Happy Day

Well for me anyway. I just discovered that the 1965 Decca István Kertész/ London Symphony Orchestra Bruckner Symphony 4 has been issued (for the first time AFAIK) on CD by Testament, SBT 1298. Liner notes at http://www.testament.uk.com/Notes/kertesznote2.html.

I'm grabbing it the minute I see it.

I don't think I've seen much comment on this recording around here (except for my own posts extolling this recording).

Frank Decolvenaere To reply by e-mail, replace NMBR with 1612.

'You are no bigger than the things that annoy you.' Jerry Bundsen

I have it. It's wonderful. Don't hesitate.

Tony Movshon

I learned this symphony from this particular recording and while the playing of the LSO is still great, I find that Kertesz reading hasn't stood the test of time for me. My understanding was that this was the first time he had ever conducted a Bruckner Symphony. While exciting, it lacks that certain mystery that others like Bohm, Furtwangler, Karajan, & Jochum brought to the work.

Happy day indeed!!

I think I have praised this recording previously as well, but in threads that may or may not have been closely related. I 'imprinted' on this recording, as it was the only LP of Bruckner that my parents owned, and it has remained my standard for Bruckner 4 ever since. Fantastic horn playing!! Some of the climaxes in the scherzo send shivers of joy down my back every time I hear the horns blaring through! Viscerally exciting, great stuff!

Thanks for the info

Barry Tuckwell on horn!

It's a different kind of Bruckner, not so much steeped in the Germanic realm, but Kertesz manages to find some freshness and even fun (in the same spirit of his Dvorak 8). The sound is top drawer, one of the best Decca recordings of that period.

Bingo. Ramon has expressed exactly what I like about this performance. And the sound is superb.

Tony Movshon

Could I make a small point please and one related to other posts.

In my opinion, the secret of great Dvorak and great Bruckner is letting the players 'breathe' and that is what Mr Kertesz was rather good at.

Kind regards, Alan M. Watkins