- Producer's Note
- Full Track Listing
- Cover Art
Two of the four items presented in this collection, timed to coincide with
the 125th anniversary of Jascha Horenstein’s birth, have previously
appeared on the
At least three of Horenstein’s Vox recordings in stereo, theRite of Spring, the Pastoral Symphony and the Consecration of the House Overture, appeared on LPs during the
1970s in America on the “Classica” label and under fictitious names, in
this case the “Rome Symphony Orchestra” conducted by “Leonardo Scotti”. The
LPs were part of a number of older Vox recordings in stereo issued in
disguise, but how and why they ended up on the Classica label and not on
Vox remains a mystery. The puzzle was partially solved when Classica’s
stereo Rite of Spring, correctly identified by Leslie Gerber of
Parnassus Records as Horenstein’s 1957 Vox version, was restored and first
published by
Structural logic, clear vertical textures and long lyrical lines are particularly satisfying aspects of Horenstein’s Pastoral Symphony, beautifully articulated by the Vienna Symphony Orchestra in resplendent form and a recording that can be counted among his finest. The opening Allegro movement, alert with lively rhythms, sharp accents and attention to detail, is followed by a flowing ‘Scene by the Brook’ of gentle, undulating elasticity and delicate phrasing that keeps its sometimes tedious longeurs moving, with the orchestra providing mellow string and woodwind tones. Horenstein injects real trenchancy and humour into the third movement dance of the peasants that leads effortlessly to a storm section of great power, judiciously paced and without eccentricities, whose dissonant tensions are relieved by the poise and warmth of the Allegretto fifth movement. The full, rich orchestral sound achieved in the present restoration, as well as the playing of the VSO throughout, is a delight to the ear.
The overture Consecration of the House, recorded at the same sessions as the symphony, receives a thrilling performance of great majesty and driving, inner thrust, shaped elegantly by orchestral playing of great distinction. Of the other two overtures, recorded and published by Vox only in mono, Coriolan is intense and romantic with a Furtwängler-type climax of monumental, tragic grandeur, while the grieving intensity of Egmont shares many of same characteristics.
Misha Horenstein
HORENSTEIN conducts Beethoven: Symphony No. 6 & 3 Overtures
BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 6 in F major, Op. 68, 'Pastoral'
1. 1st mvt. - Erwachen heiterer Empfindungen bei der Ankunft auf dem Lande (Allegro ma non troppo) (8:59)
2. 2nd mvt. - Scene am Bach (Andante molto moto) (12:51)
3. 3rd mvt. - Lustiges Zusammensein der Landleute (Allegro) (5:51)
4. 4th mvt. - Gewitter. Sturm (Allegro) (4:01)
5. 5th mvt. - Hirtengesang. Frohe und dankbare Gefühle nach dem Sturm (Allegretto) (10:18)
Recorded in stereo, 25-26 April 1957, Konzerthaus, Vienna
6. BEETHOVEN Consecration of the House Overture, Op. 124 (11:00)
Recorded in stereo, 25-26 April 1957, Konzerthaus, Vienna
7. BEETHOVEN Coriolan Overture, Op. 62 (9:55)
Recorded in mono, 2-16 February 1953, Konzerthaus, Vienna
Presented in Ambient Stereo
8. BEETHOVEN Egmont, Op. 84 - Overture (9:31)
Recorded in mono, 2-16 February 1953, Konzerthaus, Vienna
Presented in Ambient Stereo
Vienna Symphony Orchestra
conducted by Jascha Horenstein
XR Remastered by
Cover artwork based on a photograph of Jascha Horenstein
Source recordings from the collection of Misha Horenstein
With special thanks to Jean-Pascal Hamelin of Quebec for identifying and supplying the source recording for the Pastoral Symphony
Total duration: 72:26