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| CSO rehearsing in their hall |
The Chicago Symphony: A tribute
The Chicago Symphony was my first orchestra love. I still keep some of Solti's Chicago
recordings around to remind me of their magnificence. This section is a tribute to their greatness, translating the
German classics for the American audience. Some conductors want American orchestras to sound more
European, but Chicago never needed to be anything else. Why do something the Vienna and Berlin Phiharmonics do
well enough already?
Eduard van Beinum: A superb orchestra trainer
Hear a van Beinum rehearsal
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| Eduard van Beinum |
Eduard van Beinum conducted the Concertgebouw Orchestra of Amsterdam between 1945 and 1959. Before the orchestra
became self-governing around 1953, their partnership with van Beinum was one of the strongest in Europe. Fortunately,
this partnership was preserved on record by Decca, who were ahead of their time in recording techniques. Van Beinum
supported the cause of modern music; his recording of Stravinsky's "Rite of Spring" was certainly one of the first versions
to appear on 78s. His Decca version of Brahms' 1st symphony is also a landmark. Such was the rapport between
conductor, orchestra, and recording company, that all the first takes of the symphony were used for the pressing.
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