Clemens Krauss' 1951 recording of Strauss' Sinfonia Domestica had virtually no competition in the early mono LP days, save for a Camden reprint of Ormandy's 1939 Philadelphia Orchestra version. If the orchestra plays the notes accurately, in tune, and with enthusiasm and fire, the interpretation virtually takes care of itself. Krauss brings charm and lilt to the love music, and drives through the fugue as if he decided to damn the brass entrances, full speed ahead. Otherwise his straightforward, well-balanced reading boasts nothing unusual or revelatory, and in any case has long been superceded by Järvi/RSNO (Chandos), Karajan/Berlin (EMI), and Szell/Cleveland, to name my favorites. The Vienna Philharmonic bravely rises to the score's challenges, nailing about 98 percent of them. What you really want this disc for, though, is the suite from Der Bürger als Edelmann. Here Decca's mono sonic stage easily absorbs Strauss' pared-down forces. Each movement takes on the character it's supposed to, and the Viennese musicians are in their element. The solos sing out with affectionate nuance, yet never lapse into schmaltz and schlag. One day I hope to hear Krauss' earlier, world premiere recording of this music, also with the Vienna Philharmonic. It would take a lot, however, for that shellac version to surpass this remake. Testament deserves credit for making these recordings available for the first time on CD.

--Jed Distler