Beethoven Symphony No. 5, 4th mvt--Arturo Toscanini/NBC Symp

Telecast March 22, 1952 from Carnegie Hall, New York City.


Toscanini's recordings of this symphony from the 20s and 30s show that he used to conduct it with
more flexibility and breathing back and forth, but I do prefer these later versions---more direct with
stronger flow and propulsive urgent force. The driving clairity and carefully built climaxes still there.

He was an early
enthusiast of the "original intruments" movement, and would love the clairity and tempi you hear today in the chamber ensemble
performances of these symphonies.

In the notes, Mortimer H. Franks reports that the engineers were unfamiliar with Carnegie Hall, and that explains the
less than ideal camera shots and directions. Also, the hot lights got the 85 year old Toscanini sweating so much that
by the end of the symphony he had to close his eyes and bear it! He never telecasted another concert live again.