Pierre Monteux Brahms Esoteric

Pierre Monteux/LSO - Sibelius: Symphony No.2 in D, Op.43
Vinyl Rip in 24-Bit/96-kHz | FLAC tracks | Full Scan Covers | MU, RS | 841 MB 3% recovery
1959 | Genre: Classical | Label: RCA Red Seal Shaded Dog | LSC-2342 | US pressing, reissue by Classic Records
Listed in TAS (The Absolute Sound) issue #98

Monteux draws a brisk and clean performance from the orchestra. The rich and melodic symphony is presented with vitality. Sound is a plus factor, and an interesting portrait of the composer lends excellent display values. There are other versions, but this can compete strongly

(The Billboard, Sept. 14, 1959)

Pierre Monteux was remembered by Sir Georg Solti in his memoirs as "one of most brilliant conductors of the first half of the twentieth century"
• Assembled together, for the first time, Pierre Monteux’s complete recordings for Decca,Philips, Westminster and Decca/RCA.
• Including bonus disc of rehearsal material never before released, from producer Christopher Raeburn’s archives (courtesy of the British Library) – including
Daphnis et Chlo? and Beethoven Symphonies Nos. 3& 9.
• Includes the first international CD release of a Ravel disc conducted by Claude Monteux – Pierre’s son.

Pierre Monteux was remembered by Sir Georg Solti in his memoirs as "one of most brilliant conductors of the first half of the twentieth century"
• Assembled together, for the first time, Pierre Monteux’s complete recordings for Decca,Philips, Westminster and Decca/RCA.
• Including bonus disc of rehearsal material never before released, from producer Christopher Raeburn’s archives (courtesy of the British Library) – including
Daphnis et Chlo? and Beethoven Symphonies Nos. 3& 9.
• Includes the first international CD release of a Ravel disc conducted by Claude Monteux – Pierre’s son.

Pierre Monteux was 86 when the first of these recording sessions took place and would die in 1964, when he recorded the Bolero here–no doubt the oldest conductor to do so. You can detect a bit of slackening in the later performances, but the Ma Mere l'Oye ballet is also form 1964 and sounds lovely. Don't expect flash and virtuosity, although the LSO certainly plays well. Approach this CD as a memento of one of the century's premiere musicians.