This is a wonderful box that has given me hours of pleasure. It's also gorgeously presented, and it's nice to have the original jacket artwork, which is very much of its time.
I really enjoyed this. Your playfulness was wonderful. I enjoy your ability to separate your own musical preferences from a judgment about the quality of the interpretations.
Many thanks for this review. Most of this material I had acquired through previous editions and boxes, but it's nice to know just how comprehensive this one is. Sony deserves our plaudits for their evident care in preparing these huge boxed editions. I agree with most of your assessments. I used to follow the critics "back in the day" who opined that Walter's later renditions of standard repertoire were "soggy" and rhythmically flaccid. But careful listening over the years has reveal just how eminently musical, how beautifully crafted most of these performances are. Interesting, though, just how much Walter slowed down and "smelled the roses" along the way in his later, stereo remakes. But slower doesn't mean soggy, as you pointed out. My only disagreements came with his Mahler 5 and Brucker 4, which I regard as stronger performances than you do apparently. The fact that his Mahler 5 is lighter in tone and quicker in tempo than many is an advantage to my ears; it's a work that can suffer from sturm und drank overkill, and Walter avoids that. His Bruckner 4 is delightfully robust, even al fresco in tone (great hunting horn scherzo), and boasts the most riveting, heaven-storming coda in IV that I can remember hearing. Only Celi rivals Walter in that passage. I've come to love his stereo Beethoven cycle more and more over the years. Yes, it's rather relaxed, always lyrical, but there's sinew beneath that gemütlich surface. Again, thanks for the bib box reviews. I await the Kna boxes with particular interest.
Oh Dave, as a German I have to say that I love your german spellings! Thank you for introducing unknown conductors and composers to me - the rookie of listeners to classical music (I explored it for only more than 20 years for me but heard it only several times through the year). But now - daily! That's your merit! Thank you so much!
I've been sitting on the fence about buying the Walter box and I did ask you to do a video. Loved your review and BOUGHT IT! BTW, Amazon had 6 copies left, couple of hours after your video there was just three left. The price came out to less than $2.00 per CD. Thank you for the video
Thank you so much for encouraging me to get this box last summer, Dave. It ended up being one of my first two big box sets that I ever bought. (I bought it at the same time as the Richard Bonynge Ballet box.) There is so much great stuff in it that it feels like a treasure chest. I really wish Sony would do more of these nice big boxes for Leonard Bernstein (a complete one this time) and Arthur Fiedler, too.
agreed. as Dave notes, they do the Sony boxes very well and these should be a model for others. you can read the sleeves, the real book, notes, pics, etc etc.
I'm making my way through the box and have been listening to the basic repertory stuff that he never recorded commercially. Very good Debussy and Strauss. Ok Beethoven and Mendelsohn, though I prefer others. The Dvorak 8th is very good. Makes a good case for a work which I don't like as much as 5, 7, or 9. The Ma Vlast is okay, but I prefer the commercial recording. They wanted to include some Mahler, but the live Mahler 5 in the archives wasn't in good shape. On to Suk next.
I love Bruno Walter. His Columbia Symphony set of the Beethoven symphonies was one of the sets that I grew up with. I still think his Pastorale is hard to beat. However, I've never explored his earlier New York Philharmonic recordings of Beethoven. You make me want to go find them. I usually think of late Walter - calm, dignified and lyrical. His Mozart, Brahms and Schubert are treasures. But then you go back and listen to that first Dvorak Symphony 8 and the Barber Symphony 1. Where was this fire later in life!? I'd like to hear more of that from him.
Thank you for these insights, Dave. I actually recently finished listening through this box. A very rewarding process, during which I totally fell in love with Walter’s personality, both through the music and the interviews. I came for the historical significance and the famous Mahler recordings, but I stayed for the Mozart, and the glorious musicality of his interpretations. It just makes you feel good! Oh and I really enjoyed that Mahler 5, but I heard it quite a while ago and I can’t remember specifically why. Oh well. Guess I’ll have to listen again. I am very lucky to have both the Szell and Ormandy boxes lined up next! Which to go for first?
Agreed - this is a wonderful set and for once the bonus material (rehearsals etc.) is really interesting too. I only got hold of it fairly recently as I had nearly all of the constituent parts, but to anyone else in the same position I'd say get this while it's still around.
There isn't! The last incarnation of the EMI/Columbia Klemperer legacy was "the black box series" ordered somewhat thematically: e.g. Beethoven Symphonies and Ouvertures; Sacred Music; Romantic Symphonies and Ouvertures. The bonus material, a profile put together by Tolansky, is in The 20th Century Music box. I've always wondered whether EMI, now Warner, has rehearsal sequences or other unpublished material hidden somewhere in their vault. If so - and if of interest (sometimes there is a good reason for stuff being unpublished!), Klemperer certainly could deserve a box, lavishly and carefully prepared and produced as is the case with for example SONY's Walter and Szell boxes!
@@jensguldalrasmussen6446 , those 12 boxes contains all Klemperer's recordings for EMI except for Wagner's fliegende Holländer and Beethoven's Fidelio, which are available separately. So, you can really get the complete Klemperer, but in pieces.
David, I am a Mahler fanatic but somewhat late to the party with regard to Bruno Walter. I played his Mahler 1 with the New York Philharmonic earlier. Boy oh boy. You are right, this is echt Mahler.
I picked up Walter's autobiography a few years ago; wonder if some of these lavish productions might try to get rights to and add those to these deluxe boxes.
Enjoyed the video as usual Dave (watched it several times). I bought the Szell sony big box bec of your video on that one (and love it). I want to get another sony box. in your opinion, for a 2nd box (and for me as a neophyte in classical music), would you recommend the Walter OR the Ormandy (watched your video on that sev times also) OR some other sony? I am ready for my 2nd and I love the way Sony does them. thanks for the great videos and the enormous amt of time it takes to make these. CHEERS!
In my long ago college days I had Walter's recording of the Tannhäuser Overture & Venusburg music...it totally blew my mind. I've been a fan of the conductor ever since.His Brahms Symphony 1 (Columbia) also...amazing. Totally agree about the stereo DAS LIED and underrated Miller.
The first time a friend and I were listening to the Tannhäuser, we said at the same time "They hired a chorus!" The recording was a revelation not only because of the excellent performance, but also because of the beautiful sound picture.
Was the Columbia Symphony a masked LA Phil? Or a pick-up orchestra of great studio musicians? I have read both, and I have long been curious about which is the correct answer (perhaps it is sometimes one and sometimes the other).
Walter's stereo recordings were made with a pick-up orchestra of LA Phil and Hollywood studio musicians under the Columbia Symphony nom de plume. However, the last movement of the stereo Beethoven 9th was made in New York with a different pickup orchestra because Walter wanted the Westminster Choir in the finale.
@@alanmillsaps2810 The Bruckner 9 though was made with the LA Phil as the Columbia Symphony. Recorded the day after Walter's concert with the Philharmonic.
Walter flew to New York periodically from his California home to record with the Columbia SO (which never gave concerts, only played for recordings). After his heart attack prevented him from flying regularly, it became necessary to create another Columbia SO in California which I assume was made up of LAPO and other talented session musicians.
I wonder whether the gentle Walter Bruckner reflects the original tradition of Bruckner playing - especially as the early editions tended to smooth over the bumps....
I remember hearing the Bruckner 9, probably for the first time ever, and thinking "he really points up the beauty of the music." Not granitic, but beautifully lyrical.
There is nothing gentle about his Bruckner 9th. In fact, it's balls to the wall. 4th isn't exactly gentle either. It's refined and beautiful, but not gentle!
David Hurwitz is a treasure! So glad I found this channel
Thank you!
This is a wonderful box that has given me hours of pleasure. It's also gorgeously presented, and it's nice to have the original jacket artwork, which is very much of its time.
I really enjoyed this. Your playfulness was wonderful. I enjoy your ability to separate your own musical preferences from a judgment about the quality of the interpretations.
Many thanks for this review. Most of this material I had acquired through previous editions and boxes, but it's nice to know just how comprehensive this one is. Sony deserves our plaudits for their evident care in preparing these huge boxed editions. I agree with most of your assessments. I used to follow the critics "back in the day" who opined that Walter's later renditions of standard repertoire were "soggy" and rhythmically flaccid. But careful listening over the years has reveal just how eminently musical, how beautifully crafted most of these performances are. Interesting, though, just how much Walter slowed down and "smelled the roses" along the way in his later, stereo remakes. But slower doesn't mean soggy, as you pointed out. My only disagreements came with his Mahler 5 and Brucker 4, which I regard as stronger performances than you do apparently. The fact that his Mahler 5 is lighter in tone and quicker in tempo than many is an advantage to my ears; it's a work that can suffer from sturm und drank overkill, and Walter avoids that. His Bruckner 4 is delightfully robust, even al fresco in tone (great hunting horn scherzo), and boasts the most riveting, heaven-storming coda in IV that I can remember hearing. Only Celi rivals Walter in that passage. I've come to love his stereo Beethoven cycle more and more over the years. Yes, it's rather relaxed, always lyrical, but there's sinew beneath that gemütlich surface. Again, thanks for the bib box reviews. I await the Kna boxes with particular interest.
Oh Dave, as a German I have to say that I love your german spellings! Thank you for introducing unknown conductors and composers to me - the rookie of listeners to classical music (I explored it for only more than 20 years for me but heard it only several times through the year). But now - daily! That's your merit! Thank you so much!
My pleasure!
I've been sitting on the fence about buying the Walter box and I did ask you to do a video. Loved your review and BOUGHT IT! BTW, Amazon had 6 copies left, couple of hours after your video there was just three left. The price came out to less than $2.00 per CD. Thank you for the video
Hope you enjoy it!
Thank you so much for encouraging me to get this box last summer, Dave. It ended up being one of my first two big box sets that I ever bought. (I bought it at the same time as the Richard Bonynge Ballet box.) There is so much great stuff in it that it feels like a treasure chest. I really wish Sony would do more of these nice big boxes for Leonard Bernstein (a complete one this time) and Arthur Fiedler, too.
agreed. as Dave notes, they do the Sony boxes very well and these should be a model for others. you can read the sleeves, the real book, notes, pics, etc etc.
I love the Walter box. David, how about reviewing the new Supraphon box of Ancerl's live concerts? I'm very curious about that one.
Coming soon.
And because its on Supraphon...maybe some yummy samples!
Oh, at least the second one asking for this Ancerl review. So it's definitely a popular demand.
I seem to be the fifth. It must be a hot item.
I'm making my way through the box and have been listening to the basic repertory stuff that he never recorded commercially. Very good Debussy and Strauss. Ok Beethoven and Mendelsohn, though I prefer others. The Dvorak 8th is very good. Makes a good case for a work which I don't like as much as 5, 7, or 9. The Ma Vlast is okay, but I prefer the commercial recording. They wanted to include some Mahler, but the live Mahler 5 in the archives wasn't in good shape. On to Suk next.
I love Bruno Walter. His Columbia Symphony set of the Beethoven symphonies was one of the sets that I grew up with. I still think his Pastorale is hard to beat. However, I've never explored his earlier New York Philharmonic recordings of Beethoven. You make me want to go find them. I usually think of late Walter - calm, dignified and lyrical. His Mozart, Brahms and Schubert are treasures. But then you go back and listen to that first Dvorak Symphony 8 and the Barber Symphony 1. Where was this fire later in life!? I'd like to hear more of that from him.
Thank you for these insights, Dave. I actually recently finished listening through this box. A very rewarding process, during which I totally fell in love with Walter’s personality, both through the music and the interviews. I came for the historical significance and the famous Mahler recordings, but I stayed for the Mozart, and the glorious musicality of his interpretations. It just makes you feel good! Oh and I really enjoyed that Mahler 5, but I heard it quite a while ago and I can’t remember specifically why. Oh well. Guess I’ll have to listen again.
I am very lucky to have both the Szell and Ormandy boxes lined up next! Which to go for first?
Agreed - this is a wonderful set and for once the bonus material (rehearsals etc.) is really interesting too. I only got hold of it fairly recently as I had nearly all of the constituent parts, but to anyone else in the same position I'd say get this while it's still around.
Yes, I am wondering if there is a complete Columbia or EMi of Klemperer, too.
There isn't! The last incarnation of the EMI/Columbia Klemperer legacy was "the black box series" ordered somewhat thematically: e.g. Beethoven Symphonies and Ouvertures; Sacred Music; Romantic Symphonies and Ouvertures. The bonus material, a profile put together by Tolansky, is in The 20th Century Music box.
I've always wondered whether EMI, now Warner, has rehearsal sequences or other unpublished material hidden somewhere in their vault. If so - and if of interest (sometimes there is a good reason for stuff being unpublished!), Klemperer certainly could deserve a box, lavishly and carefully prepared and produced as is the case with for example SONY's Walter and Szell boxes!
@@jensguldalrasmussen6446 , those 12 boxes contains all Klemperer's recordings for EMI except for Wagner's fliegende Holländer and Beethoven's Fidelio, which are available separately. So, you can really get the complete Klemperer, but in pieces.
Don't be surprised if there's one next year- to mark the 50th anniversary of his death.
This was a wonderful video. Although more CDs are the last thing I need, I just ordered this box from Amazon (37% off). Sony owes you a commission.
David, I am a Mahler fanatic but somewhat late to the party with regard to Bruno Walter. I played his Mahler 1 with the New York Philharmonic earlier. Boy oh boy. You are right, this is echt Mahler.
So glad you liked it!
@@DavesClassicalGuide I played his Brahms cycle over the weekend, that's pretty damn special too!
I picked up Walter's autobiography a few years ago; wonder if some of these lavish productions might try to get rights to and add those to these deluxe boxes.
They won't and they shouldn't. Yes, it's a Walter box, but the focus should remain on the music and the recordings, not the conductor's biography.
Great are the concertos with Francescatti. Beethoven and the Brahms double with Fournier. Hopefully Sony will come with a complete Francescatti box.
Thank you,Dave.
Enjoyed the video as usual Dave (watched it several times). I bought the Szell sony big box bec of your video on that one (and love it). I want to get another sony box. in your opinion, for a 2nd box (and for me as a neophyte in classical music), would you recommend the Walter OR the Ormandy (watched your video on that sev times also) OR some other sony? I am ready for my 2nd and I love the way Sony does them. thanks for the great videos and the enormous amt of time it takes to make these. CHEERS!
anyone else is free to weigh in on this also. much appreciated.
In my long ago college days I had Walter's recording of the Tannhäuser Overture & Venusburg music...it totally blew my mind. I've been a fan of the conductor ever since.His Brahms Symphony 1 (Columbia) also...amazing. Totally agree about the stereo DAS LIED and underrated Miller.
The first time a friend and I were listening to the Tannhäuser, we said at the same time "They hired a chorus!" The recording was a revelation not only because of the excellent performance, but also because of the beautiful sound picture.
Great stuff. How 'bout one of the big Bernstein Sony boxes next?
was it difficult to put captions? not everybody is so fluent to understand everything the critic says!
Was the Columbia Symphony a masked LA Phil? Or a pick-up orchestra of great studio musicians? I have read both, and I have long been curious about which is the correct answer (perhaps it is sometimes one and sometimes the other).
Walter's stereo recordings were made with a pick-up orchestra of LA Phil and Hollywood studio musicians under the Columbia Symphony nom de plume. However, the last movement of the stereo Beethoven 9th was made in New York with a different pickup orchestra because Walter wanted the Westminster Choir in the finale.
@@alanmillsaps2810 The Bruckner 9 though was made with the LA Phil as the Columbia Symphony. Recorded the day after Walter's concert with the Philharmonic.
@@ericnagamine7742 There's always pesky details aren't there? Where did you get this info? I've never read it, but I haven't seen this big box either.
@@alanmillsaps2810 The ARSC Journal had the session list of the players on the Bruckner. Just LA Phil players.
Walter flew to New York periodically from his California home to record with the Columbia SO (which never gave concerts, only played for recordings). After his heart attack prevented him from flying regularly, it became necessary to create another Columbia SO in California which I assume was made up of LAPO and other talented session musicians.
I wonder whether the gentle Walter Bruckner reflects the original tradition of Bruckner playing - especially as the early editions tended to smooth over the bumps....
I remember hearing the Bruckner 9, probably for the first time ever, and thinking "he really points up the beauty of the music." Not granitic, but beautifully lyrical.
There is nothing gentle about his Bruckner 9th. In fact, it's balls to the wall. 4th isn't exactly gentle either. It's refined and beautiful, but not gentle!
One of the greats
David Im sorry I see this is a year ago but as a fan of Walter I gotta ask how much was this set priced at?
I don't remember.