Review: Koussevitsky's Lackluster Bartók and Mussorgsky/Ravel

[@thomasvendetti3742]

Unfortunately many live Koussevitzky live cds are derived from the Art of Koussevitzky radio series of the ‘60s and AFRS transcriptions. Back in the day, I heard many pristine transcriptions in the collection of the old Koussevitzky Recording Assn. in good sound. None of the recordings of this era will be suitable for today’s audiophiles. Nevertheless, the BSO of the Koussevitzky era recorded some beautiful commercial and live performances that capture individuality that so many of today’s offerings lack. In any event, it is interesting to hear Koussevitzky perform Harris, Piston, Schuman, Barber, Copeland, Bernstein, Cowell, and Fine among others. Today’s listeners must enter at their own risk, but they may be surprised to discover some unexpected treasurers.

[@bbailey7818]

I once had the chance to ask David Diamond about Koussevitzky's performance of his 2nd symphony. He definitely preferred Schwarz and Seattle. And there's no issue about sonics because Diamond heard the Koussevitzky live in the hall.

[@stephenkeen2404]

This is one where I find it hard to separate the performer from the piece. The only Koussevitzky recording I've ever heard was Sibelius 2nd with Boston. It was on Odyssey (Columbia's ultra cheap label) and my college roommate bought it. The sonics were terrible, but I fell in love with the symphony. When the strings were chugga, chugga-ing (as you put it) in the finale, it sounded like the view out my window in Evanston: wind sweeping across the snow. The strings seemed in perfect unison, swelling and subsiding like the wind. So far as I could tell, Koussevitzky had the orchestra well in hand. Now, of course, I listen to Davis conduct Boston for Sibelius (or Ormandy or Bernstein with their respective orchestras).

[@jerrygennaro7587]

Yep, you’re right. The North Boston Symphony discography from 2008 shows only Koussevitzky’s 1930 commercial RCA recording of Pictures. Doubt that there has been anything more recent. Odd.

[@eddiegreschak9995]

On a different subject, Dave what's your view on AI. Do you think it will integrate into classical music? I'm curious to know what the effects would be.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

I have no idea.

[@daigreatcoat44]

I agree about this CD. I was delighted to find it, but not to hear it. The recording backs up your comments on the value (perceived or real) of historic recordings: it's not much fun. By the way, what do you think of Georgy Sandor's recording of the piano version of the Bartok piece?

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

I don't.

[@allthisuselessbeauty-kr7]

Oh yes, my disappointment was palpable when I got this and listened.

[@LyleFrancisDelp]

OK....I'm gonna bring up the elephant in the room...at least for me. Though I respect Koussevitzky's reputation as a conductor, I must confess there isn't a single recording available that compels me to listen more than once. Generally, I find his readings rather mundane.

[@bbailey7818]

Personally, I return frequently to his unique La Mer. I personally love his Sibelius 5th and Pohjolas Daughter. But not the 2nd.

[@bendingcaesar65]

Did Koussevitsky make any "good" recordings? I don't believe I've ever read a positive review of him.

[@clarkebustard8672]

The Koussevitzky-Boston Tchaikovsky Fifth Symphony from Nov. 22, 1944, an RCA recording, is very good, allowing for mid-'40s sonics. It was reissued on CD by the BSO, with three so-so to forgettable fillers: Berlioz's "Roman Carnival" Overture, Debussy's "Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun" and a sludgy Corelli arrangement. Don't know whether the disc is still in print. Nicolas Slonimsky, in his memoir "Perfect Pitch," dunks pretty hard on Koussevitzky as a conductor.

[@OuterGalaxyLounge]

@@clarkebustard8672 You beat me to it. The Tchaik 5th is great.

[@ernestrobles1510]

I enjoyed his Beethoven 6. Also a disc with the Schumann 1st and Schubert 8. These I originally heard on 78’s, so I’ve developed a tolerance for the sound

[@allthisuselessbeauty-kr7]

I dimly remember hearing a Prokofiev 5 of his(wasn't that a Boston commission?), which was interesting...unless my memory fails (very possible😊)