Istvam Kertesz

This recording provides a prime example of why the late Istvan Kertesz has been one of those conductors whose interpretations of works by Brahms and Dvorak have consistently given me great pleasure. At various places in these serenades, he displays an extroverted, outdoorsy quality that allows melodies to soar. In addition, while listening recently to Sir Charles Mackerras' versions of these scores, where that conductor uses a down-sized orchestra, I found myself preferring Kertesz's suppleness and color, the latter enhanced obviously by the use of a somewhat larger orchestra.

This recording provides a prime example of why the late Istvan Kertesz has been one of those conductors whose interpretations of works by Brahms and Dvorak have consistently given me great pleasure. At various places in these serenades, he displays an extroverted, outdoorsy quality that allows melodies to soar. In addition, while listening recently to Sir Charles Mackerras' versions of these scores, where that conductor uses a down-sized orchestra, I found myself preferring Kertesz's suppleness and color, the latter enhanced obviously by the use of a somewhat larger orchestra.

Johannes Brahms: Symphonies No. 2 in D major, Op. 73, No. 3 in F major Op. 90, No. 4 in E minor Op. 98, Serenade No. 2 in D major, Op. 73
Wiener Philharmoniker, London Symphony Orchestra (Op. 73); István Kertėsz conductor
Classical | 2 CD | EAC Rip | 687 Mb | FLAC+LOG+M3u | No Cue | No scans | 8 RS links
Publisher: Decca

Editorial Reviews - Amazon.com
This was Istvan Kertesz' last major project. Early in the 1960s, he had conducted the Dvorřak symphonies with such authority that he recorded the complete cycle for London–an epoch-making set that's still highly recommended today. For those recordings Kertesz had the London Symphony Orchestra, but his best recordings were made in Vienna. His notorious dislike of rehearsals was bound to appeal to the equally relaxed and tradition-conscious Viennese, particularly when it came to music they knew well. The result is a real musical love-in, with the orchestra the star of the show and the performance some of the best Brahms that money can buy. –David Hurwitz

Istvan Kertesz (1929-1973) was born into a Hungarian-Jewish, and he grew up taking violin lessons at a time “when terrible things were happening in Europe.” By the time Istvan was twelve, he had been mastering the piano as well. But Hungarian Jews were persecuted relentlessly, and many of his extended family members were sent to Auschwitz to be murdered. After the war, he resumed his studies in what is now the Franz Liszt Academy of Music, taking composition lessons with Kodaly and Leo Weiner. An interest in conducting led to studies with Laszlo Samogyi and Janos Ferencsik.

“An absolute must for children young and old (Háry János)”– Grammophone
“The Psalmus Hungaricus receives a bright and forceful performance under Kertész, dramatically sung by tenor Lajos Kozma.”– Gramophone Classical Good CD Guide
"Committed and idiomatic performances recorded in three-dimensional sound. The highlights from the collection are the Suite, the sets of orchestral dances and the Peacock Variations – one of the finest sets ever written; but there is interest too in the rarer Concerto for Orchestra – earlier than Bartók’s and equally nationalistic – and the three-movement Symphony of 1961. – George Hall, BBC Music Magazine
"It’s marvellous to have Kertész’s brilliantly idiomatic performances of Kodály’s best-known works. Peter Ustinov’s narration of Háry János threads the whole together." – Jan Smaczny, BBC Music Magazine
"In Dorati's hands the passionate Andante [from the Symphony] is strong in gypsy feeling and the jolly, folk-dance finale is colourful and full of vitality." – Penguin Guide

I do not want to start too many hares running, but I suggest that if a newcomer to opera listened to La Traviata and then Il Trovatore, one after another, he or she would quickly identify the composer as one, no matter the different moods and key register. If the same listener did the same with Die Zauberflöte and La Clemenza di Tito I doubt that the listener would identify the works as being by the same composer.