Beethoven - Symphonies 1-4 - Masur, Gewandhausorchester

Beethoven - Symphonies 1-4 - Masur, Gewandhausorchester
Symphonic | single flac, cue | log, cover | 2 CD, 615 MB
June 11, 1996 | Philips| RapidShare

"In sheer naturalness of utterance, unforced expressiveness and the superlatively disciplined response of the orchestral playing, the Gewandhaus set has a good deal to offer. The first two symphonies are attractively fresh, with the slow movement of the Second memorable. The Eroica is uncommonly fine, particularly in its nobly paced slow movement which is totally free of excessive emphasis in expression. In the Fourth Symphony Masur is particularly successful, and the Gewendhaus orchestra respond with marvellously alert playing. In the slow movement Masur brings great imagination and poetry to his reading; the homogenous, cultured orchestral sound of the Gewendhaus Orchestra and its rhythmic resilience and vitality are in themselves a sense of pleasure. ...the first set of these three Duos is certainly recommendable."--Penguin Guide

CD Content

# Symphony No. 1 in C major, Op. 21
Composed by Ludwig van Beethoven
Performed by Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra

# Symphony No. 3 in E flat major ("Eroica"), Op. 55
Composed by Ludwig van Beethoven
Performed by Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra

# Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 36
Composed by Ludwig van Beethoven
Performed by Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra

# Symphony No. 4 in B flat major, Op. 60
Composed by Ludwig van Beethoven
Performed by Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra

Masur, New York Philharmonic - Liszt, Kodaly - Mazeppa, Hary Janos Suite

Masur, New York Philharmonic - Liszt, Kodaly -
Mazeppa, Hary Janos Suite
Symphonic | Eac, Ape, cue | log, cover | 1 CD, 278 MB
January 9, 1996 | Elektra | RapidShare

Both the Liszt selections on this CD are played with great style and class. Masur also delivers the best Hary Janos Suite I have ever heard! Once you hear this suite performed by Masur and the NY Philharmonic, you won't want to own any other version. This CD has a great sound, a great orchestra, a great conductor, and a great performance!


There is no doubt in my mind that, with a few minor exceptions here and there (Shostakovich, Britten), that Kurt Masur's legacy with the New York Philharmonic will be, besides the introduction of new works by some contemporary composers, mainly his true strength and engagement in 19th century music classics. This is where I feel he and the orchestra are best, and feel most at home. The sound of the NYPO is better and more typical than ever on this CD, with a crispness and a majesty that has many times been somewhat lacking in emotionally perceivably 'cooler' 20 th century music.
Masur has always been convincing with his Liszt, and here he excells again with his almost 'stubborn' rythm, his chivalry and his unmatched 'teutonic' discipline leading to an easyness of style, passion and yes, elegance. The orchestra sounds like a well tuned machine and puts finally some coals and fire under its hood! And, of course: Kurt Masur - The towering knight, the last true romantic, of his generation at least.--Amazon



CD Content

# Mazeppa, symphonic poem for orchestra, S. 100 (LW G7)
Composed by Franz Liszt

# Mephisto Waltz, for orchestra No. 1 (Der Tanz in der Dorfschenke; Episoden No. 2), S. 110/2 (LW G16/2)
Composed by Franz Liszt

# Theatre Overture (Szinházi nyitány), for orchestra (originally for "Háry János")
Composed by Zoltan Kodaly

# Háry János, suite from the opera for orchestra
Composed by Zoltan Kodaly
with Myron Romanul

Brahms - Hungarian Dances - Masur, Gewandhausorchester

Brahms - Hungarian Dances - Masur, Gewandhausorchester
Orchestral | Eac, Ape, cue | log, cover | 1 CD, 218 MB
1983 | Philips | RapidShare

The Hungarian Dances (German: Ungarische Tänze) by Johannes Brahms (WoO 1), are a set of 21 lively dance tunes based mostly on Hungarian themes. Only numbers 11, 14 and 16 are entirely original compositions. In fact, number 5 was based on the csárdás by Kéler Béla titled "Bartfai emlek" which Brahms mistakenly thought was a traditional folksong. They vary from about a minute to four minutes in length. They are among Brahms' most popular works, and were certainly the most profitable for him. Each dance has been arranged for a wide variety of instruments and ensembles. Brahms originally wrote the version for piano four-hands and later arranged the first 10 dances for solo piano. The most famous Hungarian Dance is No. 5 in F♯ minor (G minor in the orchestral version).

Brahms wrote orchestral arrangements for No. 1, No. 3 and No. 10. Other composers, including Antonín Dvořák, orchestrated the other dances. These composers were Johan Andreas Hallén for No. 2, Paul Juon for No. 4, Martin Schmeling for Nos. 5 to 7, Hans Gál for Nos. 8 and 9, Albert Parlow for Nos. 11 to 16. Dvořák orchestrated the last numbers.

Brahms' Hungarian Dances were influential in the development of ragtime. See, for example, the role of German-American piano teacher Julius Weiss in ragtime composer Scott Joplin's early life and career.

CD Content

Gewandhausorchester Leipzig - The Hungarian Dances

01. No.1 in G minor [0:03:11.40]
02. No.2 in D minor [0:03:10.70]
03. No.3 in F [0:02:21.08]
04. No.4 in F sharp minor [0:04:42.32]
05. No.5 in G minor [0:02:46.50]
06. No.6 in D [0:03:29.55]
07. No.7 in F [0:01:43.05]
08. No.8 in A minor [0:03:47.48]
09. No.9 in E minor [0:02:13.67]
10. No.10 in F [0:01:40.38]
11. No.11 in D minor [0:02:55.15]
12. No.12 in D minor [0:02:30.07]
13. No.13 in D [0:01:36.60]
14. No.14 in D minor [0:01:22.25]
15. No.15 in B flat [0:02:54.53]
16. No.16 in F minor [0:02:23.70]
17. No.17 in F sharp minor [0:02:55.17]
18. No.18 in D [0:01:28.55]
19. No.19 in B minor [0:02:12.20]
20. No.20 in E minor [0:02:15.58]
21. No.21 in E minor [0:01:19.09]