Four Interesting New Releases
JAMES, HIBBARD
MUSIC By Hibbard James Four Interesting New Releases Haydn, Trio No. 1 in G Major, and Schubert, Trio No. in B Flat Major, Alfred Corot, piano; Jacques Thibaud, violin; Pablo Casals, cello...
...Pablo Casals, cello (Angel COLH 12) : These two performances, recorded in 1926 and 1927, have an immense artistry which more than makes up for any difficulties in recording technique...
...Mozart, Piano Concerto in D Minor (K466), and Bach, Brandenburg Concerto No...
...the accompaniment (harpsichord, organ and cello) is skilful and inobtrusive...
...Fully secure in his command of the form, he could let technique take care of itself and write for the sheer joy of it...
...Yet he belongs to another time and another school...
...Though we no longer agree with the Fischer approach, no one can deny his power to execute his conception...
...104, Hans Rosbaud conducting the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra (Decca DL 9959): These two delightful symphonies are associated with Haydn's great success in England, after his freedom from years of dignified bondage to Prince Esterhazy...
...The recording has an added dividend, the Academic Festival Overture...
...he is at the top of his bent in the final movement, at once the greatest and most difficult...
...Couperin, Lecons de Tenebres (Westminster XWN 3581): Francois Couperin, most illustrious member of a family of eminent composers, had a wide influence on the musicians of his day—particularly on Bach's harpsichord writings...
...As usual with Westminster, the technical aspects of the recording are excellent...
...In this music composed for Holy Week services, he achieves an intensity of feeling worthy of the master himself...
...This is one of a series Angel is putting out under the title "Great Recordings of the Century...
...there is no exaggeration in this case...
...After the first few moments, the exquisite beauty of the three performances made me forget hi-fi, stereo and everything except the wonder of great instrumentalists coming into perfect contact with great music...
...Hans Rosbaud seems to have caught Haydn's carefree spirit, and the orchestra echoes him down to the last dotted semi-quaver and crotchet...
...3, Otto Klemperer conducting the Philharmonia Orchestra (Angel 35545): Klemperer and Brahms go together very well...
...in fact, we don't even expect to have Bach's music performed on the piano...
...MUSIC By Hibbard James Four Interesting New Releases Haydn, Trio No...
...We just don't look for Fischer's kind of interpretation when it comes to playing Mozart or Bach...
...92 and Symphony No...
...Brahms, Symphony No...
...5, Edwin Fischer, pianist-conductor, and the Philharmonia Orchestra (Angel 35593): Since the time I first began to listen to serious music, I have assumed that Edwin Fischer is the interpreter of Mozart's piano music...
...The Fischer concept involved plenty of schmalz, out of fashion today when it comes to the early masters...
...Tenor soloists Hugues Cuenod and Gino Sinimberghi do a fine job...
...Nevertheless, I thoroughly enjoyed this recording...
...Haydn, Symphony No...
...It is a charming performance, and the recording technique is impeccable...
...They represent Haydn at the culmination of his symphonic gifts...
Vol. 41 • September 1958 • No. 33
