Access to the publicly broadcastBSO concerts from this era has beenextremely difficult even for researchers.This series of DVDs will make theseperformances available for the firsttime since they were broadcast. Munchlaunched 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-arttechniques. It is of exceptional musical interest and historical value. Munch is best known for his performances ofFrench music, Debussy and Ravel in particular, and introduced the United States to a great deal of French repertoire, which was the cornerstoneof his tenure with the BSO. All three works on this DVD were composedduring Munch's lifetime (Munch was 14 when La Mer was premiered and 21 for the premieres of Iberia and Mother Goose). An exciting, rhythmic conductor, he clearly enjoys hisposition on the podium, and was renowned for bringing something new and exciting to each performance as well as great spontaneity.
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Vintage Munch and Boston
In a word: thrilling. Neither the mono sound (well balanced and detailed as it is) nor the vintage black and white video imagery can detract from the significance of this release. The rare opportunity to experience visually as well as sonically the great Boston Symphony Orchestra under Charles Munch, one of its finest music directors, trumps any shortcomings. The 1958-1961 footage features Ravel's Ma Mere L'Oye Suite as well as Debussy's Iberia and La Mer. Munch's profound empathy for this repertoire is everywhere matched by the superb playing of this great orchestra. Witness the masterful maneuvering of the complex and challenging transition to the last movement of Iberia (Le Matin d'un jour de fete). The subtle dynamic shading and rhythmic plasticity produced by the strings in movement II (Petit Poucet) of Ma Mere L'Oye is extraordinary. The exaltation at the conclusion of La Mer is palpable. The list goes on and on. Refinement and excitement in perfect equilibrium. 68 minutes of pure joy. Annotations are excellent.
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