DEUTSCHE
GRAMMOPHON
The
Mono Era 1948-1957
Deutsche
Grammophon 479 5516 (51 CDs)
****1/2
****1/2
Given the recent worldwide craze in
collecting vinyl recordings and an upsurge of nostalgia, it is not surprising
that the major recording labels are reopening their archival vaults for reissue
and re-acquaintance. This box-set of selected monaural recordings from the
German label's vast catalogue is a revelation, not just because of the quality
of the performances. The original sleeve art of the albums, with their iconic
yellow covers, has also been reproduced.
Thanks to their longevity, the Amadeus
Quartet, pianists Shura Cherkassky, Wilhelm Kempff and Sviatoslav Richter,
baritone Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, conductors Wilhelm Furtwängler and Lorin
Maazel are names which are still familiar to modern listeners. It is
fascinating to sample some of their earlier work.
Just as interesting are the recordings by
pianists Stefan Ashkenase (in Chopin Sonatas)
and Andor Foldes (Liszt and Rachmaninov Piano
Concertos), bass Josef Greindl (Schubert's Winterreise), cellists
Ludwig Hoelscher (Brahms, Grieg and Strauss Cello Sonatas) Enrico
Mainardi (Haydn and Schumann Cello
Concertos), violinist Johanna Martzy (a violin recital programme), the
Loewenguth Quartet (Debussy and Ravel String
Quartets) and conductors Fritz Rieger, Fritz Lehmann and Ferdinand Leitner.
Does anybody today remember who they were? Thanks to these invaluable
documents, many issued on CD for the first time, their names will not be
forgotten.
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