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Hindemith: Symphony "Mathis der Maler" Symphonic Metamorphoses / Walton: Variations on a Theme by Hindemith
Paul Hindemith, Sir William Walton, Eugene Ormandy
Hindemith: Symphony "Mathis der Maler" Symphonic Metamorphoses / Walton: Variations on a Theme by Hindemith
Genre: Classical
 
  •  Track Listings (8) - Disc #1

Walton's Variations on a Theme of Hindemith is the symphonic masterpiece of his late years. Hindemith himself loved it. The tune is actually the entire first section of the slow movement of the German composer's Cello C...  more »

     
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CD Details

All Artists: Paul Hindemith, Sir William Walton, Eugene Ormandy, George Szell, Philadelphia Orchestra, Cleveland Orchestra
Title: Hindemith: Symphony "Mathis der Maler" Symphonic Metamorphoses / Walton: Variations on a Theme by Hindemith
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 0
Label: Sony
Release Date: 10/19/1993
Album Type: Original recording remastered
Genre: Classical
Styles: Historical Periods, Modern, 20th, & 21st Century, Symphonies
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 074645325828

Synopsis

Amazon.com essential recording
Walton's Variations on a Theme of Hindemith is the symphonic masterpiece of his late years. Hindemith himself loved it. The tune is actually the entire first section of the slow movement of the German composer's Cello Concerto, one of his finest melodies. George Szell's performance is simply definitive. In fact, I would go out on a limb and say that purely in terms of the technical quality of the playing, this is one of the top ten classical recordings ever made. It's so close to perfection as to be beyond criticism, and the same holds true for the performance of the Symphonic Metamorphoses. Eugene Ormandy's warmly Romantic Mathis der Maler Symphony is also quite recommendable. At budget price, you can own a little piece of recording history. Stunning. --David Hurwitz

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CD Reviews

Walton/Szell earn the 5 stars by themselves
MARTIN SELBREDE | GEORGETOWN, TX United States | 03/25/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)

"David Hurwitz's review of the Walton work is indeed accurate. The crystal clarity, deep intensity, and pristine balance achieved by Szell and the Cleveland players is phenomenal. The only complaint one could make about the recording is the same complaint one usually makes about Glenn Gould recordings: you can hear Szell humming/singing over the orchestra during frenetic passages. The interpretation is definitive. (Compare to the far more recent digitally-recorded Naxos version under Paul Daniel and you'll beeline back to Szell in a heartbeat.) The Hindemith offerings under Ormandy are serviceable, being the first versions of those works to which I was exposed. When they were first released on vinyl (Epic, Columbia), there were precious few options for record collectors for these Hindemith works. This is no longer the case; today, one would be better served looking to Abbado/Berlin or Bernstein/Israel, for a more compelling Mathis der Maler in particular. Blomstedt is also in the running (I caught his live performance of Hindemith's Die Harmonie der Welt symphony in Los Angeles, which was superb AND far better than his recording of that work.) Buy this CD for the Walton, though, and enjoy the Hindemith as a bonus."
Well Played
vline | Carmel, IN | 06/12/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)

"Paul Hindemith's "Mathis Der Maler", notable not just for its moving melodies but for it's historical significance, is unmistakably played to the high standards of some of music's greatest orchestral conductors, Eugene Ormandy and Goerge Szell. The characteristic lush string sound of the Philadelphia Orchestra is perfect for this work, while Szell Elicits a gorgeous woodwind sound with the Cleveland Orchestra. More specifically, I am impressed by the March from symphonic metamorphoses, alternating grim and foreboding moods with triumphant fflourishes from the brass. This is the ideal CD for an introduction to the music fo Paul Hindemith."
Wonderful, Simply Excellent!!!
vline | 01/23/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)

"After reading Mr. Hurwitz's review of this CD, I was somewhat skeptical. But, since it was budget price, I decided, hey, even if it isn't as good as he says (more about that soon), it can't be less than very good, and at this price, it's worth it. It was definately worth it. Every word of Mr. Hurwitz's review holds true. The sound quality shows its age only when compared to more modern recordings (and more so in the Mathis than the Metamorphoses or Variations), and never ever gets in the way of a thoroughly enjoyable disc. This is the absolute reccomendation for Hindemiths's Symphonic Metamorphoses and Walton's Vasriations on a Theme by Hindemith, and the Mathis is excellent, too. If it's the Mathis you're after, you'd do well to check out Blomstedt or some other recordings for the best performance, but it is worth it just for the 23 minutes Walton piece if you are a Walton fan. Hindemith fans should hear the Symphonic Metamorphoses, and this Mathis won't her them either. No matter what, this is heartily reccomended, and a good introduction to either composer."