Vaughan Williams, Ralph/Bruckner, Anton: István Kertész conducts... (BBC Legends Audio CD)

London Symphony Orchestra
István Kertész, conductor

Recorded: Royal Festival Hall, London, 13 March 1964 & 15 February 1966


Hungarian conductor István Kertész (1929-1973) succeeded Pierre Monteux as Music Director of the LSO (1965-1968) and established a major reputation with the orchestra with many fine commercial studio recordings, the complete Dvorak Symphonies for Decca, being once such example.

The live stereo performance of the Bruckner's Symphony No.4 on 13 March 1964 first appeared on BBC Radio Classics in 1995 with no fill-up. BBC Legends have completely remastered the sound of the Bruckner from the original master tapes. It should be noted that Kertész was a life long admirer of Bruno Walter whose performances of Bruckner influenced his interpretation of the Austrian composer.

BBC Legends have also added Vaughan Williams's Fantasia on a Theme of Thomas Tallis which Kertész never recorded. It is also in stereo dating from 1966.

Kertész's previous recording on BBC Legends of Schumann Symphony No.1 & Brahms Symphony No. 2 (BBCL42292) has been a best seller and a suitable reminder of a great artist who died tragically in his prime.