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Review: Splendid Blomstedt Box--The San Francisco Years
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- Опубліковано 17 сер 2020
- How about a 15-CD box in which every disc is recommendable? Astonishing, but true. Check out Herbert Blomstedt's extraordinary San Francisco legacy while you can!
I thought I knew Blomstedt's SF discography pretty well, but I had missed out on his German Requiem. And I'm *picky, picky* in my German Requiems. Superb! Natural and flowing, filled with lovely instrumental detail, impeccably sung (though I prefer a deeper, darker baritone) and incredibly powerful -- those organ pedals practically shook the whole house. Not a lazy or indifferent bar in the whole piece. Fabulous engineering too. One of my new faves
So glad you finally heard it.
Thanks for discussing one of the greatest conductors of our time! I love all of his Hindemith and Nielsen recordings. For Nielsen 2 and 3, but also 5 and 6. He brings out the humor and utter strangeness in 6 better than any other I’ve heard. My favorite Sibelius 3 and 6 are also by Blomstedt and the SFS. I hope he records a Berwald cycle now. If he doesn’t, he did a Third that’s available to watch on the Berlin Phil’s Digital Concert Hall.
I don’t know Blomstedt’s work well, but I find it very charming that he refused to practice on his Sabbath (because that’s work), but was happy to play (because that is an expression of spiritual joy).
I've always thought Blomstedt/SFS should be held in the same legendary regard as Karajan/BP and Bernstein/NYP
Amen!
Me: cool a new video. I'm going to learn something new about Blomstedt.
Dave: He's a happy fungus
The finest conductor born in Springfield, Massachusetts!
After Homer Simpson.
Blomstedt was born a mere 35 years after Maestro, er, Dr. James Naismith conducted the first basketball game there (final score: 2-0), and only 23 years after the birth, in the same city, of Theodor "Ted" Geisel, aka Dr. Seuss (not to be confused with the "Girl Gershwin," Dana Suesse). But where is the museum or even statue devoted to Blomstedt? I tell you, there's no justice.
Blomstedt has turned me into a believer and lover of two major works that nobody else had managed: the Eroica and Sibelius 2. (I already loved the German Requiem from the Telarc Atlanta/Shaw performance.) Glad to hear I’m not the only one he’s had that effect on, in various different works. I always felt his conducting was more natural, fresh, and lively than most others. He really didn’t make a bad recording there.
"Frankly, if Decca were smart they'd take all of their Blomstedt recordings...and throw them in a box." Unfortunately most of these record companies AREN'T smart. They make horrible decisions. Just look at DG. Their new artists are garbage; their new website looks like it was designed by a junior high school student. But, that notwithstanding, Blomstedt is an amazing conductor. I saw an interview that he gave regarding the B Minor Mass it was was quite insightful.
I absolutely agree that Blomstedt is under appreciated. Like you, I usually avoid “first versions” of any of various works, but Blomstedt’s direction of Beethoven’s “Leonore” is so musical, it makes me want to listen more. I wish he’d made a “Fidelio”.
There's a fantastic DVD of him doing the B-minor Mass from the Thomaskirche where everything goes right. I saw him at the age of 91 conduct as lively, exciting, and brilliant Brahms 3 in Philadelphia. They loved playing for him. It was an aboslute JOY to see him in person.
I agree! I have the DVD. I saw him in Vienna conducting Bruckner's 5 with the Philharmonic. One of the greatest musical experiencies of my life!
I am fortunate enough to already have every Blomstedt/SFS recording, from their original issue. Some I even got from overseas before they were released in the US.
Fortunate you are, sir!
"The heedless discographic maw" is a perfect description of the Universal monopoly.
Thanks David. The receiver is a character in Peer Gynt, he hangs out with the Thief in Act IV so I assume he is a "receiver of stolen goods" type character. Fantastic review, as always, I am tempted. I like his Nielsen recordings and the Bruckner he conducts in the latest box set from the Berlin Philharmonic Digital Concert Hall.
Thanks for the info! I work in real estate and so I naturally assumed that the Receiver was the court appointed guardian of Peer's foreclosed house. Since I didn't see any auction listed in the newspaper I got confused.
I just checked Amazon and it is no longer available. so this video indeed has become the memorial. Blomstedt is actually conducting in San Francisco as we speak. I really hope he will keep conducting pass 100 years old
Have a lot time for Blomstedt - anyone who can make Strauss' Also Sprach Zarathustra not sound like an anticlimax after the famous opening 'sunrise' sequence has got to know what they're doing (his Denon recording with the Staatskapelle is just phenomenal, and really made me reappraise a piece I'd always considered a bit of an uneven potboiler). Oh yes that Nielsen 2 & 3 - wow, wow, wow (and thanks for confirming my suspicion something was a little off with the recording quality of 4 & 5.... I thought it was just me - it really sounds congested in the heaviest passages). Truly a wonderful, self effacing musician.
I got nearly all these Decca recordings in their initial release - many of my favourites aren’t in the box e.g. Bruckner 6, Schubert Unfinished, Nielsen 5 and 6, Hindemith Konzertmusik for brass and strings, Der Schwanendreher.
Well, the Konzertmusik is in there--they added it to the Hindemith disc.
David Hurwitz I stand corrected although I think it would have been better to include the additional Hindemith disc. But the record companies, like God, move in mysterious ways their wonders to perform
The Bruckner 6 is sensational. So warm and emotional. DEFINITELY worth hearing in my book.
I really like my recordings with Blomstedt in SF. Nielsen, Sibelius come to mind...... of course!
I've always admired American orchestras, since as a teenager I acqired an LP of Tchaikovsky's 'Pathetique' with Leinsdorf and the LAPO. Then I discovered Szell. The rest is history.
By the way, I was an English lad in SE England....
I remember Blomstedt and Mackerras in the 1990's when I was living in the SF Bay Area. Good times!
Hey Dave, could you do some videos of the best recordings a conductor has done in addition to your best recordings of a specific piece? So many of us have such loyalty to conductors, it would be fun to hear your thought process on that
it's a good idea and I have been thinking about it--not just conductors--soloists too. Thanks for the suggestion.
Dave: This box is great. Everything in it is superb...
Me: I don't know if I should buy another...
Dave: My cat agrees
Me: Looks on Amazon for a box
Just to be clear, you're not looking for a box for the cat, right? She already has two.
For my taste, one of those conductors who give it to us straight, which I tend to prefer. Pair him with a great orchestra that knows the repertoire cold, add really fine recording, and what more could one desire.
I have only ever heard Blomstedt conduct live once, in the fall of 2001 or 2002. It was at the Kennedy Center, with the Gewandhaus Orchestra, an orchestra which I know well in several different US venues. They performed Bruckner 9. Sound like a giant organ. Staggering!
Critics used to write of certain recordings that they were “self-recommending.” I generally think that of Blomstedt’s releases.
Does Universal own his Dresden recordings for Denon? If so, they would also make for a nice reissue box.
Thanks so much for these reviews, and for calling attention to the work of conductors who tend to be off the current radar, but which is eminently worth hearing and owning.
There's a fine interview with Blomstedt from the beginning of the year on the WRTI website. It was part of the Philly Orchestra broadcast.
Decca listened and released a full Decca Blomstedt box. Would love to hear your verdict.
You're about an hour early!
I'm wondering how quickly this new one will sell out -- $3 a disk is what the British used to call "value for money" in those old music magazines!
Regarding the Schubert 9, the Gramophone reviewer of the initial issue mentioned if I remember well that some big edit was audible at the end of the first movement. Has this (if it was indeed the case) been corrected in the box set?
I honestly didn't catch it--I just enjoyed the performance and I don't have the earlier issue with me to check.
I will not be getting this box, as it is woefully incomplete. The team comprised of Blomstedt, SFSO, and the Decca engineers hit a super sweet spot, much as they had in Geneva with Ansermet back in the day, and found a perfect placement of microphones in a lovely acoustical space with a fantastic orchestra with a conductor who was great in a wide array of repertoire.
Very sad that they didn’t issue a COMPLETE Blomstedt box. I’m holding out for that one.
I understand completely, but for some 15 terrific CDs will be plenty.
David Hurwitz Of course! For many, this box is plenty enough, but for me, it gives a great conductor/orchestra team rather short shrift. Alas.
Blomstedt's Bruckner 6 with San Francisco is also superb.
Good, not great.
I have seen him conduct 2x in Cleveland in the last few years: Beethoven 7 and Nielsen 3, and Mendelssohn 3. The Beethoven was way more exciting than his Dresden recording. I hear that the musicians here loved making music with him.
David, what are the alternates to Amazon that you mentioned at the beginning of this video?
Presto Classical, Arkivmusic.com, the label websites individually (most have online sales directly), etc.
Regarding the Schubert 9... in the interview in which he said he is going to record the a Berwald cycle, he also said he is going to record a complete Schubert cycle next year with the Gewandhaus...
Just what we need...
Actually I don't know what other buying options are out there besides Amazon and Ebay. Anyone care to share??
Now here's my problem: during the years I managed to collect exactly the half of them already (Bartók, Berwald, Brahms Choral Works, Grieg, Mendelssohn, Orff, Sibelius, R. Strauss). Is it worth to buy for the other half? Or wait for a super complete Universal box (though I have many of the Gewandhaus recordings too)?
Did I miss the CD with Der Schwanendreher etc. ? That's a good CD.
He didn't record it.
@@DavesClassicalGuide But he did! I am looking at it right now. The CD contains Nobilissima Visione, Der Schwanendreher, and Konzertmusik. Year released was 1993, on London Digital.
David: Speaking of box sets and conductors, maybe sometime you could do a review of the Gerard Schwartz set on Naxos.
I did an extensive written review on ClassicsToday.com (for insider subscribers). It's a great set.
Thanks! I'll check it out. Schwartz is a wonderful conductor. I've always wondered though why he left his trumpet playing behind. I didn't always like his sound, but he had fine technical skills.
Any chance that you will actually do a Mendelssohn symphonies video? That would be amazing! especially after your latest Mendelssohn box set video :)
I will likely get to it.
I was disappointed that the San Francisco Symphony under Maestro Blomstedt CD of John Harbison's Oboe Concerto and the Symphonies No. 2 of Harbison and Roger Sessions was not a part of the box. It may be the best recording of a major orchestral work by Sessions.
Don't be disappointed. Be realistic. You're right, but I understand why it wasn't included--the Sessions is great, but the Harbison isn't,, and no one really likes Sessions, sadly. That's just the reality.
@David Hurwitz Do you think you are starting to have an effect on sales? You mentioned the box is still available, so I ran to Amazon to buy it... guess what? None available! Except of course for some ridiculously priced 3rd party offers... You are an influencer now ! 😀
Sorry.
@@DavesClassicalGuide thnx! - of course, all in good humour ! :D but really, though, I am not kidding on the other part - everything you mention I immediately see quantities decrease in Amazon - that is good! so keep up the good work! loving it.
Here is the link of the convo with Alan Gilbert and Herbert Blomstedt for them who have not seen it. facebook.com/watch/live/?v=649116868976221&ref=watch_permalink
Duh!! If you believed the p.r. dept. of the S.F. Symphony, you'd think nothing ever happened prior to MTT. Before everything came to a dead halt due to Covid19, Blomstedt was being welcomed back with a red carpet and conqueror's parade - rightfully so! We never had it so good. Seriously. That said, De Waart did some great Mahler and Rachmaninoff in S.F. Personally speaking, I'm quite happy to see the backside of Tilson Thomas. I won't go there.
MTT has grown on me, but I wasn’t too excited when he arrived (aside from things like Molotov which were fabulously exciting live). Blomstedt has always been a favorite, I did a website and Wikipedia article about him back in the day.