For the time being, this completes the collection of Fritz Lehmann 78 recordings that I have at my disposal. Lehmann’s 1950’s discography includes a large number of Baroque works, including the complete Handel Op. 6 Concerti grossi (now available as an mp3 download from DG’s web shop), a number of Bach Cantatas (only those with Fischer-Dieskau’s participation have been reissued), Bach’s St. Matthew Passion (from Music and Arts), Bach’s Christmas Oratorio (his last recording, completed by Felix Arndt). DG also currently offers a reissue of a sparkling recording of the Crysander version of Handel’s Water Music (the same edition utilized by van Beinum and Kubelik in their recordings), and a remake of the Royal Fireworks music.
These 78 recordings show Lehmann’s enthusiasm for this repertory, and share a number of traits with the lp era recordings. The performing forces are a bit larger, and at times, less nimble than those of a few years later, but the well-channelled rythmic energy IS present in abundance, and perhaps a slightly more unbridled quality than the more carefully accomplished 50’s studio recordings display. The Corelli Op. 6, No. 1 is taken from a Variable Micrograde 78 pressing, and was also issued on a 45 rpm disc, but I don’t believe it ever appeared on Lp.
Handel: Music for the Royal Fireworks
Odeon O-9150/51 (matr. xxB 8944/47)
Grosses Radio-Sinfonieorchester, Brussels
recorded March-April 1942, June 1942
Handel: Concerto grosso in F Major, Op. 6, No. 2
Odeon O-7973/74 (matr. xxB 8812/15)
Orchester des Deutschen Operhauses, Berlin
recorded 1941
Corelli: Concerto grosso in G Minor, Op. 6, No. 8
(“Christmas Concerto”)
Odeon O-7985/86 (matr. xxB 8870/73)
Berlin Staatskapelle
recorded 1941
Corelli: Concerto grosso in D, Op. 6, No. 1
Bayerisches Staatsorchester, Munchen
Herbert Becker, Bernhard Walter (violins),
Oswald Uhl (‘cello), Anna Schuh (harpsichord)
DG Arkiv 4410 (Variable Micrograde)
(also issued as 45 rpm 37 018)
recorded October 24, 1951
