After more than 10 years, these 1960s-vintage recordings receive their second incarnation in Sony Classics’ “Essential Classics” series. Listeners who already have the original disc, issued in 1991, will find little reason to “upgrade” to this one, despite the claim of digital remastering. Sure, you get some more “hall” sound (the old Severance Hall was fairly dry anyway) along with the same analog hiss and low-frequency congestion (especially in the timpani rolls in the first movement of the Haffner Symphony), but there is no quantum leap in reproduction quality. However, if you don’t yet own these recordings, you must, for they have long been regarded among the best.
Szell’s readings bridge the old and new “authentic” worlds of classical period performance. Tempos are brisk but not robotic. You get the precision of Toscanini with the warmth of Walter. Note, for instance, how in the first movement of the G minor symphony, when the violins enter with their famous two-note “theme” Szell adds the slightest touch of tasteful ritardando without losing any sense of momentum. The ensemble is literally perfect with elegant solo playing from the vaunted wind section. But pride of place goes to the reading of the Haffner Symphony, especially in the last movement where Szell presides over a true “presto” and absolutely breathtaking string playing. This movement itself is worth the price of this “essential” budget disc.
