SOMM RECORDINGS announces the first release of never before available performances by one of the defining partnerships of modern American music in the specially priced two-CD set George Szell and the Cleveland Orchestra: The Forgotten Recordings.
Long considered one of America’s “Big Five” orchestras, the Cleveland Orchestra entered its second century in 2018 and earlier this year was hailed by The New York Times as “America’s finest [orchestra] still”.
The Forgotten Recordings features eight historic performances made for the Book-of-the-Month Club in 1954 and 1955 – seven of which are first releases – that have been restored and remastered by the multi-award- winning audio restoration engineer Lani Spahr, who also provides extensive and informative booklet notes.
Three works – Bach’s Third Orchestral Suite (BWV 1068), a revealing engagement by Szell with a composer he is not usually associated with, Smetana’s The Moldau and Strauss’s Till Eulenspiegel (with an early spotlight on legendary horn player Myron Bloom) were recorded in mono in a remarkably productive session on Christmas Eve, 1954.
From October 1955 in stereo recordings are two works by Brahms – his Haydn Variations and the Academic Festival Overture, two symphonies – Mozart’s No.39 and Schumann’s Fourth – and a Stravinsky Firebird Suite that “crackles with energy”.
“Here”, says Spahr, “we can appreciate that the orchestra was well on its way to becoming, in Szell’s words, ‘this glorious instrument… that perfectly reflects my musical ideals’.”
Lani Spahr’s restorations of historic Elgar recordings for SOMM include Elgar Rediscovered (SOMMCD 0167), the four-disc set Elgar Remastered (SOMMCD 261-4) hailed by Audiophilia as “a fascinating achievement which will have you wishing for more”, and two volumes of Elgar from America (Ariadne 5005 and 5008), which MusicWeb International called “a model of one of the things the CD should be doing: filling the medium to capacity with engaging and/or controversial interpretations that one cannot simply over-hear…Essential listening”.
On This Recording
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CD 1
- Orchestral Suite No.3 in D major, BWV 1068 – Ouverture
- Orchestral Suite No.3 in D major, BWV 1068 – Air
- Orchestral Suite No.3 in D major, BWV 1068 – Gavotte I/II
- Orchestral Suite No.3 in D major, BWV 1068 – Bourrée
- Orchestral Suite No.3 in D major, BWV 1068 – Gigue
- The Moldau (Vltava) from Má vlast
- Till Eulenspiegel’s Merry Pranks
- Symphony No. 39 in E flat, K543 – Adagio – Allegro
- Symphony No. 39 in E flat, K543 – Andante con moto
- Symphony No. 39 in E flat, K543 – Menuetto
- Symphony No. 39 in E flat, K543 – Allegro
- Academic Festival Overture, Op.80
- Variations on a Theme by Haydn, Op.56 – Thema – Chorale St. Antoni – Andante
- Variations on a Theme by Haydn, Op.56 – Variation I: Poco più animato
- Variations on a Theme by Haydn, Op.56 – Variation II: Più vivace
- Variations on a Theme by Haydn, Op.56 – Variation III: Con moto
- Variations on a Theme by Haydn, Op.56 – Variation IV: Andante con moto
- Variations on a Theme by Haydn, Op.56 – Variation V: Vivace
- Variations on a Theme by Haydn, Op.56 – Variation VI: Vivace
- Variations on a Theme by Haydn, Op.56 – Variation VII: Grazioso
- Variations on a Theme by Haydn, Op.56 – Variation VII: Presto non troppo
- Variations on a Theme by Haydn Op.56 – Finale – Andante
- Symphony No. 4 in D minor, Op.120 Ziemlich langsam-Lebhaft
- Symphony No. 4 in D minor, Op.120 – Romanze: Ziemlich langsam
- Symphony No. 4 in D minor, Op.120 – Scherzo: Lebhaft
- Symphony No. 4 in D minor, Op.120 – Langsam – Lebhaft
- The Firebird Suite (1919 Version) – Introduction
- The Firebird Suite (1919 Version) – The Firebird and its Dance
- The Firebird Suite (1919 Version) – Variation of the Firebird
- The Firebird Suite (1919 Version) – Round of the Princesses
- The Firebird Suite (1919 Version) – Infernal Dance of King Kastchei
- The Firebird Suite (1919 Version) – Lullaby
- The Firebird Suite (1919 Version) – Finale
J.S. Bach
Smetana
Richard Strauss
Mozart
CD2
Brahms
Schumann
Stravinsky
Reviews:
“The recordings which come to us from SOMM were made in 1954 and 1955 for the Book of the Month Club, a subscription mail-order service. They demonstrate that the Cleveland Orchestra… had already achieved the stratospheric level for which it was admired, during the 1960s, by the greatest, Karajan above all.… Thanks to the magician Lani Spahr… Even the most demanding listener will be thrilled. A major discovery.” —Hugues Mousseau, Diapason – Diapason D’Or distinction
“newly released in an expert Lani Spahr transfer by SOMM as part of a two-disc programme of Szell/Clevland recordings… Two items could as well serve as benchmark examples of Szell’s art, Smetana’s Vlatava, where woods and meadows, the farmer’s wedding, the round dance of the mermaids, and the moonlight scene are all beautifully handled, a perfect example of each orchestral desk listening to what the others are doing. … Another highlight is Stravinsky’s 1919 Firebird Suite, a veritable ‘concerto for orchestra’, where the Clevelanders excel in every department. … Spahr himself produced the collection and undertook the audio restoration, and has additionally provided first-rate annotation. If there are any Szell doubters among your music-loving friends, this excellent set might prove a compelling way to win them over.” —Rob Cowan, Gramophone (Editor’s Choice)
“…it’s fascinating to hear the partnership when their much-vaunted precision was well in progress, if not immaculate. … The stereo recordings… show how far the orchestra had come… a masterclass in pacing, with some beautiful wind playing. Best of all are Schumann’s Fourth Symphony, which gets the kick it needs, especially in the scherzo and finale, and Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite, colourful and balletic.” —Martin Cotton, BBC Music Magazine (Critic’s Choice ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
“All the works featured are making a first appearance on CD, with the exception of Brahms’ Variations on a Theme by Haydn. These compelling aural documents have been expertly restored by Lani Spahr, who has also contributed the booklet notes, running to 19 pages. All in all, the entire project is an unmitigated success.” —Stephen Greenbank, MusicWeb International
“One of the great conductors, George Szell remains synonymous with the Cleveland Orchestra, the ensemble he moulded into one of the World’s elite… This Somm twofer features eight historic performances… [and] splendid they sound, too, whether mono or stereo, all set down in the Masonic Auditorium. … Phenomenal playing.” —Colin Anderson, Colins Column
“These 1954-55 discs show Szell at his most powerful, and his Cleveland players on the way to becoming among the world’s best. … Bach’s Suite 3, Schumann’s Symphony No 4, Brahms’s Haydn Variation, Stravinsky’s 1919 Firebird, and Smetana and Strauss (Till Eulenspiegel) are all splendidly vital and incisive.” —David Cairns, The Sunday Times
“…an effective archway rife with the Cleveland magic, and we gladly embrace this performance restored to us. … Szell leads the orchestra to a brilliant apotheosis, fine testimony to his boast that ‘This orchestra plays like a very great soloist’.” —Gary Lemco, Audiophile Audition ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (Full Review)