C0728. PIERRE MONTEUX Cond. Boston S.O.:  L’Oiseau de Feu – Suite (1911 Version);  Pulcinella (both Stravinsky);  Der Rosenkavalier – Suite (Strauss);  Psyché (Franck);  w.Leon Fleisher:  Piano Concerto #1 in d (Brahms).  (E.U.) 2-West Hill Radio Archives WHRA 6012, Live Performances, 1953-57.  Transfers by Maggi Payne. - 4015023160125

CRITIC REVIEW:

“Fans of Pierre Monteux will want to seize a 2-CD Boston Symphony collection of previoulsy unissued performances, this time from between 1953 and 1957 and offered by West Hill Radio Archives. Stravinsky’s ‘The Firebird’ ends with the ‘Infernal Dance’; the one that Monteux conducts here ends with the ballet’s ‘Apotheosis’ and contains movements not in the 1919 Suite, the latter being the version that I thought Monteux recorded in Paris for Decca– this is an atmospheric and cracking performance. Then comes the Suite from Strauss’s “Der Rosenkavalier” (made by Artur Rodzinski) and is followed by music from César Franck’s ‘Psyché’. There is a feeling of rightness to Monteux’s conducting and the Boston Symphony adds to the pleasure. The second CD includes Brahms’s Piano Concerto No.1 with Leon Fleisher as the patrician soloist, a linear account in which structure is uppermost and sentiment is welded to it. A tart account of the Suite from Stravinsky’s ‘Pulcinella’ completes this fine release; and with no complaints regarding Maggi Payne’s transfers.”

- Colin Anderson, classicalsource.com