Dame Myra Hess & Arturo Toscanini: Beethoven Piano Concerto No.3 (pitch-corrected)

Pitch-corrected from previous upload:
A November 24, 1946 concert broadcast performance of Beethoven's Piano Concerto No.3 featuring Dame Myra Hess as soloist with Arturo Toscanini conducting the NBC Symphony Orchestra.
Hess had originally been engaged to play Beethoven's Emperor Concerto but found the conductor's tempi at the first rehearsal two days before the concert were so quick that she discreetly suggested that they play the C Minor Concerto instead ("everyone plays the Emperor...", she told him). Despite the program having already been announced, he agreed - and while his tempi are brisk here too, it was much more manageable for the soloist.
At the second rehearsal, Toscanini - conducting from memory - brought the orchestra in four measures too early after the piano's solo introduction in the slow movement. Hess wasn't sure how to broach the subject with the fiery maestro but was her usual charming self. The melody played by the piano in two of the measures accidentally cut by Toscanini is very similar to a song sung by the title character in Gounod's 'Faust', so she asked the conductor in a sweet tone of voice, 'Maestro, when we play tomorrow night you will let me sing my 'Salve! Dimora caste e pura, won't you?' The conductor looked stunned and then burst out laughing ... but then went into a nervous state as he realized his error and how he did not meet his own standards ("I say terrible things about other conductors but I cannot conduct myself!").
During the concert itself, Toscanini adopted Hess's tempo for this movement, slower than the one in his performance 2 years earlier with Arthur Rubinstein - a true sign of the esteem in which he held Dame Hess.
The performance is indeed a marvellous one, with the propulsion we expect from Toscanini but also the unique combination of warmth and power that Hess brought to her interpretations. The scope of her dynamic range and luminosity of her tone are appreciable despite the acoustic limitations of the infamous Studio 8H where the concert took place, and her rhythmic vitality and attentive phrasing are magnificent.
A truly historic collaboration!
The commercial CD of this performance was pitched a semi-tone sharp; this recording has been pitch-adjusted for this upload.
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[@user-sk4kd7ob2b]

Это просто потрясающе,что через 77лет, мы можем услышать эту

[@admusicam3323]

Many thanks for the pitch correction. What was harsh sound unmusical is now drammatic, with this typical full blood of Toscanini war périod concerts ! Also the Hess Piano sound is more warm and poetical.

[@marichristian1072]

Dame Myra brought light to London in the middle of the Blitz.

[@ankiesmit-fris8951]

Yes .......!!!!! Especially also the slow movement by Dame Hess and the vibrant ("tamed") Toscanini...what a joy

[@johnspradling7906]

I came to know this performance years before I knew of the Rubinstein performance on 78's. Myra Hess and Toscanini were the Beethoven III I was used to, and when I heard the Rubinstein, I was quite disappointed.

[@user-sk4kd7ob2b]

Благодарю!

[@arthurkrieck1]

This was one of the great experiences of Dame Myra’s life. She treasured the baton Todcanini gave her, for the rest of her life.

[@berlinzerberus]

❤️❤️❤️

[@antoninomarullo8468]

Una esecuzione straordinaria con Toscanini grande Direttore e Hess in sintonia con l'animosità del Maestro. Il risultato è eccellente nel rendere una visione del Concerto di stampo preromantico. L'equilibrio tra l'Orchestra e la Hess è eccellente e fornisce una alternativa all'esecuzione, più tecnica ed elegante, con Rubinstein nel 1944. La Hess nel secondo movimento è all'altezza della situazione e Toscanini asseconda la bellezza dell'atmosfera di questo brano che è la più autentica concezione surreale di Beethoven che continuerà questa logica fino ai Quartetti.

[@dorfmanjones]

Great stuff.

[@christopherczajasager9030]

With Schnabel, a profound 2nd movemeht of great distinction....

[@christopherczajasager9030]

Magical revelations in the cadenza of the 1st movement...

[@TJFNYC212]

My least favorite of the Beethoven with exception for the 2nd movement which is divine. Myra Hess interpretation is fabulous. Her playing of the cadenza in the 1st movement is quite powerful.

[@christopherczajasager9030]

Quite a driven alle breve movement one......Hess having a difficult " task".....

[@_PROCLUS]

7:07

[@RModillo]

Dame Myra-- not "Dame Hess". Knightly titles always go with the first (Christian) name. As with "Don" in Italian.

[@Nai61a]

I don't suppose Toscanini was very pleased with himself for bringing the orchestra in too early at 27.27.

[@delroyroberts9244]

Intro? Troppo allegro.

[@silversmith1285]

I TE MPI NON SONO BEETHOVENIANI.. SONO PIU VICINI A UNO STILE OPERISTICO ITALIANO..TIPO ROSSINI..!!

[@berndbrackman4443]

Rushed, and quite uninterested, Toscanini. Not very musical.