Fritz Mahler conducts Brahms Hungarian Dances

Brahms Hungarian Dances 

Fritz Mahler / Hartford Symphony Orchestra 

There are not a lot of Fritz Mahler LP's floating around, and I was delighted to find this one, signed by the conductor himself. The son of a first cousin of the great composer Gustav Mahler, conducted the  Erie Philharmonic from 1947 to 1953 before moving to Harford and leading the  Hartford Symphony Orchestra until 1964.  His first permanent engagement in the U.S. came in 1935 when he became music director of the Philadelphia's La Scala Opera Company (that's not an error). I assume he left Europe due to the rise of the Nazi's in Germany and the war, but nothing is mentioned that I can find other than his experiencing, "major changes in both his private and professional life." from 1935 to 1947.  "https://mahlerfoundation.org/mahler/family-tree/generation-6d/fritz-mahler-1901-1973/  

The performances themselves are well done and enjoyable. Orchestrations are by Brahms for 1,3, and 10; Andraeas Hallen for 2,4, and 7; Albert Parlow for 5 and 6; and Antonin Dvorak for 17-21.  Quite a mix. Nonetheless, they work well as a set. Enjoy!

All files are here:  https://www.mediafire.com/folder/952jhxr78mxus/F._Mahler_Hartford_19_Hungarian_Dances

Reiner 1949 Brandenburg Concertos

Reiner Brandenburg Concertos

1949 Recordings

To say that I am not fully satisfied with these renovations is an understatement, but the extent of my dissatisfaction varies from mild to substantial. But looking back on a Facebook post, I realize I started work on the records two years ago, dropped the project because I didn't like my work, and picked it up again recently. I don't dislike my work as much as I did, and sometimes I almost think it's OK. Nonetheless, having done it, I figured I'd put it up and let others decide. The performances are well represented in digital form, including a Pristine Classical restoration with wonderful sound that I nonethless find too souped-up to represent the chamber group employed. I'd rather listen to my old LP's.  But whatever your reaction to these sound files, do by all means find a digitization of the performances that you can enjoy. They are quite modern for their day and musically satisfying for any era.  Brisk and beautifully played by some of the best soloists New York offered at the time.  

The first two concertos, volume one of the three LP set are from the original release in 1950, and the above art work uses it, photoshopped,  to announce this post.  The beginning tracks of the first concerto were the most challenging to renovate.  The other four concertos, 3-6 are from Harmony releases in the late 1950's, with better surfaces.

Files can be found in these links: 

https://www.mediafire.com/folder/6pg64x89bd11v/Reiner_Brandenburg_Concertos_1949_Vol.1

https://www.mediafire.com/folder/htm3bo6eqdwey/Reiner_Brandenburg_Concertos_Vol._2

 

Horszowski, Katims, Schneider, Miller Play Mozart and Beethoven

New York Quartet

Horszowski, Katims, Schneider, Miller

Play Mozart and Beethoven

This lovely performance from 1953 of these two works does not seem to have made it to CD, though it is digitized in the internet archive, where one can also find the text from the back of the LP jacket. As musicological information about the works can be found elsewhere, I don't have much to add. I found the LP only recently, cleaned it, played it, liked it, and after finding it unrepresented on CD, decided to digitize and clean up the record and post it. Flac and mp3 files, along with cd cover art for those who still enjoy burning to a format that is not so gradually disappearing, can be found here: https://www.mediafire.com/folder/w3w6v8exjkki4/Horszowski_Katims_Schneidr_Miller_Mozart_Beethoven

I hope you enjoy the music and performances as much as I do. Schneider and Horszowski are two of my favorite musicians.