Posted by Jay Bertolet on July 30, 2003 at 21:06:34:
In Reply to: Re: Re: Re: Re: hidemith & vw posted by Chuck Jackson on July 30, 2003 at 11:25:38:
If there is a fascinating reason for the tempi, Mr. Torchinsky never told me the specifics. He did say that he and Gould had spoken and Gould indicated the tempi he thought were appropriate. Mr. Torchinsky told me that he respected Gould enough to not question those judgments at all. I think the recording speaks for itself as to the merit of those decisions.
The interesting story with this recording, at least where the Tuba Sonata is concerned, is that Mr. Torchinsky had to play that recording with a false tooth. If I recall correctly, he had an accident and lost a tooth only a week or two before the session. I wouldn't want to record under those circumstances! Especially a landmark compilation of the brass Sonatas of Hindemith which includes the playing of Gil Johnson, Henry Charles Smith, and Mason Jones. Can you imagine?
My opinion for what it's worth...