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Historical Classical: Conductors
Featuring the conducting of FurtwÄngler, Knappertsbusch, Mitropoulos and Toscanini and more.

Digital Classical Recordings
Listed Alphabetically: Modern high-fidelity recordings of standard as well as modern repertoire by some of today's greatest artists. With an emphasis on contemporary American music, and featuring Ursula Oppens, the Mirecourt Trio, Igor Kipnis, and the Composers' Quartet.

Pristine Audio & Natural Sound

[New release!] CD-1212(1) BRUNO WALTER CONDUCTS THE PHILHARMONIC-SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA. WAGNER: Siegfried Idyll. BRUCKNER: Symphony No. 9 in d. First release of the concert given at Carnegie Hall, 10 February, 1957. Total Time: 67:16 Digital restoration: 2008. [AAD] UPC # 0-17685-121227

$14.95; now through August 15, 2008 only $9.95

BUZZ: Captured here in excellent sound is Walter's penultimate concert with the Philharmonic before he retired as its Guest Conductor. The Idyll was a work much loved by Walter, and he recorded it in the studio six times during his career. The conductor wrote affectionately of its "fundamental mood of sunny happiness and heartfelt good spirits." This is an expansive performance, played with fervor and great transparency of detail. Harold Schonberg's New York Times review says of the Bruckner performance: "Through the years this has been one of Mr. Walter's specialties... In many respects this is the most interesting of the nine Bruckner symphonies. Its three movements (the composer died before completing the fourth) contain a larger quota of spiked dissonance than the earlier works do; there is a more stringent intellectual discipline and also some rather fascinating allusions in the Adagio to 'Parsifal' and 'Tristan und Isolde." Walter used the Orel edition of Bruckner's original version, with his own changes. This concert has never before been issued in any format; it is released in excellent sound with detailed notes by Mark Kluge.

CD-1010(1) BRUNO WALTER'S BEETHOVEN. Symphony No. 3 in E-flat, "Eroica", Performed In Memory of Arturo Toscanini by Symphony of the Air [formerly NBC Symphony Orchestra), Carnegie Hall, 3 Feb. 1957 orig. 1973. (AAD) UPC# 0-17685-10102-1

Regularly $14.95; now through August 15, 2008 only $9.95

"The Symphony of the Air, despite many NBC Symphony players no longer being with the group, remains closer to a Toscanini-like leanness than to the weightiness Walter usually favored."
–Mortimer H. Frank, Fanfare

CD-1090(2) BRUNO WALTER: A COMPLETE CONCERTGEBOUW CONCERT. CD No.1: MOZART: Symphony in g, K550; Mahler: Symphony No. 4 in G (with E. Schwarzkopf). CD No.2: STRAUSS: Don Juan. All the above from a concert with the Amsterdam Concertgebouw Orchestra (19 June 1952) plus BRAHMS: Symphony No.4 in e, Op.98 with Philharmonic-Symphony Orchestra (11 Feb. 1951). AAD UPC# 0-17685-10902-7

Regularly $29.90; now through August 15, 2008 only $19.90

"Walter was in exceptional form for the Concertgebouw concert, and the orchestra responds superbly to his warm, expressive approach."
-Gary A. Galo, ARSC Journal

CD-1137(6) BRUNO WALTER'S BEETHOVEN. The classic 1941-53 Columbia mono recordings of all the Symphonies with the New York and Philadelphia Orchestras; with Bonus CD: early versions of the 3rd and 5th from 1941. Digital restorations (2004) by John Wilson, assisted by Aaron Z. Synder. [AAD] UPC#0-17685-11372-7. 6 CDs priced as 5.

Regularly $74.75; now through August 15, 2008 only $44.75

"Dr. Walter's performance is the most romantically aspiring of all, harmonically weightier than the others and voluptuously phrased."
-High Fidelity

CD-1142(1) BRUNO WALTER CONDUCTS BEETHOVEN. Missa Solemnis in D major, Op. 123. With Philharmonic~Symphony Orchestra, Eleanor Steber, soprano; Nan Merriman, mezzo-soprano; William Hain, tenor; Lorenzo Alvary, bass, the Westminster Choir, John Finley Williamson, Director. Carnegie Hall, 18 April 1948. State of the art digital restoration in 2004. Notes by Mark W. Kluge. (AAD) UPC# 0-17685-11422-9.

Regularly $14.95; now through August 15, 2008 only $9.95

"All in all...an important document, and should attract anyone interested specifically in Walter, the Missa, or historical performances."
-Mortimer H. Frank, Fanfare

CD-1155(1) BRUNO WALTER'S NEW YORK PHILHARMONIC BEETHOVEN NINTH. Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No 9 in D Minor, Op.125; rec. for American Columbia with NYPO on Apr. 18, 1949, 30th Street Studio, NYC (Movements 1-3), and Mar. 7, 1953, Carnegie Hall, NYC (Movement 4) with Frances Yeend, soprano; Martha Lipton, contralto, David Lloyd, tenor; Mack Harrell, baritone; Westminster Choir, John Findley Williams, director. Digital restoration (2004): John Wilson; liner notes: Mark Kluge. Note: this is NOT the "Choral" movement recently released by Music & Arts in set CD-1137 (which dates from 1949). [AAD] UPC # 017685-11552-3

Regularly $14.95; now through August 15, 2008 only $9.95

"The scherzo is vigorous and energetic and the trio is cleanly articulated.... CD lets us hear Walter in a central repertoire masterpiece when he was in his prime....An impressive reading."
-John Quinn, Music Web (UK)

CD-1199(1) BRUNO WALTER CONDUCTS MAHLER Gustav Mahler: Symphony No. 2 in c, "Resurrection". With Maria Stader, sop., Maureen Forrester, cont. and Philharmonic-Symphony Orchestra, cond. Bruno Walter. Carnegie Hall, 17 Feb. 1957. Restoration Engineer: Kit Higginson; notes: Mark W. Kluge. Total 79:47. UPC# 0-17685-11992-7

Regularly $14.95; now through August 15, 2008 only $9.95

"Walter seems more willing to realize the symphony's drama, particularly in the opening movement. Even if you have the studio version, you need to hear the present version."
-Raymond Tuttle, www.classical.net

CD-1201(2) IN MEMORY OF ARTURO TOSCANINI: CONCERT GIVEN BY THE SYMPHONY OF THE AIR AT CARNEGIE HALL ON FEBRUARY 3, 1957 CD No. 1 (74:06) Beethoven: Symphony No. 3 in Eb, Op. 55 (Eroica), cond. Bruno Walter; Debussy: La Mer, cond. Charles Munch. CD No. 2 (67:48) Elgar: Enigma Variations, cond. Pierre Monteux (all above recorded in mono). SPECIAL BONUS: Tribute to Toscanini by "The Orchestra that Refused to Die". Recorded in Stereo from the recording session with the [conductorless] Symphony of the Air, Sep. 21, 1954. Tchaikovsky: Suite from the ballet, "The Nutcracker", Op. 71a; Berlioz: Overture, The Roman Carnival, Op. 9; Wagner: Prelude to Act I of Die Meistersinger. Audio restoration: Aaron Z. Snyder. Notes: Harris Goldsmith. AAD. UPC# 0-17685-12012-1

Regularly $29.90; now through August 15, 2008 only $19.90

"The performances of the three concert works... are also highly impressive, if still touched with the relentlessness that Toscanini instilled into this formidable orchestra."
-David Cairns, The Sunday Times (London)

CD-4206(1) GUSTAV MAHLER (1860-1911): Das Lied von der Erde/The Song of the Earth. Maureen Forrester (contralto), Richard Lewis (tenor), Philharmonic-Symphony Orchestra. Bruno Walter. (From a concert performance in Carnegie Hall on 16 Apr. 1960). [AAD] UPC # 017685-42062-7

Regularly $14.95; now through August 15, 2008 only $9.95

BUZZ: Walter's very last concert performance of this work, which he had premiered in 1911, with ideal soloists chosen by him for this farewell rendition.

CD-4705(2) BRUNO WALTER'S VIENNA FAREWELL CONCERT (1960). Schubert: Symphony No. 8 in b, "Unfinished"; Mahler: Symphony No. 4 in G and 3 Orchestral Songs: "Wo die schoenen Trompeten...", "Ich atmet' einen Linden Duft" and "Ich bin der Welt abhanden gekommen". With the VPO and Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, soprano; live perf. 29 May 1960. Previously released in 1976 on LP-705 and 1985 on CD-705. [AAD] UPC# 0-17685-47052-3

Regularly $29.90; now through August 15, 2008 only $19.90

"For me there has never been another performance [of the Mahler Fourth] that so magically and profoundly realizes every facet, shaping and nuance of the score..."
–Jon Tuska, Fanfare

CD-4273(2) BRUNO WALTER IN ROMANTIC REPERTOIRE. WEBER: Oberon Overture; SCHUMANN: Symphony No. 4; BERLIOZ: Corsaire Overture and excerpts from Damnation of Faust; WAGNER: Faust Overture; TCHAIKOVSKY: Symphony No. 5, NBC Symphony Orchestra (1939 & 1940). UPC # 017685-42732-9.

Regularly $29.90; now through August 15, 2008 only $25.90

"...the readings on this set stand with the Vienna Mahler Ninth and Walküre Act I among the most persuasive of Walter's recorded performances from that period."
–Peter J. Rabinowitz, American Record Guide

CD-4714(1) BRUNO WALTER. The complete New York concert of 15 February 1948. DVORAK: Symphony No. 8 in G; MENDELSSOHN: Hebrides Overture, Op. 26 and HINDEMITH: Symphonia Serena, Philharmonic-Symphony Orch. UPC # 0-18685-47142-1.

Regularly $14.95; now through August 15, 2008 only $9.95

"[Hindemith's Symphonia Serena is] a most persuasive account, more vital than the composer's own stereo recording on EMI."
-James H. North, Fanfare

CD-4788(1) BRUNO WALTER CONDUCTS MUSIC BY THREE SLAVIC MASTERS. DVORAK: Symphony No. 9 in e, Op. 95 (from The New World) (Los Angeles, 16 July 1942); SMETANA: Moldau (from Ma Vlast) + The Bartered Bride - Overture (Los Angles, 19 June 1949); TCHAIKOVSKY: Romeo and Juliet, Overture-fantasy (Los Angeles, 16 July 1942), all with Standard Symphony Orchestra. UPC # 0-17685-47882-6

Regularly $14.95; now through August 15, 2008 only $12.95

"Bruno Walter's conducting was a combination of lyrical phrasing, flowing melodic line and precise dramatic emphases. Dvorak's Symphony No. 9 demonstrates each of these qualities. Tchaikovsky's Romeo & Juliet overture also finds Walter in fine fettle. Centrally come two Smetana favorites, both full of glorious Walter touches."
-CD Review

CD-4822(1) BRUNO WALTER CONDUCTS TWO ROMANTIC MASTERPIECES. BERLIOZ: Symphonie fantastique, Philharmonic-Symphony Orchestra (New York, 21 Feb. 1954) & MENDELSSOHN: A Midsummer Night's Dream: Overture, Scherzo & Nocturne, Philharmonic-Symphony Orch. (New York, 12 Dec. 1948). UPC # 0-17685-48222-9

Regularly $14.95; now through August 15, 2008 only $9.95

BUZZ: Walter is heard here (in the best possible sound) in what was for him rare and unusual repertoire in his later years. As neither work was recorded by him on LP, we are fortunate to have these concert recordings of these gems.

CD-4838(1) BRUNO WALTER-A TREASURY OF WAGNER CONCERT FAVORITES. Siegfried Idyll & Parsifal-Prelude, Act 1, Standard Symphony Orch. (Los Angeles, 19 June 1949); Tristan und Isolde-Prelude, Philharmonic-Symphony Orchestra (New York, 14 May 1944); Götterdämmerung-Finale: Brünnhilde's Immolation, Kirsten Flagstad, soprano, Philharmonic-Symphony Orchestra +Wesendonk Songs, Kirsten Flagstad, soprano & Bruno Walter, piano (New York, 23 March, 1952). UPC # 017685-48382-0.

Regularly $14.95; now through August 15, 2008 only $12.95

BUZZ: Bruno Walter had a high reputation as a Wagnerian before coming to America during World War II. Unfortunately, he never conducted a Wagner opera in this country, so we must be grateful that these live orchestral excerpts (one of them featuring the great Flagstad in the Götterdämmerung Immolation scene) exist, giving us a taste of Walter's way with Wagner.