Record Reviews

By John M. Conly

Beethoven: Quartet in A Minor, Op. 132 (Vienna Konzerthaus Quartet; Westminster: 12‴ LP). Best of this group’s Beethoven series, which is saying plenty. More robust, less otherworldly than the old Budapest version, but deep and tasteful. Splendid recording.

Couperin and Rameau: A Harpsichord Recital (Sylvia Marlowe, harpsichord; M-G-M: 10‴ LP). Rameau’s “Hen” is well known. Even more captivating is Couperin’s delightful lampoon, “Festivities of the Great and Ancient Order of Musicians.” Rich, resonant recording.

Debussy: La Mer, together with Mendelssohn: Incidental Music to A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Toscanini conducting NBC Symphony; RCA Victor: 12‴ LP or two 45 albums). LP fanciers have long awaited RCA’s transposition to microgroove of this 1948 Mendelssohn. Now, when it comes, it is entirely dwarfed by the maestro’s gorgeous, towering rendition of La Mer, certainly one of the topmost recorded performances of all time. Here is the indescribable but unmistakable touch of genius; even the engineers were inspired. This is a must.

Glazounov: Concerto for Saxophone and Siring Orchestra, together with Ibert: Concertino da Camera (Vincent Abato, saxophone, with string orchestra conducted by Norman Pickering and Sylvan Shulman; Philharmonia: 12‴ LP). This is one of several very attractive works for unexpected solo instruments Philharmonia has recorded. Others include guitar quintets by Boccherini and Malipicro and harp quintets by Bax and Ibert. Since conductor Pickering is also inventor Pickering of magnetic phono-pickup fame, the recording (all done in the Village Church, Bronxville, N.Y.) is naturally exemplary.

Haydn: Symphonies No. 99 in E Flat Major and No. 101, “The Clock,” in D Major (Hermann Scherchen conducting Vienna State Opera Orchestra; Westminster: 12‴ LP). Thanks to the admirable Scherchen, one can now refer to Haydn as “mighty” and “profound” without being eyed askance. This No. B99 is mighty and profound. The “Clock” is nice, too. Fine recording.

Mozart: Sinfonia Concertante in E Flat Major (Walter Barylli, violin; Paul Doktor. viola; Felix Prohaska conducting Vienna State Opera Orchestra; Westminster: 12” LP). A little hurried in parts; otherwise fine. Well recorded.

Peter, Johann Friedrich: Viola Quintets in D Major and E Flat Major (Moravian Quintet; New Records: 10‴ LP). Peter was a Pennsylvania. contemporary of Mozart. In Vienna he might have become lamous; he was good. Another handsome piece of Americana by New Records: the Margaret Dodd Singers’ performance of eight psalms from the 1640 Cambridge Bay Psalm, Book.

Prokofieff: Lieutenant Kijé and Scythian Suite (Hermann Scherchen conducting Vienna Symphony Orchestra; Westminster: 12" LP). How does Westminster keep it up? In this offering it has one of the two best orchestral recordings extant — and the best Prokofielf performance on disks.

Purcell: “Great” Chaconne and Ten Four-Part Fantasias (Franz Litsehauer conducting Vienna Chamber Orchestra; Vanguard: 12" LP). Good Purcell, even if slightly Germanic. Well recorded, but some records warped.

Rachmaninoff: Symphony No. 2 in E Minor (Eugene Ormandy conducting Philadelphia Orchestra; Columbia: 12" LP). A brew of bittersweet magic, truly irresistible on all counts.

Treasury of Immortal Performances, Second Series (RCA Victor: six 12‴ and one 10‴ L.P’s or seven 45 albums). As he did before, engineer Albert Pulley has made these reprints better than the original shellacs. Items, all amply publicized already, include Caruso in Opera and Song; John McCormack and Rosa Ponsellc ditto; Great Pianists of the Past Play Chopin; Aïda of Yesterday; Stars of the Golden Age and Famous Duets (operatic). Most impressive performances — if any can be singled out from all this virtuosity — are McCormack’s Tristan aria and “I Hear You Calling Me,” and Joseph Lhcvinne’s playing of the Polonaise in A Flat.