London Philharmonic Orchestra, Serge Koussevitzky – Serge Koussevitzky Conducts the London Philharmonic Orchestra (Live) (2022) [Official Digital Download 24bit/44,1kHz]

London Philharmonic Orchestra, Serge Koussevitzky – Serge Koussevitzky Conducts the London Philharmonic Orchestra (Live) (2022)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/44,1 kHz | Time – 02:28:04 minutes | 954 MB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Digital Booklet, Front Cover | © SOMM Recordings

SOMM Recordings announces a significant new release: the first live performance on CD of Tchaikovsky’s Fifth Symphony and Sibelius’ Second Symphony by legendary conductor Serge Koussevitzky and the London Philharmonic Orchestra. The historic double CD also includes an exclusive, specially commissioned documentary about Koussevitzky’s time with the Boston Symphony Orchestra and his guest appearances with the LPO, with interviews by Jon Tolansky with four key members of both orchestras.

Tolansky’s insightful hour-long documentary features extensive musical excerpts and contributions from former BSO players Harry Ellis Dickson (violin), Everett “Vic” Firth (timpani), and Harry Shapiro (sub-principal horn), as well as former LPO sub-principal horn player Patrick Strevens. The symphonies can be heard in performances Koussevitzky conducted with the LPO at London’s Royal Albert Hall in 1950. Both have been expertly restored by Lani Spahr.

Renowned connoisseur of historical recordings Rob Cowan provides extensive booklet notes on Koussevitzky’s “individual, flexible, inflammable, emotionally open and completely spontaneous” conducting of the two orchestras. He describes the Tchaikovsky as “particularly unique [in] its relentless volatility … The explosive climaxes leave the audience stunned.” Of the Sibelius, he says, “Koussevitzky’s London Second is the most comprehensive survey of the work we have.”

Tracklist:

01. London Philharmonic Orchestra & Serge Koussevitzky – Symphony No. 5 in E Minor, Op. 64, TH 29: I. Andante – Allegro con anima (Live) (15:37)
02. London Philharmonic Orchestra & Serge Koussevitzky – Symphony No. 5 in E Minor, Op. 64, TH 29: II. Andante cantabile con alcuna licenza (Live) (14:30)
03. London Philharmonic Orchestra & Serge Koussevitzky – Symphony No. 5 in E Minor, Op. 64, TH 29: III. Valse. Allegro moderato (Live) (06:22)
04. London Philharmonic Orchestra & Serge Koussevitzky – Symphony No. 5 in E Minor, Op. 64, TH 29: IV. Finale. Andante maestoso – Allegro vivace (Live) (11:36)
05. Jon Tolansky, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Serge Koussevitzky, Harry Ellis Dickson, Harry Shapiro & Patrick Strevens – Serge Koussevitzky, A Memoir, Pt. 1: La damnation de Faust (20:02)
06. Jon Tolansky, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Serge Koussevitzky, Harry Ellis Dickson, Harry Shapiro, Patrick Strevens & Everett Firth – Serge Koussevitzky, A Memoir (19:35)
07. Jon Tolansky, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Serge Koussevitzky & Patrick Strevens – Serge Koussevitzky, A Memoir (19:39)
08. London Philharmonic Orchestra & Serge Koussevitzky – Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 43: I. Allegretto (Live) (09:21)
09. London Philharmonic Orchestra & Serge Koussevitzky – Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 43: II. Tempo andante, ma rubato (Live) (12:13)
10. London Philharmonic Orchestra & Serge Koussevitzky – Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 43: III. Vivacissimo (Live) (05:41)
11. London Philharmonic Orchestra & Serge Koussevitzky – Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 43: IV. Finale. Allegro moderato (Live) (13:22)

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