In the early days of stereo many significant non-stereo productions were slighted by collectors in their rush to pursue two-channel re-recordings. Toscanini’s mono “New Orthophonic” recordings were pretty much ignored, so the new 20-bit resolution CDs being reissued in the “Toscanini–The Immortal” series will provide both new and “seasoned” listeners with one revelation after another. This two-disc set is no exception. Toscanini had a close association with Respighi, conducting the first North American performance of Pines of Rome and the world premiere of Feste Romane. In his 1951 and 1953 recordings of Pines and Fountains, the versions offered in this set, the maestro spares nothing in obtaining virtuoso playing from his superb NBC Symphony members. The high-energy splashes of orchestral color are dazzling and the mono engineering, state-of-the-art for its day, sounds amazingly good. Feste Romane is an equally arresting interpretation and if its 1949 sound is not quite as good as the 1950s recordings (audio technology advanced quickly, even back then!), it sounds better than ever before, much more open and with less congestion and distortion in the mammoth tuttis.
The second CD offers music from Italian opera. There are three Rossini overtures–studio recordings of the Semiramide and William Tell, and a live 1950 rendition of the Italian in Algiers. The opening bars to the latter are curiously missing in this transfer, but it seems no great loss as this is a pretty heavy-handed reading, whereas the studio recordings are marvelous, particularly William Tell. There are timpani and woodwind details in this performance that are revelations, and again, the recording sounds much better than one might expect, given its age.
Ponchielli’s Dance of the Hours really sparkles. The percussion, bells in particular, is captured with tangible presence. It’s also good to have the two Catalani rarities on CD as well as the Donizetti. The Forza Del Destino Overture is a real knockout, too. The way Toscanini conducts those famous opening chords, we know something important is about to happen and that it’s going to be worth listening to! In sum, this is a vivid collection of works that Toscanini knew, loved, and performed about as well as anyone, and it’s successfully re-mastered for contemporary ears. [7/23/2000]
