Beethoven: Symphony No.6 in F, Op. 68 (Remastered)

Giulini was one of the top echelon of conductors of the 20th century, and these, his ‘late phase’ recordings hold a special place. Many of his ‘European phase’ recordings from the ’60’s and ’70’s, particularly operatic and choral works, still feature among the leading versions despite their age. However, there is no gainsaying that improvements in recording techniques over time have captured a certain ‘bloom’ in recorded sound which inevitably date the earlier recordings. Giulini’s late career tended to be based in America and for various reasons the resultant recordings did not attract the same interest, at least in Europe, as his earlier ones. My suspicion is that it was largely a matter of fashion; Giulini’s formative years had been under the dominance of some of the truly great conductors, the likes of Walter, Furtwangler and Klemperer, so something of that monumental and majestic approach was retained. As levels of musical awareness and education have dipped in an increasing consumerist age, it was perhaps inevitable that Giulini’s refinement and classical restraint would start to appear more as vices than virtues, a sign of being ‘old-fashioned’.

01. Los Angeles Philharmonic – Symphony No. 6 in F Major, Op. 68 – Pastoral I. Erwachen heiter
02. Los Angeles Philharmonic – Symphony No. 6 in F Major, Op. 68 – Pastoral II. Szene am Bach.
03. Los Angeles Philharmonic – Symphony No. 6 in F Major, Op. 68 – Pastoral III. Lustiges Zusa
04. Los Angeles Philharmonic – Symphony No. 6 in F Major, Op. 68 – Pastoral IV. Gewitter, Stur
05. Los Angeles Philharmonic – Symphony No. 6 in F Major, Op. 68 – Pastoral V. Hirtengesang. F