Credits:

Othmar Schoeck, Staatskapelle Dresden.

Description:

The 1962 Mahler recording is a fine performance by the young Switner, a masterful recording that makes full use of the SKD's unobtrusive sound of the time, and still sounds superb today. An excellent recording. World's first SACD release! Mastered only in the analog domain and directly converted to DSD! The 8th SACD hybridization of the latest reissue project of ETERNA's original analog tapes in Japan. Although the Mahler recording was made in 1962, when there were not so many recordings yet, it is a masterful performance that can still be used today as an exemplary performance that captures the pure musicality of the piece. In fact, the essence of the music is more directly conveyed in this performance than in later performances, which focused more on dynamics and dramatic dynamism, and it may have been Switner's most satisfying performance, considering the fact that he did not re-record it later. There is a later live recording with the NHK Symphony Orchestra in 1973, but this 1962 recording sounds more lucid, perhaps due to the different texture of the orchestra. It is interesting to note, however, that the performance is not treated as a youthful work, but rather the sound is unified with a calm and dark tone. Although the tone quality of the orchestra at the time, the recording conditions, and Switner's interpretation are largely responsible for the performance, it is a performance that should be especially appreciated for its straightforward performance that brings out the true value of the piece by avoiding brilliant sound as much as possible.Switner's Mahler recordings are scarce, with only two other session recordings, Nos. 2 and 5 (and live recordings of Nos. 1, 2, and 4 with the NHK Symphony Orchestra). The coupling this time includes R. Strauss' "Metamorphosen". The performance here is exquisite and exceptional because the transparency of the strings of this orchestra of that time is well recorded. Switner had a reputation for playing R. Strauss as part of the Austrian-German repertoire, but there are not many recordings of this work. In 1964, when the "Metamorphosen" was recorded, Switner also recorded the "Aristocrat" Suite and some pieces from the opera in September and November with the Staatskapelle Dresden as broadcast recordings, but these recordings are very rare and valuable. The original analog master tapes from the home country used in this release remain in good condition. Therefore, as with the previous recordings in this series, the sound quality of this recording is of high quality, making it a highly valuable recording. The performance standard of the time and the tone of the instruments used can be clearly heard. Although this style has been inherited since then, we are reissuing these recordings in the belief that there should be a need for appropriate reissuing from the standpoint of recording history. (1/2)