Hindemith: Symphony Mathis der Maler, Symphonic Metamorphoses / Walton: Variations on a Theme by Hindemith (Essential Classics)

Walton's Variations on a Theme of Hindemith is the symphonic masterpiece of his late years. Hindemith himself loved it. The tune is actually the entire first section of the slow movement of the German composer's Cello Concerto, one of his finest melodies. George Szell's performance is simply definitive. In fact, I would go out on a limb and say that purely in terms of the technical quality of the playing, this is one of the top ten classical recordings ever made. It's so close to perfection as to be beyond criticism, and the same holds true for the performance of the Symphonic Metamorphoses. Eugene Ormandy's warmly Romantic Mathis der Maler Symphony is also quite recommendable. At budget price, you can own a little piece of recording history. Stunning. --David Hurwitz