Berliner Philharmoniker, Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin, Ferenc Fricsay – Dvořák: Symphony No. 9; Smetana: Vltava; Kodály: Hary Janos Suite (2020) [SACD / Tower Universal Vintage – PROC-2267]
Title: Berliner Philharmoniker, Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin, Ferenc Fricsay – Dvořák: Symphony No. 9; Smetana: Vltava; Kodály: Hary Janos Suite (1959-1961/2020)
Genre: Classical
Format: SACD ISO
Furichai’s iconic masterpiece. Overwhelming with its fierce intensity, “New World” and others are newly mastered from the original analog master tapes in Germany for the world’s first SA-CD release! Superb recording. Newly mastered in Germany from the original analog master tapes. This golden combination album pairs Furtwängler’s definitive DG recording of the “New World Symphony” with his equally masterful “Moldau,” also conducted with the Berlin Philharmonic, and Kodály’s “János Károlyi Suite,” one of the composer’s major works which Furtwängler championed with extraordinary passion throughout his life, alongside Bartók. The 1959 recording of the “New World” Symphony showcases the Berlin Philharmonic’s formidable power with its low center of gravity, combined with Furtwängler’s exceptional sense of tempo and masterful transitions. Beyond just this recording, one feels the tremendous intensity poured into the performance. It is a compelling interpretation that stands out among the many recordings, and even 60 years after its release, it remains a masterpiece worthy of the forefront. The Moldau begins at a brisk tempo, with the middle section offering a sense of liberation rich with lingering resonance and a flowing tempo that is truly outstanding. As seen in rehearsal footage, the meticulous direction and the orchestra’s ability to respond to it make this a rare masterpiece. While this piece is often performed separately and many recordings exist, this performance is also one that captures the essence of Fricsay. Furthermore, Kodály’s representative orchestral work, the suite “Háry János,” is nothing short of definitive in this recording. Though made just seven years after the first recording in 1954, this re-recording—despite the difference between stereo and mono—paints Kodály’s world with even greater intensity. His approach to music, emphasizing universal musicality over excessive nationalism, undoubtedly results in performances that satisfy many listeners. Moreover, this recording was made just two months before Fricsay abandoned his conducting career, making it one of his final recordings, a fact that lends it profound significance.
The DG recordings from that era possess a robust, almost rugged thickness with a solid foundation. Yet, thanks to high-resolution remastering, the soundstage has become sharper and the ambient sound richer, allowing one to feel the atmosphere and passion of that time. As these are highly regarded, important recordings, both the “New World” and “Moldau” were previously released on Blu-ray Audio. However, this time they have been remastered from the original analog master tapes in the country of origin, digitally converted to 192kHz/24bit, and given the latest mastering, allowing for an even more detailed sound. Furthermore, the recording technology for the “Hary János” suite had advanced even further, achieving a quality that holds up remarkably well even when listened to today. For this reissue, we traced back to the original analog master tapes from the country of origin and performed high-quality digitization. Using the highest-grade flat master tape, not just for this release, has yielded an exceptionally strong presence. Texture and spatial positioning have become astonishingly clear and distinct, combined with the benefits of DSD conversion to reproduce unprecedentedly superb sound quality. For this release, the original analog master tapes from the country of origin underwent physical maintenance and restoration before being digitized at high resolution (192/24 PCM). Mastering was then meticulously performed over an extended period at Berlin’s Emil Berliner Studios by the label’s dedicated engineer, following a detailed process specifically for this series. The SA-CD layer delivers the high-definition master sound. The CD layer also features the latest digitization and mastering, setting it apart from the sound quality of previous releases. This series adopts the original jacket design and includes a new introductory essay by Kotaro Yamazaki. This 21st installment of the “Vintage SA-CD Collection” will release a total of three titles.