Murray/Hollywood Bowl SO: "Viking!" (Grieg, Halvorsen, et al.) - Capitol P 8562

Jacket NM / LP NM

This outstanding LP – a handsome collector's copy – from Capitol (G 7108, US pressing, rainbow label, mono) entitled "Viking!" features conductor Earl Bernard Murray and the Hollywood Bowl Symphony Orchestra in a gorgeous – and quite impressive – program of music by Nordic composers, sumptuously recorded in demonstration quality sound in 1956.

The exact contents are as follows:

Johann Halvorsen: Entry of the Boyards

Christian Sinding: Rustle of spring

Arnas Järnefelt: Praeludium

Edvard Grieg: Morning, from Peery Gynt Suite No. 1

Edvard Grieg: Erotique, from Lyric Pieces Book III Op. 43 No. 5

Edvard Grieg: To Spring, from Lyric Pieces Book III Op. 43 No. 6

Edvard Grieg: In the Hall of the Mountain King, from Peer Gynt Suite No. 1

Edvard Grieg: Iche liebe dich, Op. 5 No. 3

Edvard Grieg: March of the dwarfs, from Lyric Suite Op. 54

Edvard Grieg: Nocturne, from Lyric Suite Op. 54

Edvard Grieg: The Last Spring, from Two Elegiac Melodies Op. 34 No. 2

Earl Bernard Murray is probably the least known of the Hollywood Bowl conductors, certainly less so than his counterparts Felix Slatkin, Alfred Newman, and Carmen Dragon, for example. However, the results he achieves are absolutely no less fine, the orchestra clearly responding to a charismatic and talented maestro. The sound is first rate in every respect.

There are engaging liner notes on the reverse side of the jacket by Ralph O'Connor, printed in English only. The remarkable cover art is uncredited, alas.