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Title: Richter live with Munch, repeated with Leinsdorf
Review: I heard Richter play both the Beethoven #1 (another amazing performance and available on CD) and the Brahms #2 with Charles Munch at a benefit concert for the BSO in the 60s. Everybody knows about Richter, and most people know about Munch (and admire him extravagantly, as I do). But I at first found Leinsdorf (who followed Munch as MD of the BSO) pedantic. Gradually I learned that his technique--keep an even, steady beat, and build the emotion inside it--was incredibly effective. I attended a concert with the BSO at Brooklyn Academy where his conducting of the march from the Tchaikovsky Symphony #6 produced a 15-minute ovation (I timed it). If I had had my wits about me, I would have started a chant of "Again! Again!" Herr Leinsdorf merely modestly acknowledged the applause--again and again--and, when we had worn ourselves out, went on to play the fourth movement.I just bought this CD, which I own on LP. Obviously I recommend it.
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