Favorite Hindemith - Metamorphosis Recording

[Billy M.]

Hey all!

I have a fairly expansive CD collection of classical music but always find myself refining it for the sake of finding better recordings, unique (believable) interpretations, etc ad nauseum.

In my search to refine my collection, I'm wondering what you, that is the tuba community, recommend when it comes to a recording of Hindemith's "Symphonic Metamorphosis."

I'm looking for more than just the tuba player nailing their part... I'm looking for a complete package that is excellently recorded (Szell is so close but the bass is lacking).

Any input is appreciated.

[doublebuzzing]

For overall performance (not just tuba) I'd go with the Ormandy/Philadelphia one. Still my favorite.

[smitwill1]

San Francisco Symphony '88, Herbert Blomstedt--Floyd Cooley playing tuba. A London/Decca recording with Mathis der Maler, Trauermusic, and Symphonic Metamorphosis. Great recording--excellent playing all around.

[GC]

+1

Has the Philadelphia/Ormandy ever been released on CD?

[GC]

Thanks. I had somehow passed those over when I looked at Amazon last night.

I'm a big fan of Ormandy's Symphony Mathis der Maler, too. I'm a bit surprised at finding CDs that are 21 years old in the original wrapper.

[Billy M.]

Hey elephant, that's the Szell recording of it and I own it. I like the recording but it's very bass light. I'll have to check if there's another Ormandy recording.

[GC]

The Amazon listing is unclear, but one of the reviewers said that both Hindemith pieces are by Ormandy and the Walton "Variations on a Theme by Hindemith" is by Szell. I'll be happy either way when it arrives.

[GC]

That trumps the review.

I've long been a big fan of the Ormandy recording. If the Szell is better, I gotta hear it.

[Billy M.]

It's a great performance. If only the recording studio could have picked up more of the low brass and strings. Musically, it's incredible.

[GC]

It finally arrived, and it's one of the best orchestral CDs I've ever heard. I now know that I've been woefully ignorant about Szell and Cleveland. I still like the Philadelphia/Ormandy Metamorphoses, but the Szell is fantastically well-done. The Philly Symphony "Mathis der Maler" is a great performance, and the Szell/Cleveland Variations on a Theme by Hindemith is a piece I knew nothing about but now love.

[GC]

Ordered the Bruckner from the link. Many more thanks.

[Billy M.]

That Prokofiev recording is fantastic. London does a fantastic job performing the piece and John Fletcher's playing is beyond reproach. Just wonderful!

As for Bruckner 4, my favorite is Karl Bohm conducting Vienna. It's a Decca classics recording. I'm quite possibly convinced it's my favorite classical recording of anything.

[Billy M.]

Btw, elephant. Here's the link for the Prokofiev on cd. (It's expensive but I ain't given up my copy any time soon.)

http://www.amazon.com/Prokofiev-Symphon ... iev+previn

[tubajoe]

I think just about all of those SFSO/Blomstedt recordings are really special. The Hindemith recording as well as the entire Nielsen cycle w/Floyd is simply outstanding.

[Billy M.]

Bump.

I know all the usual suspects are here (Szell, Blomstedt, Ormandy) but are there any sleepers worth a hearing that y'all may have heard and enjoyed?

Still looking for input.

[Billy M.]

Tuben,

That recording doesn't qualify because it doesn't meet my personal standards of excellently recorded. Granted, the orchestra as a whole sounds good but the recording quality is not.

I appreciate the input, though.

[EdFirth]

Just so it gets pointed out, those Kubilek recordings were made using one mike over the conductor's head. No engineers adjusting anything. I personally think they are very interesting. Ed

[Billy M.]

If you do not have the ability to hear the MUSIC despite the limitations of recording technologies at the time of pressing, then I am truly sorry for you. You've chosen to eliminate a wealth of amazing performances, interpretations, and styles of orchestral brass playing that have been lost in today's Uber-Homogeneity.

Considering the fact that a number of recordings from within that decade of Chicago, Boston, New York, Cleveland (ad nauseum) are of exemplary quality even within their "limitations" and part of my collection (and prized, mind you) you assume too much. This particular recording does not fit the bill. The recommendation is appreciated but the quasi-pity is not. It would have been a helluva a concert to hear live. I wasn't alive then, unfortunately.

Ed, I agree that it is interesting. I work in the audiovisual field. If we were doing a recording like that, my boss would have my job for lunch. Granted, the technology has dramatically changed in 60+ years but it still seems an odd choice when stereo recording was possible.

[toobagrowl]

Gotta agree with Billy M on the recording quality. Those 1950s mono recordings are sometimes hard to listen to because the orchestra sounds like it was recorded in a small tunnel...

Btw, found this real-deal, live recording of the Hindemith by the CSO @ Ravinia in 1966.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_aGp2K99RC8

Honestly, the low brass (including Jacobs) sounds a bit lethargic/draggy at times (i.e. not on top of the beat). Bud Herseth sounds great, though.

[barry grrr-ero]

I don't usually buy recordings of orchestral works just to hear the tuba player, but Floyd is fabulous in the Hindemith. In fact, the whole 3-disc set of Hindemith orchestral works with Blomstedt/S.F. Symphony is really excellent (Decca). Floyd really sounds great on the "Konzertmusik for Brass & Strings" too. It also includes much rarer Hindemith items such as the "Symphonia Serena" and the big "Harmonie der Welt" (Harmony of the World). Good stuff.

Barry Guerrero