An exalted ‘Eroica’ and a paramount ‘Pathétique’ are included in this showcase of Symphonies in performances that dot the Is – individual and illuminating yet integral to the score – the Beethoven strong and vital yet dignified, the Tchaikovsky of astonishing emotional intensity, thrilling and transcendental, the companion No.5 equally compelling. Of the Bruckner threesome – 5, 7 & 9 – the Fifth is powerful and volatile, and includes some of Schalk’s scoring additions (as documented by Knappertsbusch in Vienna for Decca), not a big deal in the context of a gripping rendition; a lyrically generous Seventh; and a virile Ninth that demonstrates the composer looking forward in terms of musical adventurousness if grimly realistic about leave-taking in the Adagio, a turn transitioned to by a sniping Scherzo and (as it should be) a faster, edgy Trio. Also included is Matačić’s selection from Götterdämmerung, excluding ‘Siegfried’s Funeral Music’, if panoramic, and The Story of the Flutes by Oldřich František Korte (1926-2014), eighteen minutes of vivid storytelling, stylistically reminding of Roussel and Martinů.
This set overflows with great conducting and playing – inspirational music-making – documenting an indivisible rapport between maestro and musicians that suggests each session found the Czech Phil members wanting nothing more than to play these pieces with this conductor and giving its collective all and then some, doing so with much character and utterly distinctive and wonderful timbres that are now the preserve of these priceless recordings themselves superbly remastered to sound fresh, tangible and glorious. Supraphon SU 4354-2 (6 CDs).
https://www.supraphon.com/articles/566-in-memoriam-maestro-lovro-von-matacic
Wagner, a longer selection; NHK; December 4, 1975…