Tag: George Szell

Title: George Szell and The Cleveland Orchestra – Live In Tokyo (1970) [Japanese Reissue 2000]
Genre: Classical
Format: SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

This 1970 concert, recorded live in Tokyo by NHK radio engineers, is the stuff of which legends are made. Already fatally ill with the cancer that would kill him two months later, George Szell led the orchestra he had nurtured since 1946 on a triumphant tour of the Far East, sharing the podium with Pierre Boulez, husbanding his strength, refusing to give in to increasing frailty and exhaustion. On the evening of May 22, he directed the program recorded here, and it remains arguably the single-most astonishingly perfect live performance ever captured by the microphones. This is all music that Szell conducted in the studio, and superbly well too. What, you already own those recordings? Never mind. The Oberon Overture has not been available in anything other than the Japanese Sony Szell Edition (in which this concert also features prominently), so its presence here is doubly welcome. The Mozart G minor Symphony should erase any notion of this conductor’s lack of flexibility. Yes, he was a severe disciplinarian, but his reputation tends to cloud people’s judgment (and clog their ears) when listening to the actual performances. This rendition thrives on subtle variations of pulse; Szell’s always-fresh way of introducing the upbeats to the principal theme whenever it returns offers one example, just as the unparalleled elegance (and yes, even playfulness) of phrasing throughout the slow movement provides another. Szell recorded a stellar Sibelius Second with the Concertgebouw for Philips, recently reissued in magnificently remastered sound. It has long been a version of reference for the work. This performance resembles the earlier one, interpretively speaking, but even the excellence of the Dutch orchestra cannot approach the ferocious virtuosity on display here. Start with the extraordinary energy and finely layered sonorities of the first movement’s central development section, and move on from there to the dazzling sectional interplay that ignites the second movement’s agitated climaxes (another classic example of Szell flexibly and fearlessly exploiting a huge range of tempo). By the time you reach the sizzling yet lighter-than-air strings in the scherzo (like Mravinsky/Leningrad at their peak, only with more colorful articulation), it should be clear that this performance sets a standard that remains unmatched to this day, technically and interpretively. Listen to the way Szell constructs the transition to the finale, and to its ideal mixture of Romantic expansiveness and structural solidity. The final climax rises out of the depths of the orchestra like a force of nature, a massive physical presence, and an incomparable musical experience. Berlioz’s Rákóczy March, the brilliantly played encore, is merely the icing on the cake.

hraudio | discogs

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Title: George Szell and Cleveland Orchestra – Grieg – Bizet – Mussorgsky (2001)
Genre: Classical
Format: SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

Sony Masterworks’ new “Expanded Edition” offers well-known recordings newly remastered using DSD technology, along with “bonus” material extending the playing time of the original LP (not the previous CD edition, if any), all at a very attractive price. The question for most collectors is a simple one: does it sound better? The answer, without reservation, is “Yes”–at least for this present issue, which offers Szell’s magnificent Pictures at an Exhibition, already well known from its Essential Classics incarnation…although Russian music was not an area in which Szell made his reputation, both he and the Cleveland Orchestra are on top form throughout. Sonically the performances feature a more open top, enhanced clarity, and richer bass than any previous edition, making this a truly first class experience on all counts.

hraudio | discogs

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Title: The Cleveland Orchestra, George Szell – Schubert: Symphony No. 9 (1970-2019/2019)
Genre: Classical
Format: MCH SACD ISO

The final recordings of George Szell and the Cleveland Orchestra, “The Greats,” newly hybridized to SACD from the original domestic analog master tapes. Newly remastered. Featuring new liner notes. George Szell (1897-1970), who passed away in July 1970 shortly after his first visit to Japan for the Osaka Expo, recorded this “Great” performance—truly his swan song—alongside Dvořák’s Symphony No. 8 and others for the old EMI label in April of that same year. It has now been revived on the latest SACD. Released as a commemorative LP that same year, this performance has long been cherished as a definitive recording evoking his former glory. Note: This is released as a commercially available SACD single-layer disc. For this reissue, a master digitally converted at 96kHz/24bit from the original UK master tapes was used, with separate new mastering for the SACD layer and CD layer. Features new liner notes. A permanent collection edition. The legendary recording by the Cleveland Orchestra arrives on SACD hybrid disc. While commercially available as a SACD single-layer disc, this marks its first release as an SACD hybrid disc. The previous stereo recording from 1957 also featured a solid structure and intricate dynamics, with particularly impressive agility in responding to the mood of the fourth movement. This new release further showcases a remarkable sense of stability stemming from the strength of their bond, along with a richly elevated musicality. Through the latest high-quality digital conversion and mastering, I believe you can sense an even more accomplished and splendid world created by both artists. Note that this recording occasionally exhibits noise originating from the master tape, some distortion, and techniques typical of recordings from that era. However, as always with our reissues, we respected the original master and aimed for mastering that prioritizes the texture of the instruments and the musicality. We hope you can appreciate the artistic vision of this historic masterpiece even more deeply. For this series, the SACD layer aims for extended high frequencies, soft nuances, high resolution, and a rich soundstage, while the CD layer strives for a cohesive, solid sound with a tangible, present-to-the-touch tonal quality. The CD itself possesses high potential; indeed, we encourage you to enjoy this as an SACD hybrid disc that allows you to savor the best of both formats. This 22nd installment of the Definition Series will release a total of three titles. <Production Notes> As noted in the accompanying booklet, during mastering we conducted thorough comparisons with previously released versions. We strived for optimal mastering that respects the original analog master tapes while maximizing the music’s potential. Generally, master tapes are raw material prior to final production. Their condition and quality vary significantly depending on the recording era, storage conditions, and the label’s approach to the master. Therefore, while the degree of processing differs, the fundamental principle for most cases is to apply only the absolute minimum necessary processing tailored to each final product format.。

hraudio | discogs

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