Chicago Symphony Orchestra - Historic Telecasts with George Szell (Mussorgsky / Beethoven / Berlioz / Mozart)

Featuring original footage of performances originally broadcast in 1961, this program of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra conducted by 20th-century heavyweight maestro George Szell is a pleasure to watch in more ways than one. Acting as a kind of time capsule, the program, consisting mostly of popular pieces by Beethoven, Berlioz, Mussorgsky, and Mozart, reminds us of an era when classical concerts were beamed into homes as regular Sunday-evening fare. Guest cellist Erica Morini commands a searing and stately performance through the Mozart Violin Concerto, but the star of the night here, of course, is Szell himself, and this release gives enthusiasts the opportunity at last to experience the conducting legend in as intimate a setting as is currently available. While the clarity of the picture often falls victim to the technology of the time--in some segments the black-and-white video could be described as flat-out blurry--the sound overall is surprisingly good. Rest assured, however, that any shortcomings in the quality of the 40-year old videotape is more than compensated by the chance to watch Szell in the twilight of his career conducting with such passion and virtuosity. --Karl Wachter