Joseph HAYDN (1732-1809)
Symphony No. 100 in G major, Military [21:59]
Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)
Symphony No. 6 in F major, Op. 68 Pastoral [38:02]
Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra/Bruno Walter
rec. 1938 (Haydn), 1936 (Beethoven)
OPUS KURA OPK2116 [60:30]
Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897)
Symphony No. 3 in F major, Op. 90 [29:44]
Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Op. 68 [41:20]
Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra/Bruno Walter
rec. 1936-37
OPUS KURA OPK2117 [71:23]
The four recordings we have here were set down in Vienna
between 1936 and 1938. Prior to Hitler's accession to power in
1933, Bruno Walter (1876-1962) had centred his career in Munich
and Leipzig. All this was to change. The Nazis’ anti-semitic
policies forced the conductor, a Jew, to flee to Austria. He spent the
next few years in Vienna as artistic director of the Vienna State Opera
and frequently conducted the orchestra, under its concert hall title
Vienna Philharmonic. He stayed there until 1938, when he was uprooted
once again, moving to France and from there to America, where he spent
the rest of his life. These years in Vienna were very productive and
he made a number of recordings for Columbia. I have already reviewed
Walter's Mozart recordings from this period.
Walter set down three commercial recordings of Beethoven's Pastoral
Symphony, of which this is the earliest. Although famed for his relaxed
benevolence towards the orchestral players, this certainly doesn't
translate into this performance, which eschews over-indulgence and is
devoid of sentimentality. It's an invigorating reading, rhythmically
pliant, with an acute sense of purpose. The music is never allowed to
sag. The orchestra are on top form, and Walter's shaping of the
woodwind passages adds colour and lustre to the restricted 1930’s
sound. I must single out the Allegretto finale, which sings out with
beguiling lyricism.
The opening movement of Haydn's Symphony No. 100 Military
is heavy laden, and disappoints. It all seems too self conscious. I
prefer the more lithe, animated approach of Colin Davis and the Concertgebouw.
The other three movements do fare better. The finale is particularly
uplifting; affable, good-humoured and oozing geniality, the rhythmic
vitality is alluring and seductive.
The impressive Musikvereinsaal was the chosen venue for the recording
of the two Brahms Symphonies, and the marvellous, rich acoustic reaps
rewards, conferring a warm, glowing halo around the sound. The epic
grandeur of the First Symphony is compelling. The opening movement
is vital and dynamic, and Walter’s adept handling of the climaxes
is impressive on all counts. The autumnal glow of the Andante sostenuto
is endearing, with the violin solo near the end satisfyingly
balanced in the mix. The third movement is strikingly buoyant,
with a palpable feel of geniality and contentment. The introduction
to the finale conveys a sufficient level of anticipation. Walter contours
the ebb and flow of the finale with true mastery, and the 'big
tune' has nobility and grandeur. The exultant coda is a
fitting end to an exhilarating performance.
The conductor draws forth sufficient dramatic energy in the outer movements
of the Third Symphony. In the first movement he achieves that heroic
quality, sadly missing in some performances I've heard. The slow
movement is lovingly phrased and ardently rendered, whilst the Poco
allegretto doesn't linger, and its more urgent pace pays dividends.
The transfers have been sourced from Japanese Columbias, except
for Brahms Symphony No. 3 where UK HMVs have been used. Opus Kura's non-interventionist
transfers mean that there is 78 surface noise audible throughout, but
it is in no way intrusive. In fact the sound is remarkably clean and
consistent in all four recordings, allowing the sheer potency and commitment
of the playing to shine forth. Booklet notes are in Japanese and English.
Stephen Greenbank
