Just perusing their catalogue, I was both surprised and impressed by
the number of filmed performances/concerts ICA Classics have issued on DVD.
The trailer at the beginning of this latest offering expounds their
philosophy. These filmed performances are considered of such artistic
significance that they are worthy of preservation and restoration. So they
are being made available, not only to those who remember attending the
concerts, but to music lovers in general, who enjoy the visual experience of
seeing these great artists at work. Their sources are, in the main, the
original archive master video tapes. This material is of an age where flaws
are sometimes present. Consequently, in the editing and restoration process,
ICA sometimes have to marry up separate sound recordings with the film.
This DVD of portions of two concerts from 1973 by Rudolf Kempe - one
of the great unsung conductors of the twentieth century - is very welcome
indeed. In comparison to some other conductors, there doesn’t appear
to be much of Kempe on film. ICA Classics have only one other release in
their DVD catalogue - his take on Strauss’s
Ein Heldenleben and
the ubiquitous
New World Symphony.
Born in Dresden in 1910, Kempe started his musical life as an
orchestral oboist with the Gewandhaus. Here he played under such eminent
conductors as Klemperer, Beecham, Kleiber, Busch and Richard Strauss. Such
was his talent that he garnered praise from none other than Wilhelm
Furtwängler for his rendition of the oboe solo in Strauss’s
Don Juan. Later, after stepping onto the podium on a couple of
occasions to fill the breach, he realized that conducting was the road he
wanted to take. Having worked in numerous posts, he became artistic director
of opera in Weimar alongside Hermann Abendroth. Here he further developed a
love for the music of Richard Strauss, giving a local premiere of
Capriccio. In the early 1970s he recorded the Strauss orchestral
works with the Staatskapelle Dresden. This set became a pillar of the
catalogue, much reissued on LP and CD (
review review review) and most recently in a 9 CD box newly
re-mastered (Warner Classics 50999 4 31780 2 5). His well-regarded 1968
Ariadne auf Naxos (
review) is also included in Warner’s new
‘Strauss ‘Great Operas’ box (50999 4 31799 2 3). After the
death of Furtwängler in 1954, Kempe was asked by Electrola to fulfil
some of the maestro’s commitments. One of these was to record
Brahms’ Second Symphony. This was to be the first of four studio
recordings he made of that work, which happens to be the symphony featured
on this DVD. On Beecham’s death in 1961 he was appointed artistic
director and principal conductor of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. In
1975, a year before his untimely death, he became principal conductor of the
BBC Symphony Orchestra.
Kempe was a natural Brahmsian, in fact he was equally splendid in
Wagner; his
Lohengrin is testimony to that. This is the first time I
have seen him conduct, I never had the privilege of hearing him live in
concert. What strikes me watching this film is his modesty, charisma and
self-effacing manner. He is not one to stamp his personality on the score,
but lets the composer speak for himself. He has a very precise stick
technique and you can discern the beat at all times. The Brahms Symphony is
more fleet of foot and less broad than the 1955 recording with the Berlin
Philharmonic on Testament (SBT 3054). Kempe has an architectural grasp of
the score, but it’s not epic Brahms like Klemperer … or
Furtwängler for that matter. It’s almost understated, yet
effective. It’s an elegant performance, lyrical and expressive.
There’s a wonderful sense of line throughout. Dynamics and phrasing
are all well-judged.
The Wagner
Tannhäuser Overture also provides an example
of a composer in which Kempe excelled. It is a compelling performance with a
great sense of drama. I love the way he coaxes the brass and woodwind, who
are exemplary throughout. Perhaps the camera-work in the Royal Festival Hall
is not quite as adventurous as in the Munich venue. Nevertheless there are
some striking shots of a great conductor at work.
For lovers of Kempe’s art, of which I am one, this visual
document is not only very welcome but also of great historical value.
Booklet notes are in English and German. My only criticism is that at 57
minutes it is a little short on value. Other works from these concerts could
surely have been included?
Stephen Greenbank
Masterwork Index:
Brahms
symphony 2
