12 Conductors Who (Almost) Never Made A Bad Record

[@mikesnelling9272]

Charles Mackerras; you are absolutely right, he was outstanding, both in recording and in the opera house, where I was fortunate enough to hear him several times. I feel about him as you do, the depth and breadth of his work was amazing and he worked in so many different ways with so many different ensembles. He also virtually introduced the west to Janacek and put him the mainstream repertoire and was very important in the early music movement. However there seemed to be so friction with Solti at the Royal Opera. But he still appears regularly on recommended lists for recordings of so many works, unlike his nemesis.

[@annecheng7761]

Great recommendations! I've learnt a lot. Glad you mentioned Sir Charles Groves. I had the privilege of hearing him give a talk at my school many years ago. He was modest, funny and knowledgeable as well as a perfect gentleman.

[@TheAboriginal1]

Dave, I could (and do) listen to your talks for hours! You are doing the world a great service!

[@CliveLamdin]

YESSS.

[@rev.peterschiefelbein5638]

As I digested this video, I thought of one more I would add to your list: Stanislaus Skrowacewski. After reveling in his Bruckner cycle I decided to go back to his 70’s Minnesota recordings. I have never understood why his Ravel recordings sank out of sight. Marvelous sound, great playing, and conducting that sounds utterly natural in delicacy, humor, and fire. His Barton/Prokofiev box from the same period is also insightful. I don’t know his entire input, but if the beginning and end of his recording career are any indication, he deserves recognition

[@leestamm3187]

Great list. As a Slatkin fan for many years, I particularly agree with that choice. Also, for those who might be interested, there is a KZbin channel dedicated to Silvestri that has many of his radio broadcast concerts in good sound, as well as a number of other rarely heard recordings.

[@dmntuba]

This was a lot of fun👍 Great list, and everyone on it deserves to be there...and a special thanks for including Sir Charles Groves and you described his career/situation perfectly. A little surprised Ormandy was absent from list, but we know...we all know 👍 We really need a sit down with you & Slatkin. He's the only conductor you could do a face to face deep dive with that could keep up with you & give great, deep answers/ memories to all your questions.

[@이말러]

I was introduced to Bernstein's Haydn symphonies by your videos. Changed my perspective completely of both the composer and conductor. Thanks for making these videos!

[@Antoineduval159]

Yes I totally agree. I avoided his Haydn in the belief he was too theatrical for this period of music. Wow how wrong I was.... they are the most refined, beautiful, measured and elegant performances, and the playing of the NY Philharmonic sounded as though it came from heaven. How wrong I was.

[@respighi3]

Was privileged to attend a performance of Britten's "BILLY BUDD" @ Covent Garden in 1971...conducted by Sir Charles Mackerras.

[@rev.peterschiefelbein5638]

Dave, you’re costing me money! But in a wonderful way. I have derived great enjoyment from your suggestions. Thank you for including Stokowski, who taught me it was ok to take chances, and kudos for listing Mackerras as your top choice. In high school I struggled with depression. I treated it by putting on his early recording of Handel’s Royal Fireworks and Concertos for two wind bands and strings and it worked every time

[@nicholasjschlosser1724]

Great list, and can't say I disagree with any of those listed. And Mackerras definitely deserves the unofficial top spot. I'd add Eugen Jochum as another conductor who always delivered great, consistent performances on record. Fantastic Beethoven, Brahms, Schubert, Mozart, his Bach B minor mass, Elgar's Enigma, even a great Mahler Das Lied. His claim to be one of the greats is already solid before we consider his Bruckner.

[@bjork86]

terrible das lied :/ not even haefliger can save his bored conducting of the trinklied

[@pauloqueiroz9611]

Great video, Dave! Agree with Bernstein 100%, some others I’m looking forward to start listening soon. Am especially curious about Silvestre and Ančel. But, can’t help chiming in: what about Reiner? His Living Stereo legacy is quite impressive. Also Charles Munch for RCA? Best regards!

[@ftumschk]

I would nominate Reiner also. I have the complete RCA box set, and I don't think I've found a dud in there. Only this week, I've started listening to his 1940s mono recordings with the Pittsburgh Symphony, and they're mighty fine too.

[@pauloqueiroz9611]

I totally agree! He was a fantastic musician and his Chicago Symphony had a marvelous sound and precision!

[@halross3447]

I purchased the Mozart Symphonies, with Sir Charles Mackerras conducting the Prague Chamber Orchestra (based on your recommendation). I can’t begin to describe the pleasure, and happiness I’ve enjoyed while listening to them over, and over again. Prior to that, I was only familiar with his Janacek, which is also incredible. Couldn’t agree with you more. Thanks Dave!

[@leestamm3187]

In my experience, Mackerras was dependably excellent whatever he conducted. Having been a pupil of Václav Talich, he shaped ensemble sound with great skill and was particularly good in the Czech repertoire.

[@jkryanspark]

I can't get past the use of the harpsichord continuo.

[@CliveLamdin]

Dave, so many comments here congratulating you on this and other reviews. You deserve every one of them. Thank you

[@nigelsimeone9966]

Thanks for such an enjoyable and interesting video. I'm with you 100% on Charles Mackerras and most of the others in your list. Of course these things come down to personal taste, but I'd include Eugen Jochum and would be very tempted to add Charles Munch (apart from a couple of late disappointments).

[@siegfriedwewers]

Günter Wand never disappoints me.

[@maudia27]

I was thinking about it early this week.

[@rtisom]

It warmed my heart to see Ferenc Fricsay topping off your list. He has been my favorite and I have collected just about everything of his, since I heard the reissue disc with him conducting Martzy and Morini playing the Glazunov, Bruch and Dvorak works. His one regrettable effort was the absolutely lamentable recording of Schubert’s 9th symphony, during his brief sojourn as guest conductor with the Houston Symphony - yes, Fricsay came to Texas! It is unlistenable. Also, Vegh’s live recordings of Haydn on the Orfeo label, are not to be overlooked.

[@endicot1949]

Excellent list! I listened to each entry in your presentation with bated breath (I didn't cheat and preview your list in the description). Yes, there was Fricsay and then Ančerl and Groves and Bernstein, et al, however there was someone missing. I was itching to go to the keyboard and at you. But my patience was rewarded and you came through at the very end with Charles Mackerras. Thank you!.

[@hallingerman2168]

Wonderful choices, Dave.Thank you! I would add Eugene Ormandy, who never brought forth an ugly note from the Philadelphia Orchestra in his many years with them. And Otmar Suitner, who didn't make as many recordings as some conductors, but his Bruckner (Sym. 7, 8), his Dvorak symphonies and others are terrific. As for Stokowski, I will always be grateful to him for his work with Walt Disney on Fantasia and his many premieres of unknown works. Note: Henry Cowell's Koto Concerto and various works of Alan Hovhaness, especially" Praise the Lord with Psaltery."

[@robertjones447]

Hear hear!

[@ianng9915]

Don't forget Charles Munch

[@robertbubeck9194]

Dave's list is a fine one, but I agree that Ormandy should have been included. He went up to bat (to use a baseball metaphor) many, many more times than any other conductor on the list. Except for some mastering problems through the faults of Columbia and RCA, one has to search pretty hard for the few truly "bad" recordings out of the 400+. Ormandy maintained a very high standard and often hit the ball out of the park.

[@jegog.]

Have you heard Ormandy's recording of Handel's Messiah? Had he stayed away from baroque music (especially choral music) I might agree with putting him on the list.

[@robertjones447]

@@jegog. I have his Messiah, which is awesome! So are his many records of Bach transcriptions. So, yes, Ormandy is still on my list.

[@steveschwartz8944]

Mackerras's Pineapple Poll is brilliant. For Sullivan freaks like me, it is a highly entertaining puzzle. He doesn't just take whole themes but splits them into patchwork measures, so that a phrase from Mikado might be joined to one from Pirates. You find yourself flummoxed from one moment to the next, with little idea how you wound up there - the joins are that smooth.

[@juliendupre8704]

I'm surprised you didn't include Markevitch ! Although you probably would if you had more space on the list. Love your videos !

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Yes. he easily could have been on the list too, but as you suggest, it was getting long. I started wanting to do only 10, but that was impossible.

[@davidbo8400]

Probably because he didn't make any bad record

[@falesch]

Oh yes!! Stokowski's Brahms 4th at what, age 94!? White hot! I recall you didn't like his tinkering in the RCA Mahler 2. We differ...adds to the fun.

[@melodymaker135]

Markevitch = magic Tchaikovsky

[@melodymaker135]

“It just always sounded like it mattered.” (Dave on C. Silvestri) What a beautiful statement. I’m a rock-and-pop professional and a lover (non-practitioner) of classical music, and this statement holds true across all music. I strongly suspect my painter-sculptor wife would agree.

[@arieldovlindgren]

That's the statement that hit me strongly as well - “It just always sounded like it mattered.” (Dave on C. Silvestri)

[@rugerthedog396]

After watching a number of these videos, concluding with this one, I have come around on my thinking about Stokowski. I no longer consider my long-time affection for Stoky stuff a guilty pleasure, now guilt-free. Also glad to see Slatkin continue to get his due. A thought-provoking video indeed!

[@johnporter8678]

I am so glad that you chose Charles Mackerras - a great Australian talent. Wonderful Janacek, G&S and other English music. As you said, it would be great to have a comprehensive box or two of his recordings.

[@stephenkenny1647]

His recording of Hansel and Gretel in English with the Philharmonia is also fab. The fact I wasn't convinced going in shows your his (and the casts) abilities.

[@ignaciogonzalez6197]

Great list Dave! I would like to add two. Fist, Igor Markevitch. Again, a composer/conductor as Martinon. I remember your video on his Phillips box saying how everything is wonderful! Secondly, and maybe a bit harder to judge, would be Tulio Serafin. As far as I am concerned there are only opera recordings featuring him, and while the singing could be variable, the orchestral accompaniment is always of a really high standard.

[@TheVaughan5]

Your recommendations are very much in line with mine. As I said in my other post it’s very difficult when only 12 conductors are chosen and I would totally agree with your two recommendations. From my experience I don’t think either conductor ever made a bad recording and certainly made some absolutely classics. I’ll site two examples. Berlioz “La Damnation de Faust” / Markevitch. Bellini “Norma” (1961) Serafin. 😁

[@GarthAstrology]

Absolutely, Tullio Serafin! And Vittorio Gui!

[@MichaelCattermole]

You make a very persuasive case for each of your choices Dave, and I'm so pleased that Charles Mackerras features so prominently. Mackerras wasn't able to record The Excursions of Mr Broucek as part of his ground-breaking series of Janacek operas for Decca, and this omission is surely regrettable - he did however conduct the opera splendidly at the ENO in London (and elsewhere?), and so it wasn't due to apathy that he never made a recording, and perhaps more to do with financial constraints. But as we know, Mackerras was a first class musician who manifested the utmost care and dedication in all that he achieved, and his recording legacy is a joy. Three other contenders would be Eugen Jochum, Paavo Berglund and Riccardo Muti (and Neeme Jarvi if I'm allowed to be greedy!).

[@stephenkenny1647]

Didn't realise that was the case. Imagine what it would have done for the work if he'd recorded it

[@melodymaker135]

Time to dig into Charles Mackerras. Thanks again Dave!!

[@Fountainhall1]

A fascinating talk as always Dave… did you consider including Sir Thomas Beecham? In another video your comments on his Haydn London Symphonies were spot on.

[@rolandonavarro3170]

And Barbirolli. Another great conductor 👏👏

[@markgibson6654]

I particularly appreciate your comments about Stokowski. Because of you i sought out some of his youtube performances and I have been astonished at the expressiveness,musicality sense of architecture in many of them and extraordinary beauty of sound in all of them. The Brahms 4th you mentioned has become one of my favorite recordings. I also have come to appreciate Leonard Bernstein more than I had, thanks to you. Thanks David.

[@jefolson6989]

Me too. I found Stokys Brahms 1st with LSO early 70. Unbelievable !

[@markgibson6654]

@@jefolson6989 Agreed. I think that performance of Brahms 1st is awesome!

[@jaykauffman4775]

i wouldn't even know about Slatkin if it wasn't for your podcasts!! Thank you!!!!!

[@leestamm3187]

Though he's not on the radar as much as some other conductors, many of whom could take lessons from him, Slatkin has been around for a long time. His recordings (and concert performances if you are fortunate enough to attend one) rarely disappoint. David likes him almost as much as I do.

[@andy_pandy88]

Well now of course you need to do a list of conductors who almost NEVER made a good record 😂

[@johnpickford4222]

@bestdirector88: How ‘bout a list of conductors WHO NEVER MADE A RECORD?!?!

[@anariondanumenor9675]

I bet rattle and norrington. Maybe jassons?

[@iankemp1131]

@@johnpickford4222 Anyone before 100 years ago :) Would be fascinating to hear some of the classical and romantic composers conduct their own works, and there were some highly regarded conductors like Richter around 1900 (Wood and Mengelberg lasted into the recording era). Also some highly active conductors of radio orchestras gave lots of broadcasts but very few have been captured as recordings, Malcolm Sargent being a prime example.

[@paulbrower]

@@iankemp1131 Dave had a list of conductors actually recorded who lived into at least the 1950's who had conducted at least in the 1920's... and none of those conductrs lamented a loss from some "golden age of orchestral playing". Gustav Mahler excoriated the amateurish level of orchestral play in his time, and musicians hated him for that. Not until the 1930's did orchestral play get good. I heard Herbert von Karajan's first recording (1937 or so) with the Berlin Philharmonic, and it sounded good. Ensemble and tuning were finally up to modern standards. That was the point; that is much of sound quality when recorded. Mahler was ahead of his time as a conductor in his demands -- and that made him a pariah to may orchestral musicians.

[@pianomaly9]

@@paulbrower Somewhere I read that he said something along the lines of "I'm the nicest man in the world. I merely want orchestral musicians to do their job."

[@bigg2988]

Wonderful, personally - probably one of your most exciting talks of the year! Especially with the disclosure at the end! Me, by the time we pass Georg Szell: oh well, the list was too short for Charles Mackerras... we know Dave rates him way up there, but surely he is not leaving out Reiner, or Markevitch, or... BAM! I am so happy. Charles Mackerras is the still "unsung" (although by no means unplayed!) genius, and my experience with his music, though relatively small, has all been one of happy discovery. And btw, I can only applaud most of these choices (although, maybe, we could have gone to 15 for full satisfaction :)) - anyone taking notes would do the right thing picking themselves up without delay and investigating these conductors' discographies.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Got to leave a few plum choices for you folks to add, right?

[@lenlj]

Great list and a fun video. I would be tempted to add Sir Colin Davis for quality over a very long career. Also would add Pierre Monteux

[@BigE-Ian]

I loved this video David! Great fun and informative. Thanks as always.

[@cincinnatikidstuff]

thanks for including Bernstein'. people love to not give him the credit that he's due. his version of copland's third symphony is the best out there. I've heard a lot of different conductors tackle it, and bernstein's is unique. i can't explain why. he is able to get an orchestra to play it the way he hears it.

[@jamesdillon1110]

Some of you may have attended the "Wall to Wall Copland" day on the upper West side, I think in the early 1980's, For the first time I fully understood what a great conductor can do when, following an orchestral performance conducted by Copland himself, Bernstein took up the baton for the finale, some time after midnight, "Appalacian Spring." Wow, wow, wow. The contrast between performances led by the composer, himself an experienced maestro, and by the one-and-only Bernstein, who played the orchestra as if it were a violin under his chin, could not have been more dramatic. I learned more about conducting in that one hour than I have learned in many years of conducting vinyl records, CD's, and streaming stereo performances by the world's greatest orchestras!!!! Hahaha.

[@bikerpaul68]

My vague recollection of the British musical scene in the 60's and 70's is that Charles Groves could often be heard in the "standard repertoire" on BBC radio, sometimes as guest conductor of one of the BBC orchestras. Presumably these performances were not recorded for commercial reasons. There were several British conductors around then who performed a mixture of the "classics" with less well-known British music, such as James Loughran, Stanley Pope (both known for conducting the Havergal Brian symphonies), Norman Del Mar and John Carewe - and probably others whom I've forgotten.

[@DeronFuller]

Love this list. No arguments from me on the conductors I know and I'm super excited to get to know the ones I don't. I'm looking forward to getting acquainted with Silvestri, Vegh, and Fricsay. I'd love to hear your list of recording houses that delivered the most honest sounding recordings. Meaning light handed in the sound engineering department.

[@CortJohnson]

Thanks for the introduction to Ancerl! As a Toscanini lover I would include him. Yes he made a few duds but everything else is exciting and distinctive. He stands out to me 😎

[@bbailey7818]

I would agree except that so many if his finest performances are live and not studio recordings. Exceptions for me would be his 1952 Enigma Variations and the Brahms 2nd, both of which are greater than the live ones I know.

[@bennogartner1084]

Blomstedt‘s recordings are usually the highest standard - I just love him. Otherwise, your list is pretty complete, except for one, who’s missing: Günter Wand! I couldn’t even recall a single bad recording, not even a “dull” or not so good recording.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Yes, but too much of the same stuff over and over...

[@alanmcginn4796]

Dave. What an amazing talk. So many amazing musicians out there. I would add Ormandy, markevitch, Reiner, Munch, Muti, possibly kempe to this list. I have to go back. Did we NOT mention Klemperer???

[@josephfreedman9422]

I had the privilege of hearing/seeing Stokowski conduct in Carnegie Hall in the 1970's. He shuffled on to the stage, but once he started, he was physically energized. Not long afterward, he stopped conducting in public and continued to conduct in the studio. I admire his practice of presenting new composers.

[@Carlito_Sway]

As soon as I saw the thumbnail I said "Mackerras!"- and it was this channel's championing of his work that first led me to him!

[@LyleFrancisDelp]

Justy played Pineapple Poll last night....well....in the band transcription, but still....played it. What great fun!

[@joseluisherreralepron9987]

Ever since I picked up the Testament CD with the 1951 and 1959 recordings of "Le Sacre"--the latter being my favorite out of some 80 versions I've heard on disc--with Igor Markevitch I get excited when I see his name as conductor. Perhaps it's my limited listening tastes, but I've never heard anything less than fantastic work from him.

[@Taosravenfan]

This is one of your best videos.

[@josephromance3908]

Love your way of talking about Stokowski. I completely get your point. And for reasons I can't explain, I actually forgive him for monkeying around with the text. I say that because normally, I don't do that. But old Leopold gets the exception from me.

[@padraigoglasain8281]

I think you might be interested to know that when Leonard Slatkin comes to Dublin to conduct the National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland the musicians instantly respond to his shaping of the music and in the process produce a corporate sound that is highly distinctive and recognisably that of Leonard Slatkin himself.

[@violadamore2-bu2ch]

That speaks to the professionalism of the orchestra.

[@leestamm3187]

​​​@@violadamore2-bu2ch Agreed, although having seen Slatkin get admirable performances in concert with orchestras of variable tiers, I think it speaks also to his skills as a conductor.

[@scp240]

Your comment about Blomstedt led me to recall that I saw him conduct Bruckner with the Philadelphia Orchestra last season, and despite his evident frailty it was a beautiful performance indeed. I encourage any of Dave's viewers to witness live performances by the old guard if they have the chance, before they all go to conductor heaven. In recent years I witnessed live performances by Muti, Tilson Thomas, and William Christie (not on your list but all among the greats) with various orchestras and repertoire. I would love to see Mackerras or Slatkin given the opportunity. As for recordings, I am a huge fan of Bernstein and Szell and couldn't agree more with their inclusion on this list.

[@stephenfleschler9682]

Bernstein had both great and mediocre LP performances. Szell, not my style generally-mean guy, on the level of Rodzinski but the latter could conduct Spanish and French music better.

[@michaelotruba1308]

I’ve always loved Groves’ recording of RVW “Hugh the Drover.” Excellent soloists supported by Groves and the RPO, and a wonderful, organic, and warm recording. Another rarity recorded by Groves, as you have pointed out. I enjoy your commentaries, David

[@alexanderrostel2167]

Blomstedt just conducted Beethoven’s Eroica and Strauss’ Metamorphosen with the Berlin Philharmonics. He had to be carried on stage, but once he was there the magic began, defying his age and frail body.

[@petekohn]

He was here in Philadelphia in March with Emmanuel Ax. Bruckner 4 and Mozart piano cto 18. Minimal gestures but solid and even inspired. I think music is keeping him alive. He is a force of nature.

[@maestroclassico5801]

Does he have the actual record for oldest conductor to perform in concert? He's older than Leopold was. Right?

[@tommelody4159]

I think you’re right: Stokowski died aged 95 and last conducted a few months before his death. Blomstedt is now 96. Fun fact: according to Wikipedia, Blomstedt was born in Springfield, MA, and he and his parents moved (back)to Sweden when he was two.

[@maestroclassico5801]

@@tommelody4159 well Leopold was pretty much born, raised, and trained in the UK but became "Polish" around the time he came to America! 😄 No I love the idea of Herbert possibly having the record. And I love how many American born/trained musicians culturally appropriated other cultures ... usually because of ethnic-sounding names! But Herbert is pretty Scandinavian but I love that he was American born.

[@tommelody4159]

@@maestroclassico5801My favorite is the pianist Olga Samaroff, who was born Lucy Agnes Hickenlooper in Texas.

[@LyleFrancisDelp]

Even when he ventured into the period instrument mania, Mackerras made great recordings. I rather like his Schubert 9th...not due to the period instruments, but due to the obvious musicianship of Mackerras. He was a musician first, and never a pedantic academic. He took what sat in front of him and made great music.

[@neilford99]

The live Philharmonia recording is fantastic too.

[@LyleFrancisDelp]

@@neilford99 OK, I need to hear that one!!!

[@johnmarchington3146]

Well done, David. A terrific list. I was just sorry that Fritz Reiner and, perhaps, Antal Dorati couldn't have somehow been included as well.

[@john1951w]

Great list Dave. Yes, its subjective. Of course it is! Good to see Silvestri on the list. I loved watching him at Bournemouth. One I would personally add would be Kempe.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

I was thinking about him, but his German standard rep wasn't all that special.

[@john1951w]

@@DavesClassicalGuide Maybe I just have a soft spot for him that started years ago with his Brahms 2 (Bamberg) on World record Club when I was a kid. He sort of got a hold of me from then on.

[@msilverz]

I was first exposed to Szell's legacy via various Sony Essential Classics (and "Great Performances") releases in the 90s. Based on these, I would never have included him on such a list. Now that I've heard these very same performances (and many others) via the excellent transfers in the big Sony Szell box, I'm fully on board! --Matty

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

I don't think those previous releases sounded so bad. It wasn't the transfer, it was that you felt compelled to pay attention. Happens all the time!

[@joewebb1983]

Great video Dave. And I was waiting for number 3 🙂

[@michaelsimpson6958]

Your first rundown video that I didn’t look at the list deliberately. Much more fun, and suspenseful, that way! Wasn’t surprised at all your N°1 choice is Charles Mackerras because of the intense admiration of his work expressed since the beginning of your videos. The one surprise was Leonard Slatkin. The ho-hum attitude towards him early in his career - it's still quite active today in the opinions I see in classical music chat forums on the net, which is distressing. Thanks for your thumbs up! I’m still waiting for a digital release of his RCA Schubert 9th Symphony with St. Louis. It was one of his own favorites in your Classics Today Slatkin feature, although it didn’t make your list.

[@clementewerner]

I would like to put in a word for David Atherton and the London Sinfonietta. They were an essential part of my musical life in London in the 1970s where Atherton and the Sinfonietta explored mostly 20th century music, as most of his 65 or so discs are also of, and of rarely performed works, but performed to the highest standard.

[@claytonfarmer437]

“Decrepitude pass” 😂 This needs to enter the lexicon

[@jimbreakall9331]

I agree with many other comments that Eugene Ormandy clearly should have been on this list. With unquestioningly the greatest orchestra in the world (especially in the 1960s), there was never a bad performance from the Fabulous Philadelphians and that Philadelphia Sound that was Ormandy's and those virtuoso unmatched players in that orchestra.

[@MrMazzada]

Great list, with some names I did not even know. I would suggest George Solti, as he did both operas and symphonic at oustanding levels.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

I think Solti was better in opera than in symphonic music.

[@robertjanwestendorp3718]

Mahler - 2th, LSO, SOLTI one of the most beautiful especially the first part. Tchaikovsky - 6th, Chicago SO, SOLTI (number 1) is my favorite 6th. Moussorgsky/Ravel - Pictures at an exhibition SOLTI. Dvorak - 9th Chicago SO SOLTI my absolute favorite next to the Bernstein version. For me Solti belongs to the highest category in symphonic work absolutely! I think his personality which he of course integrates in his performances is not your kind of thing.

[@christopherlandor6056]

I knew that you would include Mackerras in this list!

[@thomastravisano5913]

This is an excellent and thought provoking list, featuring both a few big-name conductors and several others who are somewhat off the beaten path. Several commenters have suggested Eugen Jochum as an addition to the list, and I would be inclined to agree. I'd also suggest another favorite of mine, William Steinberg. I can't recall ever hearing a bad recording by him, and I've heard a lot, including many live recordings with both the Pittsburgh Symphony and Boston Symphony Orchestras. Steinberg's example brings up another class of conductors that I'd love to hear you explore: the great orchestra-builders. These are conductors who either built a great orchestra from scratch, or raised a lesser rknown ensemble to world prominence. Along with Steinberg, I'm thinking, among others, of Abravanel and Utah, Dutoit and Montreal, Slatkin and St. Louis, Paray and Detroit, Rattle and Birmingham, Marriner and the Academy. And there are many more. Szell and Cleveland are even an example. We think of Cleveland as one of the Big Five, but was it always so? Or did Szell push the Cleveland Orchestra into the spotlight, where it has stayed? Results following the orchestra-builder's departure have varied. But three questions I'd love to see you address are: 1) who were the great orchestra builders? 2) how did they accomplish it? and 3) what does it take to build a great orchestra and keep it strong?

[@hesamforozan8964]

Thank you for citing Bernstein and Szell too! The only ones I know here! Good to check out others too! I always thought of Celibidache as one too as a shallow listener

[@RobertJonesWightpaint]

Of all these - I would add more, but then so would you and so would anyone - I'm very happy that you included Charles Groves. Groves was not a man to turn somersaults on the podium, but his results were so consistently good that I could listen to him conducting Danny Boy.... and Mackerras too (I probably can't spell his name, mind); a surprising conductor; he could just creep up on you and amaze you in his performances. Keep going with these broadcasts (please!) they're unfailingly interesting.

[@compositortiagoprado]

I don't know as much about discography as you do, so something may go unnoticed, but I've never heard a bad recording made by Eugen Jochum. Even when I prefer other versions, the recordings he made are always of a high level.

[@cobymela]

Great topic. Really agree with Szell and Bernstein. Would like to add Günter Wand as well to the lot. Have to admit I have not heard all of his recordings , but for over the dozen I heard are all solid and even reference like recordings. Now, on to look for the ones I’m not familiar in this list, thanks!

[@ER1CwC]

Regarding what Dave said about Stokowski (and I think he has said similar things regarding Sinopoli too), is there a reason why conductors don't care more about how their recordings actually sound like? It seems so counterintuitive, especially since many tend to be micromanagers regarding how their orchestras sound live. Is it because they do not understand recording engineering mechanics? Is it because they don't want to "cater" to the microphone?

[@lawrencerinkel3243]

There's also a DVD from Mackerras of Meistersinger with the Australian Opera. Both performance and production are excellent, among the best I've seen on video; too bad that the DVD itself was so poorly mastered, with compressed sound and low-resolution video. If they were to clean that up it would be one of the best available.

[@stradivariouspaul1232]

Really interesting list, one I would argue for would be Riccardo Muti, he didn't try to over extend into every genre but I would argue was highly dependable and fantastic at bringing the music alive and has many standout recordings

[@johnandrewwindham6084]

I remember a review by one James Goodfriend of the Messiah recording with the English Chamber Orchestra where the reviewer suggested Mackerass would be a good choice to follow Bernstein. Interesting to contemplate.

[@AlexMadorsky]

What a marvelous list! I am very ignorant of Groves and need to fix that post haste. Rozhedestvensky and Konsrashin might have the occasional stinker, but both worth consideration if we want to think about Russkies. Very pleasantly surprised to see Stoki on here, as much as a recording and repertoire pioneer per your statement as a maestro. I’ve never bought into the traditionalist naysaying against Stokowski’s oeuvre.

[@ce2167-n1t]

Hello Mr. Hurwitz, I appreciate your list. However, I was a bit surprised that Markevitch was not included after hearing your reviews. Would it be possible to create a list of conductors whose new recordings you find most intriguing? Thank you.

[@TheVaughan5]

Of course any list has to be subjective, however overall your list makes perfect sense to me. I would like to have seen Kertesz and the somewhat underrated Marriner but when you’re limited to 12 some excellent conductors have to be left out.

[@rolandonavarro3170]

and Guido Cantelli, who as Kertesz died early

[@legatofancier]

Very good selection!

[@alipitogen]

Particularly agree about Ancerl and Fricsay, and no real quibbles with the rest. One I'm investigating at the moment who I would pitch in as a 'dark horse' is William Steinberg. He worked mostly, from the 1950s, with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra , which on the evidence of the recordings had a 'Rolls Royce' of a string section at the time. His best performances are driven, nuanced and often seemingly electrically charged, while his collaboration with violinist Nathan Milstein in the big concerto repertoire should be legendary, especially their almost peerless Beethoven Violin Concerto recording.

[@grahamcombs4752]

I recall Leonard Bernstein's children's concert series as a boy. It is available on KZbin. I've subscribed to it.

[@johnd1442]

Love the list, especially with Fricsay and Mackerras. So sad that Fricsay died aged just 48 but what a glorious recorded legacy he left. As Yehudi Menuhin once remarked, had he lived he might well have challenged Karajan's supremacy. There is a superb DVD of his rehearsing and performing Die Moldau with the Sudfunk Orchestra in Stuttgart. He was clearly very ill but the musicianship, the love and the detail he obtains from the musicians is quite extraordinary.

[@bobmcgowan7460]

Dave, speaking of conductors: When I first started listening to and buying records I bought a lot of cheapy Nonesuch recordings featuring Karl Ristenpart and the Saar Chamber Orchestra. However, today I think the memory of the man and his legacy, if indeed he had one have vanished. He isn't even listed on the conductors section of Classics Today. I don't think I ever heard you mention his name so what can you tell me ? Is/was he deserving of some recognition ?

[@GarthAstrology]

I love all of your choices, and I'm especially grateful to see Karel Ancerl and Constantin Silvestri included. Both have a highly individualistic and penetrating approach to the music that I really appreciate. I would like to add two gentlemen from the mono era as well: Pierre Monteux and Dimitri Mitropoulos. In addition to the symphonic medium, both conductors also excelled in the field of opera. This is an area where Bernstein does not excel, in my opinion.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Yes, but Mitropoulos made quite a few bad records--so for that matter did Monteux.

[@howard5259]

This is your list, Dave, and though there are a few conductors I might have listed (eg Monteux, Reiner) I would not question any of your choices. However, I do want to say that I believe that Leonard Slatkin is very highly regarded in England. I cannot speak for the rest of Europe, of course, but I believe his inclusion in your list is well deserved.

[@mehmeh217]

Great choices! Serious question though: what bad record did Fritz Reiner make? I haven’t found one yet!

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

His Vienna Phil Strauss/Brahms/Dvorak on Decca is a dud (surprisingly).

[@rolandonavarro3170]

He must be un the list

[@tassosbenetatos3687]

I have to add Hans Rosbaud as a personal choice. I haven't heard everything yet that has been released in his name, and I guess a lot of his legacy is in radio broadcasts with so-so sound but there is nothing I have heard yet that does not sound to me like what the music should be, be it Haydn, Bruckner, or Debussy.

[@rolandonavarro3170]

and van Beinum

[@TienTran-nm6ms]

There's a conductor on this list that I'm prejudiced against, and I appreciate Dave's admonition to listen (with my ears, past my prejudice). A very helpful critic, this fellow!

[@larrywallach2706]

Thanks for including Stokowski. He did not suffer from decriptude in his old age; I have a set of late recordings from Columbia with the National Philharmonic (English outfit, pickup?) and the Philadelphia. It includes stunning recordings of Brahms Symphony no. 2 and Sibelius Symphony no. 1. They sound like the work of a youthful conductor full of beans who has a mature grasp of texture and structure. There is no "wallowing" (as there is, for example, in a Debussy CD that includes a "Prelude a l'apres-midi…" with flute soloist Julius Baker, admittedly a gorgeous wallow, sort of the anti-Boulez.

[@2leftfield]

The National Philharmonic was originally put together by Charles Gerhardt to record projects he was producing in the late 1960's--including the Classic Film Scores series that Gerhardt himself conducted. It was all top London players of the time, basically a very classy recording orchestra.

[@larrywallach2706]

Were those the 4-track London recordings, including Hollywood film scores?@@2leftfield

[@caleblaw3497]

My favorite conductor is Carl Schuricht and I haven't listened to a bad recording by Schuricht yet

[@robertjanwestendorp3718]

indeed I forgot him too

[@markhomer8567]

After viewing your glowing review of Eugene Ormandy's 120-CD box, in which you described his long-term high level of conducting polished performances, I am surprised that you left him off your list of best Sibelius Second Symphonies (a specialty of his), and this list of conductors who almost never made a bad recording.

[@anariondanumenor9675]

Wow, quick response! Thx dave

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

My pleasure. Thanks for the great suggestion.

[@gregralph5168]

Mackerras also gave us an orchestration of his greatgreatgreatgrandfather Isaac Nathan’s opera Don John of Austria; the first opera composed in Australia. Plot kind of the reverse of La Juive :)

[@mgconlan]

I waited until I watched the video before I commented. Right now I'm listening to the stunning recording of Nielsen's Fifth Symphony conducted by Jascha Horenstein - a conductor you love to hate - which I first bought years ago and which struck me as a start-to-finish energy rush. Later I got a CD of the Nielsen Fifth and Sixth conducted by Herbert Blomstedt, and it was so dull I had a hard time believing it was the same piece of music. I loved the fact that you went ahead and listed Stokowski and Bernstein, even though there are some awful entries in the Bernstein discography (like his lamentable recordings of Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue" and "An American in Paris" with the New York Philharmonic in 1959), and I've noticed you cut a lot of slack for long-lived conductors who got slow and boring in their old age. And if I were to make a list of conductors who (almost) never made a bad record, certainly Arturo Toscanini would be on it.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

The Horenstein Nielsen 5 has a great first movement and a horrible finale.

[@st.lukechamberorchestra5074]

Thanks again Dave! But, What no Bruno Walter? Speaking of Charles Groves, Dr. Walter is another conductor whose band seems to really enjoy playing under him. One can feel it, and that is what first attracted me to his performances. I sense an underlying joy to everything he released (except that truly unlistenable Mozart Requiem he did with the NY Philharmonic - not all his fault, the Westminster College Choir was just not up to it). Great list though - now that we have KZbin I realize Bernstein's performances need to be watched to be fully appreciated, not simply listened to. His live Mozart Requiem performance is terrific on CD, but transcendent when watched. His force of will was flabbergasting.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

I have no problem just listening.

[@emerysmasheypianist]

Admittedly a little on the fringe, I am curious how close (or far) you would place Gardiner from this list. My impressions of his work have always left me feeling fresh (although I’m a better judge of keyboard and choral works than symphonic genres)

[@bbailey7818]

Based on the same criteria you used for Stokowski, care about how the record would sound, taking pains to achieve what he wanted, even when what he wanted could be considered idiosyncratic and sometimes eccentric, I would include Thomas Beecham. He had no use for HIP practice, even to the extent it was beginning to evolve in his lifetime, but the elegance, the balance, the unique finish of his Haydn and Mozart; his espousal of composers and works which were neglected or badly performed by other conductors (Delius, Sibelius, Balakirev, early Schubert symphonies and many others) and getting them on record. He also had to contend for much of his career with recording in four minute chunks, but he had the ability to pick up a recording project a year and a half later and take exactly the same tempo and expression as he had earlier. We may look askance at his brand of Handel or Handel-- Beecham but they are still good records as records and quite unique. Sui generis. Nor can I think of a single disc of his that ever sank to the depths of bad taste that Stokie was capable of. Yet none I can think of is boring. I completely agree with your however choice of Mackerras. He also did a Verdi ballet which is nearly as good and ingenious as Pineapple Poll, The Lady and the Fool.

[@deVriesOP125]

Do you have a new camera? It looks very sharp and warmer now!

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Same as always. Maybe the cats brushed up against it and cleaned the lens!

[@RichardGreen422]

The stereotyping of Bernstein and Szell you rightly complain about must reflect people who haven't listened to their records. Berstein's Mozart is among the best I know, which belies the ideas that he emoted too much. Szell's Dvorak Symphonies were wonderfully warm. When I worked at my college radio station, my fellow students were agog over Giulini's Dvorak 7. When I said I preferred Szell's they all told me it was too cold. So I put the Szell on the turntable. My friends' minds changed. p.s. Pineapple Poll has long been among my favorite records.

[@FCarraro1]

At 15:52 I was watching the chapter selection on the timeline bar and I was wondering "who the hell is this Sean Dorvague? Never heard of him". 😂

[@brucemiller5356]

thanks for the inclusion of slatkin. i was so lucky to hear him for ten years or so, before the powers that be decided it was time for him to go.

[@daviddavenport9350]

re: Bernstein....one of my great teachers, (Gerry Carlyss of the Philadelphia Orch) once confided that although people remember Lenny for his dancing on the podium at times, he had a very very developed sense of rhythm....and if you needed a clear, rhythmic beat, Bernstein knew when to deliver it!

[@brianburtt7053]

Slatkin: Not about recordings, so a little off topic, but one important part of his legacy is going to be shepherding the Detroit Symphony through the decade during which the city declared bankruptcy and the future of a lot of institutions was in serious doubt. And leaving it as good, maybe better, than he found it. (I managed to catch his last year or so as music director.) Back to recordings: I hope that Sony puts together a Gesamtkunstbox of his work on that label. And a question: Is there any future for things that were on Telarc? Does Dave or anybody know?

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

I've been pushing for years, but I don't see any hope (unless possibly a license of some kind to a third party).

[@maestroclassico5801]

Narrowing this list mustve been hard. I am intrigued by who DIDNT make the list! I consider most of Szell's recordings pretty benchmark...though critically it was said his Debussy/Ravel album may have been, as you said, COLD. But he admitted himself that they werent his normal repertoire. Always interesting to hear your lists!

[@wappingbpy]

I got to Szell and thought "I can't believe Dave's missed out Charles Mackerras..." Nice one, Dave. I suspect Talich may have been one who just missed out?

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

No, actually. Talich was very good, but I don't hear much from him that I find thrilling.

[@janouglaeser8049]

David, would Günter Wand qualify for the title in your opinion?

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

No.