RECORDS Brandenburgs And Brahms

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29130, 16 February 1960, Page 12

RECORDS Brandenburgs And Brahms

BACH: Brandenburr Concerto No«. 1,2 and 3. Paul Sacher conducting the Basle Chamber Orchestra. Philips Mono. S.MO3&. L (121 n The distinguishing feature of Sacher’s readings is beautifully alive and easy-paced rhythm, which is all too seldom found in performances of the Brandenburg concerti. There is none of th e heavy-footed plodding or sewing, machine jogging which is found in the only other complete recerd. ing available —by the Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra under Karl Munchinger. (A second record by the Basle group contains the remaining three concerti, but it has not been received for review). The keystone is the unidentified Basle harpsichordist (he may be the conductor), whose continue playing is lively and imaginative throughout. In No. 3 he links the two movements with a splendid improvisation on the theme of the first movement. In No. 2 the trumpeter has a few lapses of intonation, but he is balanced so that the other soloists are clearly audible. In No. 1 one of the greatest delights is the dialogue between horn and oboe near the end. The authentic violino piccolo is used in this concerto. The recording is excellent. BRAHMS: Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 77. Jascha Heifetx (violin) and Fritz Reiner conducting the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. RCA mono. R5L.3564 The old problem of balancing soloist and orchestra arises again here; if the volume is set to suit the orchestra the soloist is uncomfortably loud and close. Some may like it that way, so brilliant is Heifetz’s fiddling, but it is unnatural. Heifetz’s vigorous playing contrasts with his serene performance of the Beethoven concerto but it is no less magnificent In the other movements his speeds are fast and he plays with great spirit. The slow movement is less romantic than in some other versions but Heifetz’s phrasing is wonderfully grand and refined. The orchestra plays well and Reiner directs it adequately without making and very strong contribution. The recorded sound is generally rather thin. JOHANN STRAUSS H: “Die Zigeunerbaron”—Als flotter Geist; Ja, das Schreiben; Da klingt es hohl; Wer uns getraut. HUde Zadek (soprano), Julius Patzak (tenor), Kurt Preger (baritone) and Klemens Krauss conducting the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. Decca mono CEPM.SBS (7in). « This is so much better than any other collection of “Gypsy Baron” excerpts available that it is a pity there are not more numbers. The gem is Patzak’s splendid “Als flotter Geist,” of which John Charles Thomas once made a horrible record, using an absurd text, with the title “Open Road." The duets, both very well known, are charmingly sung by Patzak and Zadek, and Preger is excellent in “Ja, das Schreiben," in which the pig farmer, Zsupan, explains his preference for swine over literacy. The excerpts, taken from a complete recording, also have the great advantage of being conducted by that incomparable Strauss conductor, Klemens Krauss.