Bruno Walter/CSO - Beethoven: Symphony No.6 in F major, Op.68 "Pastorale" (1958) 24-Bit/96-kHz Vinyl Rip

This is an energetic and well played performance and Mark Obert-Thorn has done marvellously well with the transfer. I love the “Pastoral” of all symphonies and to be able to hear this recording from seventy years ago in very tolerable sound is wonderful. I must say that for the general listener the recording from 1960 on Sony is in better sound and indeed a better performance. The Columbia Symphony Orchestra was in fact the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra. There is another recording from 1946 from Philadelphia but I haven’t heard it in a decent transfer.
There is delightful phrasing from the woodwind in a delightful opening movement. The second seems a bit slow to my ears - slower than in 1960 - but the playing is fine with the performance practice of the time ”portamenti” (swooping) in evidence. Wonderful woodwind too, well captured by the recording. The Dance in the third movement is a joy and compares well with other famous recordings (Erich Kleiber, Klemperer, Toscanini et al). The phrasing is adroit and when the storm comes the impact is terrific. A beautiful contribution from flute and then horn shepherds in the delightful finale which is so typical of Bruno Walter’s style. This may not be a definitive “Pastoral” but it is a great performance and even those averse to old recordings should give this one a listen - Quite marvellous!
(David R Dunsmore)

Performers:
Columbia Symphony Orchestra conducted by Bruno Walter

Track Listing:

1. Beethoven: Symphony No.6 in F major, Op.68 - Allegro ma non troppo
2. Beethoven: Symphony No.6 in F major, Op.68 - Andante molto moto
3. Beethoven: Symphony No.6 in F major, Op.68 - Allegro, allegro, allegretto