Shostakovich: Symphony No. 6; Kodály: Dances of Galanta...

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
These pre-Chicago recordings of Fritz Reiner with the Pittsburghers is a reminder of his greatness as a conductor. It also restores to the catalog his recordings of some composers he wasn't closely identified with. Shostakovitch, for example, wasn't a regular on Reiner's studio schedule, but should have been, for this Sixth bristles with sardonic wit and energy. The Kodaly Dances, of course, were right up Reiner's alley, and get a smashing performance. The shorter works too, are first class, especially the Bart243;k Hungarian Sketches and another Reiner calling card, Kabalevsky's Colas Breugnon Overture. Weiner's string Divertimento is charming, but the real prize may be Glinka's Kamarinskaya, given a peformance that shimmers and glistens with delicacy and life. Sony's restoration of the 1945-1947 recordings is faultless. --Dan Davis

Tracks:

I. Largo
II. Allegro
III. Presto
I. Lento
II. Lento-Allegretto Moderato
III. Allegro Con Moto-Grazioso
IV. Allegro
I. Jo Alapos Csardas. Tempo Di Csardas (Quasi Alla Marcia)
II. Roka-Tanc. Vivace
III. Marosszeki Keringos. Allegretto Moderato (Quasi Andantino)
IV. Verbunkos. Tempo Di Marcia (Un Poco Grottescamente)
V. Csurdongolo. Presto
IV. Kicsit Azottan. Allegretto Rubato 'Slightly Tipsy' / >>Beschwipst < < / < >
II. Medvetanc. Allegro Vivace 'Bear Dance' / >>Barentanz < < / < >
Colas Breugnon Overture, Op. 24
Kamarinskaya

Amazon.com

These pre-Chicago recordings of Fritz Reiner with the Pittsburghers is a reminder of his greatness as a conductor. It also restores to the catalog his recordings of some composers he wasn't closely identified with. Shostakovitch, for example, wasn't a regular on Reiner's studio schedule, but should have been, for this Sixth bristles with sardonic wit and energy. The Kodaly Dances, of course, were right up Reiner's alley, and get a smashing performance. The shorter works too, are first class, especially the Bart243;k Hungarian Sketches and another Reiner calling card, Kabalevsky's Colas Breugnon Overture. Weiner's string Divertimento is charming, but the real prize may be Glinka's Kamarinskaya, given a peformance that shimmers and glistens with delicacy and life. Sony's restoration of the 1945-1947 recordings is faultless. --Dan Davis

Customer Reviews:

A true collector item!.......2005-07-25

There are several undeniable arguments that make of this treasured album a real must for you.
Fritz Reiner was a true champion in the orchestral direction. His obsessive frenzy for the accurate precision, his controversial personality, his profound concerns by improving the orchestral rank of almost forgotten orchestras as The Pittsburgh Symphonic, his tenacity and fierceness were unvaluable contributions in USA.
In what the performance of the Sixth Symphony, you nay consider this version is unique; conception merciless, brutal, biter and expressive without a bit of theatrality or false postures.
He made a true scalpel disection with this work.
The dark and somber passages if the First Movement were made with the major fullfillment level. I have tried with other versions in the market but it's impossible to find another one as this one.
The third movement with its kinetic and gay rhthym, find to Reiner in the height of his directorial powers. In the final code with the percusion, he gets a ritard effect as any other else.
The rest of the CD is fine, but the jewel of the crown i insist is this performance of the Sixth.
Go for this Cd just before this historical and unequal recording is out of the market.

Disregard other reviewer........1999-11-08

Reiner's interpretations of Shostakovich are incredible. The other works by Kablevsky, Gilnka, Weiner, Bartok and Kodaly are also excellent works that are, unfortunately, rarely recorded and played. This CD is an incredible find. I have the original 78 RPM recording and to have it on CD is a blessing. If you like this kind of music, jump on this CD.

Watch-out! recording is Low-to-No fidelity, mono only!.......1999-06-16

I require excellent sound to tear my mind away from the stressfull real-world and benefit from the healing effects of music. I was stunned to find this CD was MONO. The background HISS is disturbing enough to make relaxing to impossible.

Musically I am illiterate so I cannot comment on he "emotional" and musical details. To survive 60years this must be a worshipped recording among those-in-the-know.

Amazon should have the year of the recording in 40pt red font with the word MONO besides it. I hope to be able to return this CD.

Track Listings: