I've followed these recordings of the Concerto and the Music for... through various issues (RCA and Victrola lp, initial CD and now the current -- excellent -- reissue). No other recordings have matched the fire and ice(and heart!) of these.
I even love the cover art: 1950's "moderne" which carries me back to the days of vacuum tubes and blond speaker cabinets with grills that looked like upholstery.Bartok the way it should be The Reiner/Chicago Symphony recording is truly a treasure that has and will stand the test of time. There is the magnificent illusion of a live performance as the musicians execute this unique work with fire, clarity, and spontenaiety. The legendary brass players of the Chicago Symphony are at their best in this recording, taking chances and working together to produce one of the most dynamic and exciting performances of the concerto I have heard. While there is some minor background noise, I believe it adds to the total effect of the piece, making it seem more natural and human than many of the nearly perfect digital recordings of today. I truly believe that this is the way Bartok intended the piece to be played. It is a work like no other and the Chicago Symphony rises the occasion of bringing out the full detail and intention of this amazing work.
This platter was also the first time I'd heard a Celesta. Its ethereal entries seemed to shimmer and float through the orchestral texture, and give me shivers still. It's great to have this program reissued on an exemplary CD (although the old cover art is ugly still). After those two pieces the vigorous Dances are relatively tame fare.
