Our great friend on YouTube, goodmanmusica has posted (I think some, or maybe all) of the audio from Toscanini's final rehearsal, and all the strength and vigor is still there, just in a more tired way.
Edit: I spoke too soon...this is not footage from Toscanini's last April 1954 concert, but from (as the video clearly shows, but I rather dumbly glossed over it) his almost exact all-Wagner televised program from 1948. Toscanini may have been old (87 at his retirement in 1954) but he certainly did not die until 3 years later just shy of 90.
Edit: I spoke too soon...this is not footage from Toscanini's last April 1954 concert, but from (as the video clearly shows, but I rather dumbly glossed over it) his almost exact all-Wagner televised program from 1948. Toscanini may have been old (87 at his retirement in 1954) but he certainly did not die until 3 years later just shy of 90.
Edit: I spoke too soon...this is not footage from Toscanini's last April 1954 concert, but from (as the video clearly shows, but I rather dumbly glossed over it) his almost exact all-Wagner televised program from 1948. Toscanini may have been old (87 at his retirement in 1954) but he certainly did not die until 3 years later just shy of 90.
Although this is terrific, I much prefer a faster, fire-catching speed for the final part of the Overture, where the strings ought to be played with more speed and energy. I realize that Toscanini was near death at this time when he conducted for the NBC Orchestra, so I can understand why he would conduct without as much energy as when he was younger. Even as such, this is still an incredible performance.
I hear this is where Toscanini suffers a memory lapse - in this recording. Of course, we have no idea of knowing When it occurred. But it seems like around the 3 1/2, 4 minute mark, something happens and seems to last a few minutes.
@SteveAndrewLangford I have just read that it was NOT during Tannhauser, but by the piece that followed this, and the last public performance of Toscanini's, the Prelude to Meistersinger, if I remember correctly.
I like this so much better than the Karajan version. Granted the orchestra is smaller, but Toscanini really doesn't rush any section at any moment-everyone is granted the time amount needed to make their instruments the best. There is also a real order to how every moment plays out from start to finish . He really has control of it, and ot all just comes together perfectly
Is this the same performance as the RCA Red Seal recording? I've always thought that the 1948 RCA Toscanni Tannhauser was the single finest record that was ever made.
This is the most 'alive' rendition of the overture I have heard, worthy of an essay I would call "Elizabeth in Strings". Unfortunately some would think "Alice in Chains", from the speech assigned to her in the opera. Toscannini's interpretation gives much more force of characte to both Elizabeth and Tannhauser, while taking absolutely noting from the quiet and scorching contrasts between steadfastness and pride. I must see if there is a Bernstein edition somewhere - this IS music. My thanks..
Notice the way he holds the line through from start to finish without equivocation, a hallmark of all his performances. Toscannini wasn' t just a man, he was also force of nature.
l.cada maestro tiene su estilo...karajan y Toscanini...,toscanini..nos brinda otro sentimiento..otro matiz..atra forma de tocar a la misma mujer...si tocarla con las manos o tocarla con los labios...
ESTOY VERDADERAMENTE EMOCIONADO DE LA EXCELENTE E IMPECABLE CONDUCCION DEL GRAN MAESTRO TOSCANNINI DE WAGNER, SIN PARTITURA, DE LA "OVERTURA TANNHAUSER" Y DE OTRAS GRANDES COMPOSICIONES MUSICALES, MUY DIFICILES DE CONDUCIR DE WAGNER. GLORIA A LOS DOS GRANDES MAESTROS ! (Arnold Scheurmann)
Furthermore, some conjecture that the Antogonist in Meistersinger, Beckmesser is characterised after the music Critc & Brahmsian Eduard Hanslick. Music historians have so much as published that Wagner's Character Beckmesser was originally named "Hanslick". Now as to the quality of this telecast. For the year 1948 the mono (glorious Mono!) Audio is LP record quality.Composer Don Gillis was the recording engineer, and gives the orch. a very bright and shimmering sound. NBC was part of RCA.
Regardless of the listener's personal preferences in music, or interpretation, or conductor or orchestra, the music is the thing, and it is very beautiful and moving, and Toscanini obviously loved it and the orchestra plays beautifully. Is anyone familiar with the stunning 1932 Columbia recording by Mengelberg and the COA? Brilliant brass with amazing acoustics.
At 3:34, piano, piano he says. Today it would be impossible to frown like that with musicians, but now we can understand where orchestral discipline comes from. Machiavelli would have loved it.
We must remember that Wagner centered his compositions around Opera or Music Drama. For the most part his themes had to do with Christian belief. with exception of Die Vampyr, andTristan and the Ring. His early "thema" revolves around Christian beliefs. Rienzi, Lohengrin, Tannhaueser, (Flying Dutchman (Mythology...)Parsifal, The ring revolves around Germanic Mythology
Meistersinger has nothing to do with Christian themes, unless you want to argue that living in Germany after Lutheran qualifies. I think you're reaching.
For the Most Part... :-) Meistersinger has to do in part w/musicalnship, and an ongoing Struggle, and the underlying rivalry between the proponents of the musical philosophies of J. Brahms extending to G. Mahler and predesessers Robt. & Clara Shumann. (C. Shumann a gifted composer in her own right.) Outliving Robt..vs the Philosphies of R. Wagner & followers Anton Bruckner, Franz Liszt, Richard Strauss, some think as late as Arnold Schoenberg. w/Theories on Poly Rhythms & multi-tonality.
Franz Liszt wasn't a follower of Wagner, but it was the other way around. After all Wagner had to do with Cosima, the daughter of Lizt , and thereby probably got himselves towards somewhat of the precious know how of Liszt.
Si potrebbe anche dire, che talune interpretazioni di Toscanini, non siano tra le migliori; ma come gestualità nel dirigere... Secondo me, era e forse lo rimarrà sempre, impareggiabile.
Condivido la tua opinione ma se Toscanini era bravo nell'itrpretare la musica tedesca e superlativo in quella Italiana non solo in Verdi ma bravissimo in Respighi e anche in Debussy per Furwangler questo era un tabù .
do u not like this? i think this is rly delicate and a nice variation on such harsh common renditions of wagner's stuff. would be nice to hear wagner's pieces being played even earlier to this.
What we get here is a perfect example of what Toscanini does best; namely exceptional clarity.
I still don't think this recording stands up as well as the Karajan from 1975 as an emotional overwhelming-ness. But as a way into Wagner for the beginner and as an example of what all the individual parts are trying to put across (cf his Beethoven recordings) then these are still second to none.
Suoerb inner rhythm, incandescent concentration, exciting forward motion, but... it doesn't sound like Wagner, more like Verdi. Too many subdivided beats and downward motions. My admiration for Toscanini is second to none in the right repertoire. Check out Furtwangler, Karajan, Walter, and Klemperer in this music; Walter's stereo recording is one of the greatest things on disc.
Well, i don't totally agree with what you say. For example, at 4:57, the way how Toscanini directs make the strings sound clear as i've never heard untill that version. The "rythmic dialogue" between the strings and the melody to the horns is heard. Every where else in other versions - even, i agree, if it sounds more "german"(but is it really sounding more german?..)- it's a mess. Here i can feel the pulse, and the climax untill the end is wonderful.
Our great friend on YouTube, goodmanmusica has posted (I think some, or maybe all) of the audio from Toscanini's final rehearsal, and all the strength and vigor is still there, just in a more tired way.
SteveAndrewLangford 2 months ago
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Edit: I spoke too soon...this is not footage from Toscanini's last April 1954 concert, but from (as the video clearly shows, but I rather dumbly glossed over it) his almost exact all-Wagner televised program from 1948. Toscanini may have been old (87 at his retirement in 1954) but he certainly did not die until 3 years later just shy of 90.
SteveAndrewLangford 2 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Edit: I spoke too soon...this is not footage from Toscanini's last April 1954 concert, but from (as the video clearly shows, but I rather dumbly glossed over it) his almost exact all-Wagner televised program from 1948. Toscanini may have been old (87 at his retirement in 1954) but he certainly did not die until 3 years later just shy of 90.
SteveAndrewLangford 2 months ago
Edit: I spoke too soon...this is not footage from Toscanini's last April 1954 concert, but from (as the video clearly shows, but I rather dumbly glossed over it) his almost exact all-Wagner televised program from 1948. Toscanini may have been old (87 at his retirement in 1954) but he certainly did not die until 3 years later just shy of 90.
SteveAndrewLangford 2 months ago
Splendida esecuzione!
Fasolt100 3 months ago
3:32 piano, piano, PRICELESS!
gabiiiuuu 4 months ago
Mama mia, che bravo!!!!!!!!! É un Tannhauser veramente difficile da superare....
jorgeuribeclar 7 months ago 2
Although this is terrific, I much prefer a faster, fire-catching speed for the final part of the Overture, where the strings ought to be played with more speed and energy. I realize that Toscanini was near death at this time when he conducted for the NBC Orchestra, so I can understand why he would conduct without as much energy as when he was younger. Even as such, this is still an incredible performance.
OperaMystery80 10 months ago
Aveva un un gesto molto "aristocratico" nel dirigere. Grande Toscanini.
atrebil71 1 year ago
Grande !!!
56LEBON1 1 year ago
I like how the two cellists look at each other at 4:25 and then smile.
aurisnoctis 1 year ago 3
thank you so much for posting. regards, PF Sydney Australia
horationelson57 1 year ago
I hear this is where Toscanini suffers a memory lapse - in this recording. Of course, we have no idea of knowing When it occurred. But it seems like around the 3 1/2, 4 minute mark, something happens and seems to last a few minutes.
SteveAndrewLangford 1 year ago
@SteveAndrewLangford Or rather a few seconds.
SteveAndrewLangford 1 year ago
@SteveAndrewLangford I have just read that it was NOT during Tannhauser, but by the piece that followed this, and the last public performance of Toscanini's, the Prelude to Meistersinger, if I remember correctly.
SteveAndrewLangford 11 months ago
I think this was in the mid fifties, not late forties. Maybe 1955?
SteveAndrewLangford 1 year ago
@SteveAndrewLangford edit: 1954
SteveAndrewLangford 1 year ago
...matchless perfection.....these notes can be played, but never like this again.....fate let them be recorded.......
valdengo1 1 year ago
Großartig - kraftvoll - einfach Toscanini!
2111velvet 1 year ago
Finale incredibile. Grande Maestro!
Matteo7419 1 year ago
Comment removed
giovanni2battista 1 year ago
@giovanni2battista : Yes.
3NUNS 1 year ago
I like this so much better than the Karajan version. Granted the orchestra is smaller, but Toscanini really doesn't rush any section at any moment-everyone is granted the time amount needed to make their instruments the best. There is also a real order to how every moment plays out from start to finish . He really has control of it, and ot all just comes together perfectly
douglemberg 2 years ago 3
@douglemberg Realy? How much smaller was the NBC Orchestra? I thought it was 'normal' sized.
SteveAndrewLangford 1 year ago
Simply the best
kendollheart 2 years ago
Is this the same performance as the RCA Red Seal recording? I've always thought that the 1948 RCA Toscanni Tannhauser was the single finest record that was ever made.
bjrosen 2 years ago
This is the most 'alive' rendition of the overture I have heard, worthy of an essay I would call "Elizabeth in Strings". Unfortunately some would think "Alice in Chains", from the speech assigned to her in the opera. Toscannini's interpretation gives much more force of characte to both Elizabeth and Tannhauser, while taking absolutely noting from the quiet and scorching contrasts between steadfastness and pride. I must see if there is a Bernstein edition somewhere - this IS music. My thanks..
VolkgartenBySquirrel 2 years ago 2
Notice the way he holds the line through from start to finish without equivocation, a hallmark of all his performances. Toscannini wasn' t just a man, he was also force of nature.
MartinPadderborn 2 years ago
l.cada maestro tiene su estilo...karajan y Toscanini...,toscanini..nos brinda otro sentimiento..otro matiz..atra forma de tocar a la misma mujer...si tocarla con las manos o tocarla con los labios...
alfredocx 2 years ago
The pulsation is always crystal clear, but I love the way there's enough space between the beats to allow the musicians to play all their notes.
The music is not stifled, he lets it breathe.
1401JSC 2 years ago 2
good observation
3NUNS 2 years ago
ESTOY VERDADERAMENTE EMOCIONADO DE LA EXCELENTE E IMPECABLE CONDUCCION DEL GRAN MAESTRO TOSCANNINI DE WAGNER, SIN PARTITURA, DE LA "OVERTURA TANNHAUSER" Y DE OTRAS GRANDES COMPOSICIONES MUSICALES, MUY DIFICILES DE CONDUCIR DE WAGNER. GLORIA A LOS DOS GRANDES MAESTROS ! (Arnold Scheurmann)
asp1873590 2 years ago
Furthermore, some conjecture that the Antogonist in Meistersinger, Beckmesser is characterised after the music Critc & Brahmsian Eduard Hanslick. Music historians have so much as published that Wagner's Character Beckmesser was originally named "Hanslick". Now as to the quality of this telecast. For the year 1948 the mono (glorious Mono!) Audio is LP record quality.Composer Don Gillis was the recording engineer, and gives the orch. a very bright and shimmering sound. NBC was part of RCA.
78timothy 2 years ago
Just sublime!
r22k10 3 years ago
Regardless of the listener's personal preferences in music, or interpretation, or conductor or orchestra, the music is the thing, and it is very beautiful and moving, and Toscanini obviously loved it and the orchestra plays beautifully. Is anyone familiar with the stunning 1932 Columbia recording by Mengelberg and the COA? Brilliant brass with amazing acoustics.
wetland1955 3 years ago
At 3:34, piano, piano he says. Today it would be impossible to frown like that with musicians, but now we can understand where orchestral discipline comes from. Machiavelli would have loved it.
DaddyofT 3 years ago
We must remember that Wagner centered his compositions around Opera or Music Drama. For the most part his themes had to do with Christian belief. with exception of Die Vampyr, andTristan and the Ring. His early "thema" revolves around Christian beliefs. Rienzi, Lohengrin, Tannhaueser, (Flying Dutchman (Mythology...)Parsifal, The ring revolves around Germanic Mythology
78timothy 3 years ago
Meistersinger has nothing to do with Christian themes, unless you want to argue that living in Germany after Lutheran qualifies. I think you're reaching.
aaronginn 2 years ago
For the Most Part... :-) Meistersinger has to do in part w/musicalnship, and an ongoing Struggle, and the underlying rivalry between the proponents of the musical philosophies of J. Brahms extending to G. Mahler and predesessers Robt. & Clara Shumann. (C. Shumann a gifted composer in her own right.) Outliving Robt..vs the Philosphies of R. Wagner & followers Anton Bruckner, Franz Liszt, Richard Strauss, some think as late as Arnold Schoenberg. w/Theories on Poly Rhythms & multi-tonality.
78timothy 2 years ago
Franz Liszt wasn't a follower of Wagner, but it was the other way around. After all Wagner had to do with Cosima, the daughter of Lizt , and thereby probably got himselves towards somewhat of the precious know how of Liszt.
chiefthegreat 2 years ago
Si potrebbe anche dire, che talune interpretazioni di Toscanini, non siano tra le migliori; ma come gestualità nel dirigere... Secondo me, era e forse lo rimarrà sempre, impareggiabile.
alcibiadel 3 years ago
toscanini per la musica italiana .... furwangler per la musica tedesca ...... von karaian non è per me .....
kuangsu 3 years ago
Condivido la tua opinione ma se Toscanini era bravo nell'itrpretare la musica tedesca e superlativo in quella Italiana non solo in Verdi ma bravissimo in Respighi e anche in Debussy per Furwangler questo era un tabù .
costanza1947 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
an Italian conducting a German opera..that's the problem..probably karajan would have done it better
alviss8990 3 years ago
toscanini didn't understand wagner well , sorry ,although he was strict and diligent conductor.
theoryeverything 3 years ago
do u not like this? i think this is rly delicate and a nice variation on such harsh common renditions of wagner's stuff. would be nice to hear wagner's pieces being played even earlier to this.
jerzkid87 3 years ago
I Think Toscanini is great more than furtwangler or german director etc...
zuckerkrank 3 years ago 3
wow, that is one well drilled orchestra
mkeysou812 3 years ago
What we get here is a perfect example of what Toscanini does best; namely exceptional clarity.
I still don't think this recording stands up as well as the Karajan from 1975 as an emotional overwhelming-ness. But as a way into Wagner for the beginner and as an example of what all the individual parts are trying to put across (cf his Beethoven recordings) then these are still second to none.
A bit much of the Toscanini forefinger tho'.
muscateer23 4 years ago 2
Suoerb inner rhythm, incandescent concentration, exciting forward motion, but... it doesn't sound like Wagner, more like Verdi. Too many subdivided beats and downward motions. My admiration for Toscanini is second to none in the right repertoire. Check out Furtwangler, Karajan, Walter, and Klemperer in this music; Walter's stereo recording is one of the greatest things on disc.
billyguns2 4 years ago
Well, i don't totally agree with what you say. For example, at 4:57, the way how Toscanini directs make the strings sound clear as i've never heard untill that version. The "rythmic dialogue" between the strings and the melody to the horns is heard. Every where else in other versions - even, i agree, if it sounds more "german"(but is it really sounding more german?..)- it's a mess. Here i can feel the pulse, and the climax untill the end is wonderful.
lhiram23 4 years ago 3