Credits:

Bruno Walter

Description:

The stereo recordings made by Bruno Walter (1876-1962) between 1957 and 1961, the last years of his life, are the most important performances in the vast discography of the greatest conductor of the 20th century, and are literally a "world heritage" of recordings, the fruit of his long musical experience and deep insight. The result is a collection of masterpieces that are literally a "world heritage" of recordings, the fruit of the many experiences and insights of his long musical career. These early stereo recordings were made at the American Legion Hall, which has excellent acoustics, through a series of detailed rehearsals and sessions with the Columbia Symphony Orchestra, which was specially organized for this purpose. This is the first new remix and remastering of these recordings in 21 years, and is one of the first copies to be sold off the "Bruno Walter Complete Stereo Recordings SA-CD Hybrid Edition" (7 volumes, available 2019-20), which won a special category and special award at the 58th "Record Academy Awards" in 2020. The four overtures were recorded on the last two days of Walter's last session of his life. The performance is full of life and spirit in every corner, and it is hard to believe that he was 84 years old.The "Funeral Music for Freemasons," which Walther listed as one of Mozart's finest works, and the songfulness of "Eine Kleine," the fourth session recording of the work, are also superb. (C)RS