Koussevitzky/BSO: Beethoven Symphony No. 5 (r. 1944) - LVSM FALP 182

Jacket VG / LP EX

This handsome and quite rare LP from La Voix de son Maitre (FALP 182, French pressing, red/silver label – ED1, mono) features Sergei Koussevitzky and the Boston Symphony Orcestra's commanding account of Beethoven's Symphony No. 5 in C minor Op. 67, recorded in the rich acoustics of Symphony Hall, Boston, on 23 and 27 November 1944.

RCA, or really any label for that matter, has yet to issue a truly fine and comprehensive Koussevitzy series. The French label Lys issued a more than respectable edition on CD, and there were scattered issues on RCA, Pearl, and Biddulph, but nothing really worthy of the great man. Hopefully, that might still be remedied. This Beethoven Fifth, like so much of the conductor's recorded legacy, has the white-hot frisson of "live" performance, with the BSO playing with tremendous power and splendor – a truly great Beethoven Fifth.

The striking cover design was executed by A. Enz. There are superb liner notes on the reverse side of the jacket by Robert Bogdali, provided in French only.