Teldec’s two Art of Conducting videos merely hinted at the treasures still locked in the vaults of film archives and TV stations. Some of these programs are now coming to light commercially, thanks to pioneers like VAI, which has presented many CBC music video programs over the past few years, and now has issued six in what promises to be a series of videos from the archives of the Chicago Symphony and television station WGN. The first of these videos naturally begins with Fritz Reiner, here appearing during his initial season as Music Director, recorded on kinescope in 1954 at the WGN studios.
Reiner’s appearance in the Art of Conducting took place after his heart attack, tiny gestures summoning both massive fortes and intensely quiet pianos, the orchestra getting along as best it could. Here, however, Reiner is more active–his long stick denoting beat and accent, sometimes vigorously, sometimes quietly. Reiner’s face and eyes, however, do as much work as his arms; consistent with accounts of those who worked with or for him, this is not a conductor you want to cross.
Of the program here, the short pieces are most successful–the Handel is actually fun, the Beethoven Egmont Overture vigorous if a little stiff. The Seventh Symphony, however, is a disappointment: although it’s carefully played, the Poco Sostenuto has all the excitement of waiting for a bus, the Vivace too regulated to dance to. Succeeding movements are better, but Reiner’s Beethoven mostly just expresses the sour expression on his face.
Devotees of orchestras will note that Reiner’s layout is the old, standard one–first and second violins to the conductor’s left and right, cellos half-left, violas half-right. The orchestra, of appropriate size for Beethoven, plays superbly. VAI’s picture is clear and well-contrasted, the sound typical mid-50’s kinescope.
