Credits:

Hans Knappertsbusch, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra

Description:

The last of Kuna & Vienna Philharmonic's DECCA recordings. Reproduced in its original coupling as it was first released!

Knappertsbusch had recorded for the DECCA label since 1947, and this is the last masterpiece recorded for the DECCA label in February 1960. In Japan, it has been sold under several titles such as "Knappertsbusch/Vienna Philharmonic Popular Concerts" and "Invitation to Butoh - Knappertsbusch Masterpieces", which was released as a separate album. This reissue features the original couplings and the order in which they were originally recorded. The jacket also uses the original design of the first release (the back of the LP is also reproduced on the back of the booklet).
Starting with "The Nutcracker Suite", followed by the unique tempo of "Military March", the romantic "Invitation to a Dance", and finally "Windsor - Overture", even the smallest pieces are filled with Kuna's full-blown music. The "Windsor Overture," which was relatively common until the early days of stereo, is rarely recorded nowadays, but this recording by Kuna and the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra makes me nostalgic for the days when he conducted even small pieces with great passion.
The last DECCA recording of Kuna was made by G. Parry and J. Brown, who had worked with Kuna for many years, and DECCA's stereo recordings blossomed further during this period, reproducing excellent sound quality even today.
In this reissue, as in the past, the CD master is a high-bit, high-sampling (192kHz, 24bit) digitized sound source from the original master, which allows the listener to enjoy a higher resolution and smoother tone compared to previous recordings. Decca's high-definition recording technology of the time is still remarkable even today, and you will be surprised at the clarity and power of the sound even now. The commentary includes a new preface commentary by Hiroki Sakaki. This is a preserved disc suitable for the 50th anniversary of Knappertsbusch's death.