This morning’s conductor is Belgian-born Andre Cluytens (1905-1967). The orchestra is the world-famous Orchestre Philharmonique De Berlin, which was founded in 1882.
I had never heard of Maestro Cluytens before I chose him for this project. But, that’s part of the reason why I did.
Plus, the cover of the CD box set looked different from all others I’d seen. It has, to my eyes, a sort of a Christmas motif going.
According to his bio on Wikipedia, Maestro Cluytens,
was active in the concert hall, opera house and recording studio. His repertoire extended from Viennese classics through French composers to 20th century works. Although much of his career was spent in France, he was the first French conductor at Bayreuth in 1955; he also conducted the Ring and Parsifal at La Scala.
A prolific recording artist, Cluytens signed a contract with the French branch of EMI Pathé-Marconi in 1946. He recorded an extensive series of complete French operas with the forces of the Opéra-Comique and the Opéra National de Paris. He also recorded a wide range of orchestral works by the French masters, two traversals of the orchestral works of Ravel, and a complete cycle of Beethoven’s nine symphonies with the Berlin Philharmonic in 1957–1960. Many of his records, and some live performances, have since been re-issued on CD, while film of him conducting Ravel and Tchaikovsky (with Emil Gilels) have been presented on DVD. He may be seen during the overture of the film Le Barbier de Séville.
Beethoven wrote his symphonies in four parts (except for the Sixth, which is in five). The time breakdown of this particular one (Symphony No. 1 in C Major), from this particular conductor (Cluytens, at age 55) and this particular orchestra (Orchestre Philharmonique De Berlin), at this particular time in history (1960) on this particular record label (Parlophone/Warner Music France) is as follows:
I. Adagio molto………………………………………………………………………………..9:32
II. Andante cantabile con moto………………………………………………………6:05
III. Menuetto. Allegro molto e vivace……………………………………………….3:27
IV. Adagio – Allegro molto e vivace…………………………………………………6:01
Total running time: 25:05
My Rating:
Recording quality: 5 (remarkably good for being nearly 60 years old; some noticeable tape hiss)
Overall musicianship: 5 (sounds energetic and inspired)
CD liner notes: 2 (everything is written in French, which is great if one is from Paris)
How does this make me feel: 5
I must give this a “Yowza!” rating. It is lively, brisk, and magical. The Third Movement is especially fun. But, as is often the case, the Finale steals the show.
I’m amazed how much I like this recording. It has “IT,” whatever it is that grabs me by the lapels and commands that I pay attention. (Does anyone have lapels any more?)
Of the five previous recordings, this one by Cluytens is, by far, the briefest – by nearly one full minute. Cluytens gets in, gets out, and leaves me wanting more.
A masterful performance.
“Huzzah!”