There are some apparently contradictory elements in Toscanini’s relationship with the "greats" of the classical and romantic symphonic repertoire. If the great Italian conductor was one of the most important interpreters of Beethoven of his time, as demonstrated by the numerous recordings of the complete symphony cycle, his relationship with Mozart was more intermittent. Perhaps the explanation lies in the fact that, as he once declared in an interview, Mozart’s music lacks those elements of drama that so suited his temperament and that rendered his interpretations of Beethoven so taut. However, the Symphony in G minor, was an exception. Toscanini himself declared it "a great tragedy", and this recording clearly reveals his powerful, coherent conception of Mozart’s masterpiece.
Schubert’s Unfinished Symphony, like the "Great” C Major, was already part of Toscanini’s repertoire at the end of the nineteenth century, when he was still in his early thirties. He performed Schubert’s masterpiece countless times throughout his career, and this recording, made when the Maestro was all of 83 years old, is to some extent a summary of a long relationship with the work. An intense, dramatic reading, with the usual rapid tempo, but also with moments of great lyricism in the sung sections. It is interesting to note that Toscanini, born in 1867, was almost a contemporary of the great late 19th century composers, like Brahms (who died in 1897) and Tchaikovsky (who died in 1893). The music of these composers, an established part of the musical repertoire for us, must then have sounded "new" to the public and to Toscanini himself, and the conductor was very involved in promoting this "contemporary" music. Brahms First Symphony is a good example. Toscanini is considered one of the 20th century's greatest interpreters of Brahms, and the complete cycle of the composer's symphonies figured in his concert repertoire many times. His vision was both classic in its rigour and romantic in its expressiveness. Toscanini achieved this balance perfectly and it is this that renders his interpretations unique. |
