Product Overview
Antal Dorati - Mendelssohn, Schumann: Symphonies (CD DOUBLE (SLIMLINE CASE)) Noted for his Haydn and Mozart and for his affinity with 20th-century music from Berg to Bartókto Messiaen, the Hungarian conductor AntalDorátialso demonstrated a particularly idiomatic flair in presenting music of the early romantic era. Of these Mendelssohn and Schuman recordings, all butthe Minneapolis 'Italian' Symphony are in stereo.Unlike many of his colleagues, Dorátitook pleasure in the process of recording, establishing a happy and concordant working relationship with the husband-and-wife Mercury team of Robert and Wilma Cozart Fine. One of the first fruits of that relationship was a pairing of Mozart's 40th andMendelssohn's 4th symphonies, made in Minneapolis where Dorátihad been music director since 1949 and released in 1953 (the Mozart has been reissued separately by Eloquence, coupled with Doráti'sfirst Haydn recordings and more Mozart).Dorátidirects crisp, flowing accounts which inhabit the soundworldof Mendelssohn and Schumann, understood forward from Haydn and Mozart rather than backwards from Brahms and Wagner. He finds in Henryk Szeryngan artistic partner of happy mutual understanding for the Violin Concerto: a justly celebrated recording from 1964 and a classic of the Mercury catalogue, but also a natural companion for Doráti'slight touch in four movements from A Midsummer Night's Dreamwhich were originally coupled in 1959 with excerpts from Grieg's score for Peer Gynt. Schumann's Fourth was also originally coupled with Doráti'sstereo traversal of Mozart's 40th. Long unavailable, this receives its first CD release on Decca. "Dorátipushes the ItalianSymphony through with considerable vivacity a very acceptable version of the work for those listeners seeking in it primarilyverve and brilliance." Gramophone, June 1954 (ItalianSymphony) "A nice, stylish version much neat and enjoyable solo playing, and some beautiful string tone." Gramophone, October 1959 (ScottishSymphony) "His performances are dapper and nicely felt. I particularly like his crisp, vivid approach to the Mendelssohn." Gramophone, December 1959 (A Midsummer Night's Dream) Tracklistings: CD 1 FELIX MENDELSSOHN (1809 1847) 1 4 Symphony No. 4 in A major, Op. 90 'Italian'- Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra 5 7 Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64 Henryk Szeryng, violin London Symphony Orchestra 8 11 Ein Sommernachtstraum(excerpts)ð Wiener Symphoniker CD 2 1 Overture: Die Hebriden, Op. 26 2 5 Symphony No. 3 in A minor, Op. 56 'Scottish' London Symphony Orchestra ROBERT SCHUMANN (1810 1856) 6 9 Symphony No. 4 in D minor, Op. 120- London Symphony Orchestra AntalDoráti -FIRST CD RELEASE ON DECCA ðFIRST INTERNATIONAL CD RELEASE ON DECCA
