Elgar - Enigma Variations; Lutoslawski - Concerto for Orchestra

At first glance the two works featured on this compilation have little in common-and on second and third glance too! The only common factor is the conductor and orchestra, and that in truth is the raison d'être for this compilation-an opportunity to hear the quality of this wonderful partnership whose output available in the West was and is minimal.If you ask the most knowledgeable collectors to name the most prominent German Conductors in the immediate post war period, very few if any will mention Rolf Kleinert, and yet he was a major figure in cultural life particularly in Berlin.The orchestra in question is the Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra of the pre-war era when it was led by Eugen Jochum among others, but which found itself located in East Berlin after the war and partition. It faced rivalry from the newly formed RIAS Orchestra led by Ferenc Fricsay, but under Hermann Abendroth until 1956 it retained personnel from East and West Zones.Upon Abendroth's death in 1956, Kleinert assumed temporary control, and was confirmed in the post in 1959.In 1961, he faced the crisis of the Berlin Wall which immediately lost the orchestra one third of its musicians, many of whom were recruited into the rival RIAS orchestra now being led by a " Young Turk" by the name of Lorin Maazel and was forced to rebuild the once crack band.He was fortunate in that music and culture were major propaganda weapons in the Cold War, and the DDR threw huge resources into its orchestras, and Kleinert quickly re-established it's pre-eminence.He held the post until 1971 when ill health forced his retirement.Here we have recordings from 1967and 1971-though in the superb re-mastering by Edel of Germany there is little difference in quality of sound-which is superb, totally belying the age of each performance.The 1961 Lutoslawski begins with rich deep, dark chords and continues to impress throughout, with the Passacaglia particularly well thought out. The playing is immaculate, every tempo is well judged and the detailing is first class.Even more impressive is the Elgar, an unlikely choice at the height of the Cold War, but given the most idiomatic and deeply felt performance that one could wish for.The detailing of the string playing, the richness of the brass, and the beauty of the woodwind-all are superb and superbly caught.Kleinert once again gives the lie to the nonsensical idea that only British artists can do true justice to Elgar-this can stand comparison interpretatively with the very best, as can the playing, and the recording is first rate if lacking just a little of the extra presence of the most modern.The airy acoustic allows just enough resonance to capture the truly glorious playing in the most sympathetic manner.This orchestra formed the nucleus of the Bayreuth Festival Orchestra throughout the sixties and seventies, and its qualities are apparent throughout this bargain priced disc.Notes are minimal-briefing about the pieces recorded-but otherwise the album presentation is very attractive.Those seeking either piece will be well satisfied with these performances and recordings, and the ineffably curious like me will be delighted to hear such glorious music making from this (thankfully in political terms!) bygone era and to discover the talents of a somewhat neglected artist!One rather sour aside-the playing is FAR superior to that of the orchestra in its current incarnation and under its current Musical Director! Highly recommended at its bargain price! Stewart Crowe.