Symphonies Nos, 4, 5, from Die Geschopfe Des Prometheus : Munch / Boston Symphony Orchestra (1959-1961)

BEETHOVEN:
Extracts from Creatures of Prometheus - 8 MARCH 1960
Symphony No. 4 - 18 APRIL 1961
Symphony No. 5 - 3 NOVEMBER 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.
This performance of extracts from The Creatures of Prometheus is a rare one, Munch having only conducted the ballet at the BSO in one season (four performances in total).
In addition to the overture, Munch added two further movements from the ballet, which are not performed as frequently.
According to Richard Dyer, Munch’s performance of the Fourth Symphony is both fiery and fun, gracious and exhilarating. The fifth symphony perfectly encompasses Munch’s exuberance and panache. ( ICA Classics )