Posted by Chuck Jackson on March 13, 2004 at 09:47:46:
I had a chance to preview two of Hans Knapperstbusch conducting the Vienna Philharmonic from May of 1962 on DVD this week. They are REALLY GOOD. The first was a concert version of the Act I of Walkure. Great shots of the brass section, great horn playing and some very solid tuba playing. Only one shot of the tuba player, but it was worth it to see a true Contrabass tuba, a HUGE tuba that put out a lot of sound.
The second was a Beethoven/Wagner concert. A nicely paced Leonore 3 and 78 year old Wilhelm Backhaus tearing up Beethovens 4th Piano Concerto. Birgit Nilsson joins the band for The Prelude and Love Death from Tristan, replete with two great shots of the tuba player playing a little Dehmal Vienna F. Don't ever let the size fool you, those horns could put out some sound.
As both of these are live recordings, there are some flaws, particularly in the Wagner where the oboe and flute are really out of tune on the opening, but the music is astounding. These recordings are a nice window on the past to a very unique sound and interpretations. Peace.
Chuck