Franck Symphony, Faure Pelleas et Melisande Suite, Wagner : Munch / Boston Symphony Orchestra (1959-1961)

WAGNER: Excerpts from Act III of Die Meistersinger- 8 MARCH 1960
FRANCK: Symphony in D minor - 14 MARCH 1961
FAURE: Pelleas et Melisande Suite - 7 APRIL 1959

Boston Symphony Orchestra / Charles Munch, conductor
Live at SANDERS THEATRE, HARVARD UNIVERSITY

Access to the publicly broadcast BSO concerts from this era has been extremely difficult even for researchers. This series of DVDs will make these performances available for the first time since they were broadcast. Munch launched the BSO into television in 1955. He was an immensely popular conductor and well suited to being filmed.
This material represents some of the earliest televised concerts with the Boston Symphony and Charles Munch, and has been restored using the greatest care and state-of-the-art techniques. It is of exceptional musical interest and historical value.
‘Munch handles the Wagner in a masterly, memorable and deeply human manner, with great
depth of tone and feeling.’ (Richard Dyer).
Faure’s Pelleas and Melisande is quintessentially French, repertoire for which Munch was best known. his recordings of French repertoire remain a permanent standard of reference.
The Faure was performed by Munch and the BSO no fewer than 23 times between 1947 and 1966, and according to the announcer, Bill Pierce, proceeds like ‘well-bred discourse’. ( ICA Classics )