The most recent batch of DG's "Original Masters" box sets boasts several titles that will leave classical collectors rejoicing. While "Lorin Maazel: Complete Early Berlin Philharmonic Recordings 1957-1962" is not as essential as the Askenase or Schneiderhan releases (see my review of the latter), it is a welcome edition nonetheless. Maazel was only in his late 20s when he made these recordings, which include performances of Mozart (Syms 1, 28 & 41), Beethoven (Syms 5 & 6, etc), Schubert (Syms 2-8), Brahms (Sym 3 & the Tragic Overture), Mendelssohn (Syms 4 & 5), and more. Overall Maazel's readings are fiery and quickly paced, causing many critics to dismiss these recordings at the time of their initial releases as the brash, overly enthusiastic statements of a boy conductor. This is just criticism for much of the Schubert, the Beethoven 5th, Tchaikovsky 4th, and Night on Bald Mountain. However, I personally enjoy the majority of these performances. Additionally, the excerpts from Berlioz's Romeo & Juliet are quite lovely (and better than the other R&J's contained here -- Tchaikovsky and Prokofiev), the Pastoral is refreshingly brisk, and the Capriccio Espagnol is a personal favorite (I previously had it via DG's "Eternal Russia" collection). Also this earlier account of Respighi's Pines of Rome is quite good (though his later Decca Legends version outshines it) but I could do without the very pronounced bird calls towards the end of the Janiculum section. Something else this set could live without is the Britten Young Person's Guide, which Maazel narrates and performs with the ONRTF Paris (hello, not Berlin). A better title to include would have been his account of Harold in Italy, recently included on the DG box set "The Berlioz Experience" (I believe it fits the "Early Berlin" criteria better than the said Brittten does). As is, this is a delightful collection, showcasing the blossoming talents of a conductor who continues to dazzle audiences from the podium nearly fifty years later.
Very awesome interpretation of Beethoven. That is CD1. It's so exciting to listen to. I couldn't be happier with this recording. Simply fabulous for the lover of excellent music. I am in classical music heaven when I listen to this.