Experience the legendary Pierre Monteux in his prime with this extraordinary collection of live performances from his tenure with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Recorded between 1953 and 1957, these previously unissued tracks offer a unique glimpse into Monteux's masterful conducting and the orchestra's virtuosity. With a duration of over five hours, this album is a treasure trove for classical music enthusiasts, featuring a diverse range of compositions from some of the most celebrated composers in history.
The album kicks off with Felix Mendelssohn's evocative "The Hebrides" and "Fingal's Cave," followed by Franz Joseph Haydn's Symphony No. 94, known as the "Surprise Symphony." The program continues with Franz Schubert's monumental Symphony No. 9, the "Great," and Ludwig van Beethoven's Symphony No. 5, showcasing Monteux's versatility and the orchestra's technical prowess. The album also includes works by Johannes Brahms, Igor Stravinsky, and Sergei Prokofiev, among others, providing a rich and varied listening experience.
Pierre Monteux, born in France, was a renowned conductor known for his precision and musicality. After a successful career in Europe, he moved to the United States, where he became the permanent conductor of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and later the San Francisco Symphony. This album captures Monteux's distinctive style and his ability to bring out the best in the musicians he conducted.
The album is a testament to Monteux's enduring legacy and the Boston Symphony Orchestra's exceptional artistry. Whether you're a seasoned classical music fan or a newcomer to the genre, this collection is sure to impress with its high-quality recordings and masterful performances.
2011 West Hill Radio Archives2011 West Hill Radio Archives
Tracks
The Hebrides, Op. 26, "Fingal's Cave"Felix Mendelssohn, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Pierre Monteux
Symphony No. 94 in G Major, Hob.I:94, "The Surprise": I. Adagio cantabile - Vivace assaiJoseph Haydn, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Pierre Monteux
Symphony No. 94 in G Major, Hob.I:94, "The Surprise": II. AndanteJoseph Haydn, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Pierre Monteux
Symphony No. 94 in G Major, Hob.I:94, "The Surprise": III. Menuetto - Trio - Allegretto moltoJoseph Haydn, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Pierre Monteux
Symphony No. 94 in G Major, Hob.I:94, "The Surprise": IV. Finale: Allegro di moltoJoseph Haydn, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Pierre Monteux
Symphony No. 9 in C Major, D. 944, "Great": I. Andante - Allegro ma non troppoFranz Schubert, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Pierre Monteux
Symphony No. 9 in C Major, D. 944, "Great": II. Andante con motoFranz Schubert, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Pierre Monteux
Symphony No. 9 in C Major, D. 944, "Great": III. Scherzo: Allegro vivaceFranz Schubert, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Pierre Monteux
Symphony No. 9 in C Major, D. 944, "Great": IV. Finale: Allegro vivaceFranz Schubert, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Pierre Monteux
Symphony No. 3 in E-Flat Major, Op. 97, "Rhenish": I. LebhaftRobert Schumann, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Pierre Monteux
Symphony No. 3 in E-Flat Major, Op. 97, "Rhenish": II. Scherzo: Sehr massigRobert Schumann, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Pierre Monteux
Symphony No. 3 in E-Flat Major, Op. 97, "Rhenish": III. Nicht schnellRobert Schumann, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Pierre Monteux
Symphony No. 3 in E-Flat Major, Op. 97, "Rhenish": IV. FeierlichRobert Schumann, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Pierre Monteux
Symphony No. 3 in E-Flat Major, Op. 97, "Rhenish": V. LebhaftRobert Schumann, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Pierre Monteux
Symphony No. 5 in E Minor, Op. 64: I. Andante - Allegro con animaPyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Pierre Monteux
Symphony No. 5 in E Minor, Op. 64: II. Andante cantabile con alcuna licenzaPyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Pierre Monteux
Symphony No. 5 in E Minor, Op. 64: III. Valse: Allegro moderatoPyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Pierre Monteux
Symphony No. 5 in E Minor, Op. 64: IV. Finale: Andante maestoso - Allegro vivacePyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Pierre Monteux
Variations on an Original Theme, Op. 36, "Enigma"Edward Elgar, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Pierre Monteux
Le sacre du printemps (The Rite of Spring): Part I: Adoration of the Earth: IntroductionIgor Stravinsky, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Pierre Monteux
Le sacre du printemps (The Rite of Spring): Part I: Adoration of the Earth: Dances of the Young GirlsIgor Stravinsky, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Pierre Monteux
Le sacre du printemps (The Rite of Spring): Part I: Adoration of the Earth: Ritual of AbductionIgor Stravinsky, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Pierre Monteux
Le sacre du printemps (The Rite of Spring): Part I: Adoration of the Earth: Spring RoundsIgor Stravinsky, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Pierre Monteux
Le sacre du printemps (The Rite of Spring): Part I: Adoration of the Earth: Ritual of the River TribesIgor Stravinsky, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Pierre Monteux
Le sacre du printemps (The Rite of Spring): Part I: Adoration of the Earth: Procession of the SageIgor Stravinsky, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Pierre Monteux
Le sacre du printemps (The Rite of Spring): Part I: Adoration of the Earth: The SageIgor Stravinsky, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Pierre Monteux
Le sacre du printemps (The Rite of Spring): Part I: Adoration of the Earth: Dance of the EarthIgor Stravinsky, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Pierre Monteux
Le sacre du printemps (The Rite of Spring): Part II: The Sacrifice: IntroductionIgor Stravinsky, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Pierre Monteux
Le sacre du printemps (The Rite of Spring): Part II: The Sacrifice: Mystic Circles of the Young GirlsIgor Stravinsky, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Pierre Monteux
Le sacre du printemps (The Rite of Spring): Part II: The Sacrifice: Glorification of the Chosen OneIgor Stravinsky, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Pierre Monteux
Le sacre du printemps (The Rite of Spring): Part II: The Sacrifice: Evocation of the AncestorsIgor Stravinsky, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Pierre Monteux
Le sacre du printemps (The Rite of Spring): Part II: The Sacrifice: Ritual Action of the AncestorsIgor Stravinsky, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Pierre Monteux
Le sacre du printemps (The Rite of Spring): Part II: The Sacrifice: Sacrificial DanceIgor Stravinsky, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Pierre Monteux
Petrushka: Tableau 1: Russian DanceIgor Stravinsky, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Pierre Monteux
Petrushka: Tableau 2: Petrushka's RoomIgor Stravinsky, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Pierre Monteux
Petrushka: Tableau 1: The Shrovetide FairIgor Stravinsky, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Pierre Monteux
Petrushka: Tableau 4: Wet Nurses' DanceIgor Stravinsky, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Pierre Monteux
Petrushka: Tableau 4: Peasant and BearIgor Stravinsky, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Pierre Monteux
Petrushka: Tableau 4: Dance of the Gipsy GirlsIgor Stravinsky, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Pierre Monteux
Petrushka: Tableau 4: Dance of the Coachmen and the GroomIgor Stravinsky, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Pierre Monteux
Petrushka: Tableau 4: The MummersIgor Stravinsky, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Pierre Monteux
Hamlet, Op. 67Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Pierre Monteux
Suite No. 4 in G Major, Op. 61, "Mozartiana": IV. Theme and VariationsPyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Pierre Monteux
Concert Fantasia in G Major, Op. 56: I. Quasi Rondo: Andante mossoPyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Vera Franceschi, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Pierre Monteux
Concert Fantasia in G Major, Op. 56: II. Contrastes: Andante cantabile - Tempo giustoPyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Vera Franceschi, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Pierre Monteux
Symphony No. 1 in D Major, Op. 25, "Classical": I. AllegroSergei Prokofiev, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Pierre Monteux
Symphony No. 1 in D Major, Op. 25, "Classical": II. LarghettoSergei Prokofiev, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Pierre Monteux
Symphony No. 1 in D Major, Op. 25, "Classical": III. Gavotte: Non troppo allegroSergei Prokofiev, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Pierre Monteux
Symphony No. 1 in D Major, Op. 25, "Classical": IV. Molto vivaceSergei Prokofiev, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Pierre Monteux
Symphony No. 6 in B Minor, Op. 74, "Pathetique": I. Adagio - Allegro non troppoPyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Pierre Monteux