Mathis der Maler, symphony (from opera): 1. Engelkonzert
Mathis der Maler, symphony (from opera): 2. Grablegung
Mathis der Maler, symphony (from opera): 3. Versuchung des heiligen Antonius
Symphonic Metamorphosis of Themes by Carl Maria von Weber, for orchestra: 1. Allegro
Symphonic Metamorphosis of Themes by Carl Maria von Weber, for orchestra: 2. 'Turandot, Scherzo'. Moderato - Lebhaft
Symphonic Metamorphosis of Themes by Carl Maria von Weber, for orchestra: 3. Andantino
Symphonic Metamorphosis of Themes by Carl Maria von Weber, for orchestra: 4. Marsch
Variations on A Theme by Hindemith, for orchestra
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 »oncerto, 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« less
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
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."
Still a bargain
vline | 01/23/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)
"As far as I can tell, the Mathis der Maler symphony is played quite well here, although I haven't heard other recordings. It seems to be frequently cited as Hindemith's masterpiece, but it is somewhat austere, and if you are like me it will require many listenings to fully appreciate. (I admit I still get "lost" in the last movement.) Next we have some of my favorite orchestral pieces ever, the Metamorphoses on themes of Weber. While the Metamorphoses on this CD are probably executed technically perfectly, itself an impressive accomplishment, I have to say that I think more blending of the sound is desirable. I prefer the two other recordings of these pieces I have heard. Here, with the brass parts played extremely abruptly and no blending whatsoever between voices the playing comes off as harsh and insensitive. (This is worst in the first and second movements, the last two are not so bad.) However, the piece is certainly still enjoyable. Walton's variations is a nice piece but not particularly remarkable. Overall, I would say a good deal for the price but not my first choice for the metamorphoses."
"It should be noted that George Szell is not exactly one of my devoted and favorite conductors. But I in this case, I would affirm that we are in front maybe, of his best musical achievement: these Variations on a Theme by Hindemith simply can not be played better. Not only is the majestic sound of this emblematic Orchestra but the magnificent approach and total euphoria you may perceive around all the ensemble. Szell was in a superb mood, conferring it the necessary presence, musculature and stamina to the score.
In what concerns to Ormandy 's Mathis Mahler I differ from other reviewers. The Philadelphian strings were out of this world; and constitute almost a nature 's force. The tempo is slow but effective, Ormandy gradually maintains the rhythmic pulsation preparing us through the inscrutable mystery of this emblematic score, one of the most remarkable and possibly the best entrance gate to approach Hindemith as I did. There are two interesting performances about this score that I love so much as an almost forgotten reading of Paul Kletzki with the Suise Romande and obviously the incandescent version of the own composer conducting the Berlin Philharmonic.
In the Symphonic Metamorphoses, there is just a version: Rafael Kubelik and the Chicago Symphony.