Search - Johannes Brahms, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Franz Schubert :: Edition 3 (Comp)

Perennially satisfying performances.

John Austin | Kangaroo Ground, Australia | 12/24/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Gathered together here, on 10 CDs, are some of the major recording projects of Bruno Walter's last years. In many cases the performances were the last he recorded commercially. Most of the Mozart symphonies he did again. Of special interest in the Mozart items heard here, however, are the rehearsal sequences that preceded the recording of Mozart's "Linz" Symphony. Uniquely articulate amongst conductors, whether rehearsing or writing, he here gently but firmly moulds each movement into shape, then lays down his baton and says, "Now, we record". Perhaps the performances that have won the highest praise are the Brahms symphonies found here, especially Nos. 2 and 3. Indeed, some reviewers continue to head their list of top recommendations of these works with these 1960 recordings. Everything here was recorded between 1949 and 1961, either in New York or in Los Angeles. By and large, Walter's best-recorded performances remain for me, after umpteen hearings, amongst the most perennially satisfying of any that were achieved by the great C20th century conductors. You'll certainly find many great ones here, and in the other boxed sets in this Bruno Walter Edition."