Access to the publicly broadcast Boston Symphony Orchestra concerts from this era has been extremely difficult, even for researchers. This series of DVDs will make these performances available for the first time since they were broadcast.

Charles Munch launched the BSO into television in 1955. He was an immensely popular conductor and well suited to being filmed. This material represents some of the earliest televised concerts with the Boston Symphony and Charles Munch, and has been restored using the greatest care and state-of-the-art techniques. It is of exceptional musical interest and rare historic value.

Munch was particularly fond of the Sir Hamilton Harty arrangement of Handel’s Water Music Suite, having performed it 53 times with the Boston Symphony Orchestra and having recorded it with the BSO for RCA in 1950. His interpretations of the two Mozart symphonies are characteristically lively and exhilarating, with the usual committed performances from the BSO.

Never commercially recorded by Munch, both Mozart symphonies are completely new to his discography.

The booklet note contains references to an  interview the writer conducted with Doriot Anthony Dwyer, the BSO’s principal flautist, who was appointed by Munch and remained in the position for 38 years. It gives a fascinating insight into Munch as a conductor and his interaction and relationship with the orchestra.

Two of ICA’s BSO DVDs featuring Charles Munch as conductor have been awarded the Diapason d’Or in France’s Diapason magazine.

Contents:
Handel/Harty
- Suite From Water Music
Sanders Theatre, Harvard University, 12 April 1960

Mozart
- Symphony No.36 ‘Linz’
Sanders Theatre, Harvard University, 8 April 1958
- Symphony No.38 ‘Prague’
Sanders Theatre, Harvard University, 3 November 1959

Sound format: Enhanced Mono
Picture format: 4:3
Running time: 62’
Subtitles: n/a
Menu languages: English
Booklet languages: E/F/G
Region code: 0
Territory Restrictions: None