MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Bruno Walter: The Original Jacket Collection

To those reared on his recordings, Bruno Walter was a living link to a bygone age. Born in 1876, when Wagner was still alive and Bruckner had yet to write his last and greatest symphonies, Walter was arguably the most old-world of the many long-lived conductors who were born in the latter part of the 19th century (Horenstein, Klemperer, and Scherchen are other notable ones). Indeed, few maestros of any era were so big-hearted and warmly expressive, yet without undo sentimentality. Those features are evident in all of these classic recordings of music by Mahler, Bruckner, and Wagner, newly remastered and opulently packaged together in Sony's Original Jacket Collection series. Those accustomed to Bernstein's Mahler recordings, with their strong theatrical element, may be surprised at the softer, smoother contours of Walter's performances. (Walter met Mahler in 1894 and became the elder conductor's assistant; they maintained warm relations until Mahler's death in 1911.) To be sure, there's no lack of electricity, particularly in the thrilling versions of the Second and Fifth symphonies, but these are interpretations to remind one that Mahler's favorite composer was Mozart. Although less closely identified with Bruckner's music, Walter also had a deep understanding and sympathy for that composer's long-breathed structures. Asked to compare Mahler and Bruckner, Walter once said: "Mahler was always searching for God; Bruckner had found God." Fittingly, these broadly paced readings are imbued with a glowing spirituality that is not only compelling but profoundly satisfying. Walter's Wagner is similarly radiant. The orchestral excerpts from Parsifal remain among the finest ever recorded, and they've never sounded more ravishing than in this 20-bit remastering. There's no finer tribute to the irreplaceable art of Bruno Walter than this sumptuous collection, and as it's a limited edition, better grab it while you can.