Szenkar: Mahler Symphony No. 3 + Beethoven No. 5 - Archiphon ARC-136/38 (3CD set) (sealed)

MINT / made in the EU (sealed)



This fascinating MINT condition 3CD set - a still-sealed copy - from Archiphon (ARC-136/38, manufactured in Germany, ADD mono, total playing times detailed below) features what is undoubtedly the finest portrait of conductor Eugen Szenkar, not forgetting a superb Tahra CD of Szenkar conducting Berlioz's Symphonie Fantastique Op. 14. Here, the Hungarian maestro is heard in two previously unreleased Mahler performances as well as in Beethoven.

Szenkar (1891-1977) was a remarkable musican and one of the unsung Mahler pioneers of the last century. His commercial recordings are not many, but all are distinguished.

Included here are the following works/performances:

Disc 1 (53:21)

Mahler: Symphony No. 3 in D minor (Mvts 1-3)

Eugen Szenkar conducting the Cologne Radio Symphony Orchestra

Disc 2 (68:36)

Mahler: Symphony No. 3 in D minor (continued: Mvts 4-6)

Eugen Szenkar conducting the Cologne Radio Symphony Orchestra, with alto Diana Eustrati, the Women of the Cologne Radio Chorus (Dir: Bernhard Zimmermann), and Childrens Chorus (Dir: Egon Kraus) – rec. 'live' in the Grosser Sendesaal, Cologne on 2 March 1951

Beethoven: Symphony No. 5 in C minor Op. 67

Eugen Szenkar conducting the Orchester der Staatsoper Berlin – rec. in Berlin on 15/16 June 1928

Disc 3 (59:57)

Mahler: Symphony No. 4 in G Major

Eugen Szenkar conducting the Dusseldorf State Symphony Orchestra, with soprano Christiane Sorell – rec. 'live' at the Robert-Schumann-Saal, Dusseldorf on 13 May 1960

Archiphon's presentation is everything one could wish for – extensive notes on the music and conductor (all texts in German and English), rare archival photos, and meticulously researched discographic information – a major addition to the Mahler discography.