A Classic from a Master
T. Webster | Alaska | 10/12/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Serge Koussevitzky conducted the Boston Symphony from 1924 to 1949. He is noted for his passionate performances of Russian music, Richard Strauss, Sibelius, Ravel, Debussy, Berlioz, and 20th Century American composers, but his Beethoven could be very exciting. A double-bass virtuoso in his youth, Kousevitzky's BSO recordings often reveal the lower string parts better than his contemporaries among conductors. This recording of the Beethoven 5th with the BSO is difficult to find. The recording he made with the London Symphony is relatively easy to find but is not nearly as exciting as this one. Listen to the basses in the slow movement! The recording of the Egmont Overture on this disc is also very exciting. The sound is average for the era, but if you respond to this style of conducting, you will soon adapt to it. Essential for any collector of Koussevitzky recordings."