Artur Rodziński — Complete Chicago Symphony Recordings (2-CD)

On October 9, 1947, Artur Rodziński led his inaugural concert as the fourth music director of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Three months later, the ensemble’s board of directors announced that he would not be re-engaged for the following season due to disputes over cost and artistic control. His single season, however, was a marked success with both critics and audiences and resulted in a handful of memorable recordings. This release assembles these historical recordings on a single release for the first time, and adds the not inconsequential bonus of his complete recordings for the Remington Label.

Each recording was carefully restored by Mark Obert-Thorn in close association with Nathan Brown, Frederick P. Fellers and Charles Niss.

Wagner Tristan und Isolde, “Prelude und Liebestod”
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
December 1947, Orchestra Hall, Chicago

Wagner Tristan und Isolde, Prelude to Act III
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
November 1947, Orchestra Hall, Chicago

Strauss Also sprach Zarathustra, Op. 30
John Weicher violin
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
November-December 1947, Orchestra Hall, Chicago

Khachaturian Gayane, Ballet Music, Suite No. 1
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
November-December 1947, Orchestra Hall, Chicago

Mendelssohn Symphony No. 3 in A Minor, Op. 58 (Scottish)
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
November-December 1947, Orchestra Hall, Chicago

Beethoven Symphony No. 1 in C Major, Op. 21
Tonkunstler Orchestra
March 1952, Schubert Hall, Vienna

Beethoven Leonore Overture No. 3, Op. 72b
Tonkunstler Orchestra
March 1952, Schubert Hall, Vienna

Discs: 2
Record Label: Pristine Audio
Release Year: 2019