Presenting these two concertos on one disc offers something of a truncated biography of Adolf Busch the soloist. Not only are these pieces (particularly the Brahms) staples of the repertoire, but they had a deeply personal meaning for Busch as well. In a sense, Busch was the third-generation heir to both of these works, which were written for Joseph Joachim, the teacher of Busch’s own teacher. And if that isn’t enough to make the idea of these live recordings compelling, then there’s the added attraction of hearing Busch’s final performance: the Brahms was recorded live in December, 1951 with the Basel Orchestra and a dynamic Hans Münch conducting.
Aficionados will find all of Busch’s prized qualities in abundance here: his lustrous tone, keenly playful sense of rhythm, and take-no-prisoners abandon. Sometimes that lack of inhibition and muscularity does tarnish the “prettiness” of his sound, but Busch’s warmth and humanity reveal far more than the ice-cold elegance of other players. The 1944 Dvorák is particularly splendid for its breadth and majestic feeling. Matching that vigor and flexibility is conductor Leon Barzin, working with the first-rate National Orchestral Association (which, like the New World Symphony of today, was a “bridge” orchestra for young players between conservatory and professional symphonies).
While the sound of the Dvorák is perfectly acceptable for historic material, the Brahms is in much worse sonic shape, despite the best efforts of the remastering engineer. The grandeur of the opening Allegro non troppo’s orchestral tuttis is dimmed by the fuzzy sound; and the serious warping in the Adagio noticeably bends pitches in the sweet passage around 5:55–and also in the final, hushed measures. Still, I wouldn’t trade this performance for anything, both as a historical document and as a testament to Busch’s artistry as a soloist, which is often overshadowed by his work as a chamber musician. The loving transfers are complemented by Tully Potter’s liner notes, which are as informative and impassioned as we expect from this Busch expert.
