Max Reger Cello

When Pablo Casals rediscovered the cello suites of Bach at the beginning of the 20th century, the novel thing about it was that he played them "senza basso", i.e. without piano accompaniment. In a time of music-historical over-maturity and experimentation, renowned composers soon came up with their own attempts, among them most famously Max Reger's "Solo Suites" and Kodály's "Solo Sonata", both written in 1915.

RCO - Anthology of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Volume 4, 1970-1980 (2006) {14CD Box Set, RCO 06004} (Complete Artwork)
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© 1970-80, 2006 Radio Netherlands Music / RCO LIve | RCO 06004
Classical / Orchestral

Naturally, this 14-disc set of live recordings of the Concertgebouw Orchestra from 1970 through 1980 is only for the hardest of hardcore collectors. Who else would be interested in a collection that mixes Beethoven with Boulez, Baird and Berio, Tchaikovsky with Lutoslawski, Ginastera and Caplet, Rachmaninov with Reger, and Martin and Walton? But for the hardest of the hardcore, this set will be filled with delights. Where else could one find Karel Ancerl's suave account of Haydn's "Oxford" Symphony, Eugen Jochum's sweet account of Reger's Serenade in G major, Kiril Kondrashin's thrilling account of Sibelius' En Saga, Elly Ameling's seductive account of Berg's Der Wein, or Paul Badura-Skoda's evocative account of Martin's Second Piano Concerto?

RCO - Anthology of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Vol 1, 1935-1950 (2002) {13CD Box Set Q Disc 97017, Limited Edition}
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© 1935-50, 2002 Radio Netherlands Music / Q Disc | 97017
Classical / Orchestral / Symphony / Romantic / Early 20th Century

Böhm was reported to have told the Wiener Philharmoniker towards the end of his life "I loved you as one can only love a woman". Listening to this boxset, capturing the Concertgebouworkest at the peak of its powers (between 1935 and June 1941), still at a commendable level (between July 1941 and 1944) before having to rebuild from the ashes of war (1945 to 1947) to finally come back to the highest level (1949-1950), the careful auditor has history in the making unfolding with its drama, its joys, but essentially its incommensurable beauty.

Emanuel Feuermann - The Emanuel Feuermann Edition (2016) {Heritage Digital Download}
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© 2016 Heritage Records | HTGCD401 – 5060332660438
Classical / Cello / Chamber Music / Historical Works / Orchestral Music

The Complete English Columbia Recordings & Early German Parlophone Recordings. The first Heritage release to re-issue material from the Pearl catalogue. This 4 CD set brings together the complete English Columbia recordings and rare, early German Parlophone recordings of Emanuel Feuermann. Feuermann is the cellist’s cellist par excellence, and many would claim him as the greatest of the century. He did not however, in his lifetime, make the headway he deserved, partly because he died at such an early age and partly because he was forever overshadowed by the colossal figure of Pablo Caslas. This edition includes extensive biographical and discographical notes – an illuminating package which provides an invaluable overview of one of the most talented string players ever to have graced the stage.

Eduard van Beinum - Concertgebouw Orchestra - Live - The Radio Recordings (2000) {11CD Box Set Q Disc 97015 rec 1935-1958}
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© 2000 Q Disc | 97015
Classical / Orchestral

Finally Dutch conductor Eduard van Beinum is receiving attention he so richly deserves with many of his superb performances appearing on CD. Philips has issued most of his commercial recordings for that label, available mostly in Holland. Dutton Laboratories, LYS and Japanese Decca also have issued a number of recordings (with many yet unissued—see our Features article on Van Beinum). Now we have this set of live concert performances dating from 1935 through 1958. The earliest are from 78 rpm acetates some of which were not in very good condition. Some, not all, have surface disturbances even the most precise digital processing cannot eliminate. However, for the collector this is relatively insignificant considering these remarkable performances.

Of the current CD, I can enthuse completely. In the Violin Concerto, Gidon Kremer plays with a rhapsodic flair that almost reminds me of Heifetz. I do not know whose cadenza he uses in the first movement; it is new to me. In the slow movement, Bernstein and Kremer weave textures that are beautiful without ever seeming solemn. The last movement is slightly faster than I am used to hearing, but if this does make for some awkward phrasing it is still very exciting. The Double Concerto receives the best performance I ever have heard.

Never aging and always giving peace and pleasure … A magical combination of notes, Great sorcerers … Here is the music that sounds in this release, presented to us by Madacy Special Mkts, giving you the opportunity to once again join with a beautiful, in a kind of selection, seemed to have long been familiar to all of us, works …