Willem Mengelberg, the conductor, disliked legato, believing that 'it will sound quite legato enough if there is air between the strokes of the bow'.
Interpretation
Willem Mengelberg, the conductor, often used small-scale rubatos to enrich the moment-to-moment structure of the music, demonstrating a unique understanding with the orchestra.
Performer Biography
Willem Mengelberg, the conductor on this album, led the Amsterdam Concertgebouw Orchestra for almost fifty years, starting in 1895.
Performer Biography
Willem Mengelberg mounted the first cycle of Gustav Mahler's symphonies with the Amsterdam Concertgebouw Orchestra in 1920.
Interpretation
Mengelberg's recordings feature string playing with portamentos and continuous vibrato reserved only for the most opulent moments.
Performer Biography
Richard Strauss dedicated his work Ein Heldenleben to both Willem Mengelberg, the conductor, and the Amsterdam Concertgebouw Orchestra.
Interpretation
Willem Mengelberg was not afraid to alter the musical text to improve balance, as seen in his insertion of a rest in the first movement of Brahms's Fourth Symphony.
You might also enjoy...
Lyatoshynsky: Symphonies Nos. 2 and 3
LYATOSHYNSKY: Symphonies Nos. 2 and 3
Brahms & Bruckner: The Symphonies
Mozart, Dvořák, Schubert & Schumann: Symphonies
Langgaard, R.: Symphony No. 1, "Klippepastoraler"
Toscanini Edition, vol. I
Elgar: Symphony No. 2, Op. 63
Dvorak: Symphony No. 7 with Bernard Haitink & BRSO
