Search - Brahms, Toscanini, NBC :: Johannes Brahms: Symphony No. 3/ Double Concerto (for Violin & Cello)

Just Shy of Toscanini's Marvelous Accomplishments

07/19/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Live "aircheck" recordings of various broadcasts preserve the Maestro's best achievements with the composition, including driving, intense versions from 1943 and 1946, and more expansive live performances of 1952 (done in England with the Philharmonia Orchestra, as well as in New York with the NBC ensemble.) The commercial recording is, by comparison, a less successful interpretation.Recorded on Nov. 4, 1952, the tapes reflect the obvious fact that Toscanini seemed very tense, and -- though he used slow, broad tempi -- the reading is just not consistent or flowing. The live concert performance at Carnegie Hall, broadcast on Nov. 1, '52, was amazingly better. In this particular symphony, one might want to investigate the 1943 Toscanini live edition (in vastly inferior sound) in the Music & Arts set CD-995. One must admit, however, that the sound of the present BMG release is immeasurably cleaner and richer.The Double Concerto, despite its relatively early date of Nov. 13, 1948, is in fine, clear Studio 8H sound balances, with perfect presence and no surface noise. The early LP issues were grotesquely thin and wiry, but not this CD (the video of the simulcast on NBC TV also has fine sound, too.) Mischa Mischakoff and Frank Miller are dedicated though self-effacing solo performers, and the Maestro moves the music along at an unsentimental dramatic clip. Again, one finds that a 1939 broadcast just noses out this version; but it is possible that even the best sources have too much noise to permit a commercial release."