NBC Symphony Orchestra especially put together for him. This album is a srep back in time with the great conductor interpreting numerous works in his own very special style. Although the sound is far below today's standards, the historic content is amazing. I particularly enjoyed Toscanini's treatment of the Barber Adagio, which he premiered in its orchestral form. His interpretation took 7:11 minutes where most conductors take about 9:00 minutes. He was also a master of Beethoven's music as shown by Disc 2. THere is a great variety of music in this collection that shows Toscanini's versatility.
This 10 CD collection is well worth the cost and for those not familiar with Toscanin, this is a wonderful example of why he is considered one of the greatest conductors who ever lived."
Track Listings (38) - Disc #1