Brahms from the VPO and Böhm

I was so pleased to pick up the latest edition of Gramophone and learn that Karl Böhm has been elected to its Hall of Fame. Not that I have much use for such halls as a concept - but still, Böhm is a musician worth remembering.

The conductor's benediction in print was delivered by the great mezzo Brigitte Fassbaender. Here is some of what she wrote:

Böhm

"'Karl the Great' he most certainly was; he was a consummate musician, his repertoire embracing a wide spectrum from the Classical to the modern. His crystal-clear interpretation of the Mozart operas with the BPO, his deceptively straightforward Beethoven with the VPO and his close artistic collaboration with Strauss in Dresden will ensure his place in the annals."

I while back I prepared a transfer of the June 1953 Böhm-VPO recording of Brahms' third symphony. I find it most enjoyable, although it probably does not represent the best work of either party. The sound from the Musikvereinssaal is good. The download includes the December 1953 Gramophone review, Fassbaender's encomium, and as always, hi-res scans, in case you want to print out and frame that amazingly ugly cover for some reason.