Many middle-aged and older listeners will welcome this premiere CD release of Felix Prohaska and the Vienna State Opera Chamber Orchestra’s 1956 mono recordings of these seminal concertos. In their day they were considered a revelation after the wrong-headed, leaden efforts of predecessors Alfred Cortot (EMI), Adolf Busch (EMI), Pablo Casals (Columbia), and Edwin Fischer (EMI)–and Prohaska’s Brandenburgs still retain much of their style and charm, often differing radically even from most post-1960 interpretations.
While generally sprightly and imbued with a keen sense of momentum, Prohaska’s tempos are relentlessly constant throughout with allegros, andantes, and even some adagios practically indistinguishable from one another. What little ornamentation Prohaska manages (at the time many believed it abundant) also suffers from regularity and predictability. However, when Prohaska does take a rare chance, the results are often fascinating if not outright bizarre. For example, in the opening allegro of BWV 1051 Prohaska stretches the melodic line, skewing the rhythmic shape to the point where the ensemble swaggers with something less than sober-sounding agility.
Prohaska’s ensemble does include some excellent if not legendary soloists. Harpsichordist Anton Heiller’s brief though brilliant French-style Adagio in Concerto No. 3 couldn’t be lovelier–though modern scholarship has rendered it out of place. Trumpet player Helmet Wobisch performs expertly, especially during his solos in BWV 1047. Performing viola de gamba for Prohaska is Nikolaus Harnoncourt, who two years earlier served Jascha Horenstein on his landmark period-instrument cycle for Vox.
The sound is fine for its vintage, though it retains a focus that tends to favor the soloists. Sidney Finkelstein’s original notes have been reprinted in full (which you’ll need a magnifying glass to read). Unless you’re guided more by sentiment than by your musical better judgment, go for Leonhardt (Sony SEON), or spend a couple of dollars more and acquire one of the best–Goebel (DG Panorama).
