Arturo Toscanini Hymn of the Nations 1

Just read a biography of Toscanini. He must
have been about 75 when this film was made.

The composers he admired most were
Verdi and Wagner.

Tx 4 posting

Me encanta toscanini. Personalmente, el que más me gusta. Sus versiones son siempre distintas e inesperadas.

Il mondo grondava di sangue nel 1943, e Toscanini volle ridestare le coscienze proponendo questa esecuzione, magnifica ed unica per il momento storico.

What a magnificent tenor Peerce was! This is so musical, so elegant and emotionally powerful. It's no wonder Toscanini held him in such high regard. This is one of the great tenor voices of the 20th century, and a superbly musical singer.

Toscanini, like Disney, was brilliant but could not share the marquee with anyone. He didn't write this, he didn't sing it, and he didn't play a note. Yes, he was key to a great performance, but let's credit Verdi for the song, not the stick waver at the front of the musicians...

As a cellist in the orchestra playing in the world premiere of Otello in 1887, conducted by Maestro Verdi himself, I reckon Maestro Toscanini would be four parts of a three part idiot if he didn't learn from the composer as a 20 year old. It has been said that when Toscanini conducted anything by Verdi, it was from memory from when Verdi conducted, when Toscanini was in the pit.

Actually, gaytenor is completely inaccurate. To quote the Oxford dicitionary of Opera:
"The Cantica or Inno delle nazioni was Verdi's contribution to the musical jubilee at London's Great Exhibition of 1862, sponsored by Queen Victoria, for which Verdi had been asked to represent the new nation of Italy. The composer [included] the national anthems of England ("God Save the Queen") and France.

Verdi didn't write the work for Toscanini he wrote it for St. Petersburg in the 1860's and it was tailored to the vocal skills of the ruling tenore di forza, Enrico Tamberlick, when Vickers sang the piece it was transposed down for him but Peerce needed no such adjustment. I believe that Pavarotti sang the piece, like Peerce, as written. I assume that he also recorded it.

He also sings yiddish folk songs, very moving. I love his version of raisins & almonds.

jewishpavarotti: What about Dudele? Name the yiddish song and Peerce will have the classic version. Jan Peerce sings Hebrew Melodies is one of the great records with Peerce in great form. I can also recommend Peerce on 2nd avenue where Peerce is in stunningly good voice singing hit tunes from the yiddish musicals.