Well, we Italians do have this detestable way of being among the best at anything we take seriously

[fpb]

I am listening to a 1940s recording of Beethoven's Leonore Ouverture no.3 conducted by Arturo Toscanini with his legendary NBC Symphony Orchestra. I just cannot describe how wonderful it is. In spite of limited and ancient mono recording technology, every strand of the music comes across with cristal clarity, all orchestral colours blaze forth in their elemental greatness, and every sound and effect calculated to lead up to the next stage with the most impressive energy and passion. It is the kind of performance that makes the blood race in your veins, that brings you up from your chair to cheer and applaud, that really brings home that what you are hearing is something of unique, transcendent importance, glory, and beauty. If anyone wants to argue that there ever was a greater conductor than Toscanini, they will have trouble convincing me.

The Ouverture has just finished. I am going to listen to it again.

Comments

[avus.livejournal.com]

Ah, it must be such a burden being Italian. So hard to maintain humility. But then, of course, w/ those gifts, perhaps even that becomes easy.

And Toscanini is, indeed, exciting. Back in the 1960's, one of my roommates -- a trumpet player, and a fairly good one -- used Toscanini's Beethoven recordings to prop up his bed. I started, therefore, with some reserve. But I find them very exciting, so alive! And if there's anything that Beethoven should be, it's alive!

I also confess, however, to whore after false gods. My favorite interpretation tends to be one I don't know, and one that will show me something new in a piece, especially a well-known piece. Though it's fun to go back, sometimes, to the tried & true.

Your enjoyment of Toscanini is well-merited, well-written, playfully belligerent and, as always, a delight to read.