Magical
L. Ackerman | Ashburn, VA (USA) | 07/15/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Think of this: if you can make Ravel's "Bolero" sound special, you know you are listening to a magical conductor. Eduard van Beinum might not be in the laymen's minds the same way Stokowski or Toscanini were, but whatever he did, he made it sound right. And having the Amsterdam Concertgebouw Orchestra in front certainly helped the proceedings.
These Haydn performances are just about perfect. Elegant, lovingly phrased, never boring. Even Philips recorded him superbly (surely helped by the Concertgebouw's outstanding acoustics). You forget these are in MONO.
Sadly, Maestro van Beinum died relatively young for a conductor; one of those "what if...." that makes us, collectors, sigh."
Milestone recordings!
Hiram Gomez Pardo | Valencia, Venezuela | 08/07/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The well gained reputation of Eduard van Beinum (since his debut in 1931 until his regrettable death in 1959) left the musical world without a conductor who knew to give it the Concertgebouw a fascinating sound. He gifted the Orchestra a plangent lyricism and a sound far from the lush reverberations of the last stage of the Romanticism.
He enriched the sonorous possibilities of the metals and winds sections and the strings acquired an enviable expressiveness.
He was one the most distinguished directors in what Bruckner concerns, as well Bartok and Kodaly. And this album shows us how refined his Haydn was.
These recordings are (without forgetting the notable artistic feat of Hermann Scherchen in the early Fifties) an invaluable contribution to make us know the grace, elusive charm and distinguished freshness of Papa Haydn.
Don't miss this glorious album.
"