Access to the publicly broadcast BSO concerts from this era has been extremely difficult even for researchers. This series of DVDs will make these performances available for the first time since they were broadcast.
Munch launched the BSO into television in 1955. He was an immensely popular conductor and well suited to being filmed.
This material represents some of the earliest televised concerts with the Boston Symphony and Charles Munch, and has been restored using the greatest care and state-of-the-art techniques. It is of exceptional musical interest and rare historic value.
Munch demonstrates a clear enjoyment of the works and combines discipline with freedom, guiding the orchestra to a thrilling performance.
Genoveva is dramatic, whilst he gives a ‘sunny’ rendition of Schubert’s Fifth Symphony. David Hurwitz wrote on classicstoday.com regarding a Schubert recording with Charles Munch and the BSO: “It is unbelievably exciting, with the orchestra playing as if its collective life depended on it”.
Munch had a great affection for and appreciation of Schumann’s Second Symphony, programming it in four different Boston Symphony Orchestra seasons, taking it on tour on each occasion. Munch never recorded Schumann's Symphony No.2 or Schubert's 5th Symphony, so these recordings are completely new to his discography.
This DVD also represents the first release of the works by the BSO.
Two of ICA’s BSO DVDs featuring Charles Munch as conductor, have been awarded the Diapason d’Or in France’s Diapason magazine.
1DVD
Sound format: LPCM Mono
Picture format: 4:3
Running time: 75’
Subtitles: n/a
Menu languages: English
Booklet languages: E/F/G
Region code: 0
Territory Restrictions: None
