Centenary Collection 4: 1958-1967 Review

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Centenary Collection 4: 1958-1967 ReviewThis set marks the transition of classical recordings into the Stereo age. There is so much material that it is difficult to address it all, but I will do my best! The first disc, 1958, features an all-Mozart program by Rita Streich, including arias from her unmatched performances as Die Königin der Nacht and Blonda, as well as a rarely heard "Aer Tranquillo" from Il Re Pastore. These coloratura arias are delivered with such precision and flute-like high notes that you may doubt parts of them human! The second disk is Pierre Fournier playing two of Beethoven's later cello sonatas as well as the all-too-rarely heard Chopin sonata. The next disc is also cello, and features Rostropovich with the Schumann concerto, Rachmaninov Sonata (another rare gem) and a previously unreleased on CD Rococo Variations of Tchaikowsky, which easily outdoes even his own performance with von Karajan. The next disc, featuring Wilhelm Kempff, showcases two of his finer recordings: The Emperor Concerto and Hammerklavier sonata, both of Beethoven. There is something about Kempff's Beethoven sonatas that is truly enchanting (he recorded the entire cycle of 32 no less than three times, although the first had a few omissions for space). The next disc is from 1962, and that means von Karajan's Beethoven symphonies 3 and 8, which many people probably have in their collections already. Superb they are, but I would have preferred some lesser-known recordings. Karl Böhm's CD, unfortunately, does not do him the justice he deserves. The Mozart Sinfonia Concertante is somewhat banal, although the Strauss is very nice, especially Salome's Dance of the Seven Veils. Böhm shines brightest as an opera conductor, and the Salome is the only operatic selection. Pity.
Eugen Jochum brings spark to a very nice Brucker 7th and motets, even to a less-than avid Bruckner person like myself. Fritz Wunderlich is featured next, with warm, passionate arias from Mozart, Haydn, Verdi (in German!) and 12 magnificent Schubert Lieder. Although his career may have only lasted 10 years (ending with his untimely death, in the middle of recording Haydn's Die Schöpfung), Wunderlich is truly one of the great German lyric tenors. Géza Anda is next, with a nice Mozart K. 449 (in which he also serves as conductor) and a surprisingly eloquent Davidsbundlertänze. The last disc of this box is Narciso Yepes at his 10-string guitar. Full of resonance and technical virtuosity, he displays a program exclusively of Spanish music, including Sor, Albéniz, Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez and Falla's Spanish Folk Songs with Teresa Berganza. The intimacy of this last cycle of songs, mostly rather simple, is truly exquisite.
Even though many classical CD enthusiasts may have a few of these recordings in their collections already, this set is well worth the price, displaying eloquence and precision all the way through.Centenary Collection 4: 1958-1967 Overview

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