I would like to thank Henry Fogel for calling to my attention the new Dante releases (which he observes have "decent" sound), and for his additional comments on specific recordings. If you have an observation on a specific Mengelberg topic or recording, please e-mail it to me and I will consider it for the Mengelberg Forum.
ORCHESTRAS
BBC = BBC Symphony Orchestra
BRO = Berlin Radio Orchestra
COA = Concertgebouw Orchestra, Amsterdam
NYP = New York Philharmonic-Symphony
PRO = Paris Radio Orchestra
NEW YORK PHILHARMONIC, A SESQUICENTENNIAL CELEBRATION (rec. 1924-1927) -(arr. Mengelberg): Preludium on the Dutch National Anthem -SCHELLING: A Victory Ball -WAGNER: The Flying Dutchman, Overture; Die Walkure: Ride of the Valkyries -J. STRAUSS Jr: Artist's Life, waltz; Tales from the Vienna Woods, waltz -TCHAIKOVSKY: March Slav, Op. 31 PEARL GEMM CDS 9922 [3 discs] [This set is a commemoration of the earliest recordings of this venerable orchestra, from Stransky through Barbirolli. None of the Mengelberg contributions are sonic treasures, and this set is more for those interested in the orchestra. Some of these items also appear in the following:] WILLEM MENGELBERG, THE COMPLETE 1922-25 NEW YORK PHILHARMONIC RECORDINGS -BEETHOVEN: Coriolanus, Op. 62: Overture; Symphony No. 5 in c, Op. 67, 1st movement -WEBER: Oberon: Overture -SCHUBERT: Rosamunde: Overture and Entr'acte -MENDELSSOHN: Athalia: War March of the Priests -LISZT: Les Preludes -J. STRAUSS Jr: Tales from the Vienna Woods -SAINT-SAENS; Le Rouet d'Omphale, Op. 31 -TCHAIKOVSKY: Serenade for Strings, Op. 48 - Waltz; Symphony No. 6 in b, Op. 74: 2nd and 3rd movements (abridged) -HALVORSEN: Festival March of the Boyars -(arr. Mengelberg): Preludium on the Dutch National Anthem -WAGNER: The Flying Dutchman: Overture; Die Walkure: Ride of the Valkyries -SCHELLING: A Victory Ball -R. STRAUSS: Ein Heldenleben BIDDULPH WHL 025-26 [Although a great deal of vitality comes through, the majority of the items listed above are acoustic recordings, with all that implies with regard to sound quality and abridgment of the music. The prize of the set, however, is electrical: a complete conjectural Ein Heldenleben, composed of rejected takes, which represents a kinder, gentler alternative to the issued 78's, presented in the BMG set that is listed under the composer, below.] WILLEM MENGELBERG AND THE PHILHARMONIC-SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA OF NEW YORK (rec. 1928-29) -HANDEL (arr. Goehler): Alcina, suite -J. S. BACH (arr. Mahler): Suite No. 3 in D, BWV 1068: Air -J. C. BACH (arr. Stein): Sinfonia in B-flat, Op. 18 No. 2 -MOZART: Die Zauberflote: Overture -BEETHOVEN: Egmont, Op. 84: Overture -MENDELSSOHN: Athalie, Op. 74: War March of the Priests -MEYERBEER: Le Prophete: Coronation March -WAGNER: Siegfried: Forest Murmurs -HUMPERDINCK: Hansel und Gretel: Overture -SAINT-SAENS: Le Rouet d'Omphale, Op. 31 PEARL GEMM CD 9474 [Ever wonder where the excellence of Toscanini's New York Philharmonic came from? Listen to these recordings and understand! Although relatively early electricals, they sound pretty good in these splendid transfers.] A collection of New York Philharmonic and Concertgebouw Orchestra recordings -GLUCK: Alceste Overture -BERLIOZ: Roman Carnival Overture -BEETHOVEN: Leonore Overture No. 1, Op. 138 -WAGNER: Act 1 Prelude to Lohengrin -TCHAIKOVSKY: March Slav, Op. 31 -SCHUBERT: Rosamunde Overture -MAHLER: Symphony No. 5, Adagietto (4th mov.) SYMPOSIUM SYM 1078 WILLEM MENGELBERG AND THE CONCERTGEBOUW ORCHESTRA: THE COMPLETE COLUMBIA RECORDINGS, VOLUME ONE (rec. 1926-1932) -J. S. BACH: Suite No. 2 in b for Flutes and Strings, BWV 1067 -J. C. BACH: Sinfonia in B-flat, Op. 18, No. 2 -CHERUBINI: Anacreon Overture -BEETHOVEN: Symphony No. 8 in F, Op. 93, Op. 93; Leonore Overture No. 3, Op. 72a -WEBER: Der Freischutz Overture; Euryanthe Overture; Oberon Overture -MENDELSSOHN: A Midsummer Night's Dream: Scherzo -BERLIOZ: The Damnation of Faust, excerpts -LISZT: Les Preludes -WAGNER: Lohengrin: Prelude to Act I; Tannhauser Overture -BRAHMS: Symphony No. 3 in f, Op. 90; Symphony No. 1, 3rd movement; Academic Festival Overture, Op. 80 PEARL GEMM CDS 9018 [3 discs] WILLEM MENGELBERG AND THE CONCERTGEBOUW ORCHESTRA: THE COMPLETE COLUMBIA RECORDINGS, VOLUME TWO (rec. 1926-1932) -SUPPE: Poet and Peasant Overture -J. STRAUSS Jr: Perpetuum Mobile, Op. 25 -TCHAIKOVSKY: Serenade for Strings: Op. 48, Waltz; Romeo and Juliet, Fantasy Overture; Symphony No. 4 in f, Op. 36; Symphony No. 5 in e, Op. 64 (1928 recording); -BIZET: L'Arlesienne: Adagio -GRIEG: Two Elegiac Melodies, Op. 34 -MAHLER: Symphony No. 5 in c: Adagietto (4th mov.) -RAVEL: Bolero -BEETHOVEN: Coriolan Overture, Op. 62; Egmont Overture, Op. 84 -WAGNER: Tannhauser Overture -MENDELSSOHN: A Midsummer Night's Dream: Scherzo -TCHAIKOVSKY: Symphony No. 5 in e, Op. 64 (rec. 1928); Symphony No. 5 in e, Op. 64: 2nd and 3rd movements only (rec. 1927); Serenade for Strings, Op. 48: Waltz PEARL GEMM CDS 9070 [3 discs] [Although an expensive item, this set is essential for the Mengelberg admirer, offering often exquisite playing in a variety of repertoire. While neither Liszt's Les Preludes nor the Brahms 3rd in Vol. 1 should be missed, the dramatic--if cut (in the final movement)--Tchaikovsky 5th and its truncated 1927 predecessor go right to the heart of Mengelberg's style of music-making. The Tchaikovsky 4th is even more willful, but fascinating...and the Adagietto from the Mahler 5th is unforgettable.] ROMANTIC OVERTURES (COA, rec, 1929-1940) -BEETHOVEN: Leonore Overture No. 3, Op. 72a -WEBER: Der Freischutz Overture -WAGNER: Act 1 Prelude to Lohengrin -LISZT: Les Preludes -BRAHMS: Academic Festival Overture, Op. 80 -TCHAIKOVSKY: 1812 Overture, Op. 49 IRON NEEDLE IN 1326 WILLEM MENGELBERG AND THE CONCERTGEBOUW ORCHESTRA: THE RAREST RECORDINGS (rec. 1935-1942) -J.S. BACH: Concerto for 2 Violins, BWV 1043 -MOZART: Serenade No. 13, K. 525 "Eine Kleine Nachtmusik" -SCHUBERT: Marche Militaire No. 1 in D, D. 733 Symphony No. 8 in b, D. 759 "Unfinished" -BERLIOZ: The Damnation of Faust, 3 excerpts -BORODIN: In the Steppes of Central Asia PEARL GEMM CD 9154 [Belying the title, there are far rarer Mengelberg recordings than are found on this disc, but it presents a reasonable overview of composers otherwise not well represented in his canon.] WILLEM MENGELBERG 1928-32 COLUMBIA RECORDINGS (COA) -TCHAIKOVSKY: Romeo and Juliet Overture; Symphonies No. 4 in f, Op. 36 and No. 5 in e, Op. 64; Waltz from Serenade for Strings, Op. 48; -BRAHMS: Symphony No. 3 in f, Op. 90 CLAREMONT GSE 78-50-48/49 [2 discs] WILLEM MENGELBERG CONDUCTS BEETHOVEN AND WAGNER -BEETHOVEN: Symphony No. 3 in E-flat, Op. 55 "Eroica" (NYP, rec. 1930) -WAGNER; Tannhauser Overture (COA, rec. 1932) IRON NEEDLE IN 1325 WILLEM MENGELBERG - A PORTRAIT 1926-41 -BEETHOVEN: Symphony No. 3 in E-flat, Op. 55 "Eroica" (NYP, rec. 1930) -BEETHOVEN: Leonore Overture No. 3, Op. 72a; Egmont Ov. Op. 84 (COA) -WAGNER; Tannhauser Overture: Act 1 Prelude to Lohengrin (COA) -WEBER: Der Freischutz Overture; Oberon Overture (COA) -LISZT: Les Preludes (COA) -BRAHMS: Academic Festival Overture, Op. 80 (COA) -TCHAIKOVSKY: 1812 Overture, Op. 49; No. 6 in b, Op. 74 (1937 recording) -J.S. BACH: Suite No. 2 in b for Flutes and Strings, BWV 1067 (COA) GRAMMOPHONO 2000 [3 discs] WILLEN MENGELBERG, THE TELEFUNKEN RECORDINGS: MUSIC FROM FRANCE (COA, rec. 1937, 1938, 1940, 1942) -BERLIOZ: Roman Carnival Overture; 3 excerpts from The Damnation of Faust -DEBUSSY: Prelude to the Afternoon of the Faun -FRANCK: Psyche: No. 4, Psyche and Eros; Symphony in d BIDDULPH WHL 023 WILLEN MENGELBERG, THE TELEFUNKEN RECORDINGS: MUSIC FOR STRINGS (COA, rec. Dec. 1937, 1940) -VIVALDI: Concerto grosso in a, Op. 3 No. 8 -J.S. BACH: Suite No. 3 in D, BWV 1068: Air -J.S. BACH: Concerto for 2 violins in D -MOZART: Serenade No. 13 in G, K. 525 "Eine Kleine Nachtmusik" -TCHAIKOVSKY: Serenade for Strings, Op. 48 BIDDULPH WHL 024 THE ART OF WILLEM MENGELBERG, 1926-1932 Japanese EMI TOC 819/99 [9 discs] [Contents unknown, presumably the same studio recordings found in the two Pearl sets. If so, these discs must be on the short side!]
MENGELBERG CONDUCTS BEETHOVEN (NYP, rec. 1930) -Symphony No. 1 in C, Op. 21; Symphony No. 3 in E-flat, Op. 55 "Eroica" BIDDULPH WHL 020 -BEETHOVEN: Symphonies No. 4 in B-flat, Op. 60 and No. 5 in c, Op. 675 (COA, rec. 1937-1938) WORLD CLASSIC COMPACT DISC WCC 44012 WILLEM MENGELBERG - CONCERTGEBOUW ORCHESTRA 1937-1938 -BEETHOVEN: Symphonies No. 5 in c, Op. 67 and No. 8 in F, Op. 93 TELDEC HISTORIC SERIES 4509-95515-2 -BRAHMS: Symphony No. 4 in e, Op. 98 (COA, rec. 1938) DANTE LYS 076 LEGENDARY STRAUSS RECORDINGS (NYP, rec. 1928) -R. STRAUSS: Ein Heldenleben, oP. 40 in RCA 09026-60929-2 [Part of a larger set containing pioneering American Strauss recordings by Koussevitzky, Beecham, Stokowski and Stock: this is a set which belongs in the collection of any admirer of Richard Strauss.] -R. STRAUSS: Ein Heldenleben, Op. 40; Don Juan, Op. 20 (COA, rec. 1941) TELDEC HISTORIC SERIES 1J 76441 [As the dedicatee of this work, it is not surprising that Mengelberg might have wanted to record it again. The New York recording is generally considered superior.] WILLEM MENGELBERG CONDUCTS PETER ILICH TCHAIKOVSKY (COA, rec. 1928-1937) -Romeo and Juliet Overture; Symphonies No. 4 in f, Op. 36, No. 5 in e, Op. 64 (1928 recording) and No. 6 in b, Op. 74 (1937 recording); Waltz from Serenade for Strings MUSIC & ARTS MUA 809 [2 discs] MENGELBERG - TCHAIKOVSKY, Vol. 1 -TCHAIKOVSKY: Symphony No. 4 in f, Op. 36; Romeo and Juliet Overture (COA, rec. 1929-30) DANTE LYS 132 [I have not heard this disc, but reviewers have generally found Dante's original 78rpm transfers to be of lesser quality than those offered by Biddulph or Pearl. The advantage here is that you do not have to buy a multiple-disc set to hear these fascinating interpretations. The same comments apply below.] MENGELBERG - TCHAIKOVSKY, Vol. 2 -TCHAIKOVSKY: Symphony No. 5 in e, Op. 64; Serenade for Strings, Op. 48 (COA, rec. 1938) DANTE LYS 137 WILLEM MENGELBERG - THE CONCERTGEBOUW ORCHESTRA 1940-41 -TCHAIKOVSKY: Symphony No. 6 in b, Op. 74 "Pathetique"; Overture 1812, Op. 49 TELDEC HISTORIC 4509-93673-2 [This disc offers Mengelberg's extremely rare 1941 re-recording of the Tchaikovsky 6th, which differs from the widely-circulated 1937 recording in offering a more expansive final movement.]
What is below is only a fraction of what ought to be available, and for that reason I also provide a separate list of currently unavailable CDs, series formerly issued by Philips and Seven Seas, which feature live concert recordings. It should be noted, however, that some of the discs below include performances found in previous series, although these new releases may also incorporate new material.
The collections are grouped together by record company.
MUSIC & ARTS WILLEM MEMGELBERG - PUBLIC PERFORMANCES 1938-1940 -DVORAK: Violin Concerto in a, Op. 53 (Maria Neuss, violin) -TCHAIKOVSKY: Symphony No. 5 in e, Op. 64 -BEETHOVEN: Symphony No. 3 in e-flat, Op. 55; Egmont, Op. 84: Overture -DEBUSSY: Fantasie for Piano and Orchestra (Walter Gieseking, piano) -BRAHMS: Symphony No. 3 in f, Op. 90; Violin concerto in d, Op. 77 (Herman Krebbers, violin) -SCHUBERT: Arpeggione Sonata in a, D. 821 (Gaspar Cassado, cello) -BRUCH: Violin Concerto No. 1 in g (Guilia Bustabo, violin) -WAGNER: Tannhauser Overture MUSIC & ARTS MUA 780 [4 discs] [The above set contains performances previously released in Japan on King Rcords and imported into the U.S. on the Seven Seas label. There are some differences in sonic balance and a portion of the Tchikovsky 5th missing in earlier issues has been restored. Reviews suggest that the source material was not always in the best sound, but this set is otherwise a good introduction to the later career of Mengelberg.] -BEETHOVEN: Symphony No. 9 in d, Op. 125 "Choral" (COA, rec. 1938) with Willem Ravelli (bass), Suze Luger (alto), To van der Slys (sop.), Louis van Tulder (ten.) MUSIC & ARTS MUA 918 -RACHMANINOFF: Piano Concertos No. 2 in c, Op. 18 and No. 3 in d, Op. 30 (Walter Gieseking, piano, COA, rec. 1940) MUSIC & ARTS CD 250 ARCHIV DOCUMENTS Perhaps one of the most remarkable personal acts of devotion to the art of a deceased conductor is to be found in record dealer Michael G. Thomas's issue of LPs, and now CD's, of (mostly) live Mengelberg performances. THE MENGELBERG EDITION Vol. 1 -BRAHMS: Symphony No. 3 in f, Op. 90 (COA, rec. 1944) -DEBUSSY: Prelude a l' apres-midi d'un faune -FRANCK: Psyche and Eros -LISZT: Les Preludes ARCHIV DOCUMENTS ADCD 107 [Brahms also found in MUSIC & ARTS CD 780; the Debussy, Franck and Lizst are taken from commerical 78's, rec. 1929-1938.] THE MENGELBERG EDITION Vol. 2 -TCHAIKOVSKY: Symphony No. 6 in b, Op. 74 "Pathetique" (COA, rec. 1941) -GRIEG: Peer Gynt Suite No.1, Op. 46 (COA, rec. 1943) -BORODIN: In the Steppes of Central Asia (COA, rec. 1941) ARCHIV DOCUMENTS ADCD 108 [Only the Grieg is "live," but this is nonetheless an interesting disc because it offers the extrmely rare 1941 Tchaikovsky 6th, also available on Teldec.] THE MENGELBERG EDITION Vol. 3 -J.S. BACH: St Matthew Passion - exc (COA, rec. 1936) -MOZART: Exsultate Jubilate, K. 158a (Ria Ginster, sop.) -SCHUBERT: Lieder & Arias from Rosamunde (Betty van den Bosch, sop.) -WEBER: Oberon: Overture and "Ocean, du Ungenheur" (Act 2 #12) Ruth Horna (sop.), Amsterdam Toonkunst Choir (rec. 1940, 1943) -PUCCINI: Un bel di... (Grace Moore, sop.) (COA, rec. 1936) -Mengelberg: Speech ARCHIV DOCUMENTS ADCD 109 [This disc focuses on Mengelberg as a vocal accompanist, and includes a chance to hear him speak briefly from the stage of the Concertgebouw.] THE MENGELBERG EDITION Vol. 4 -HINDEMITH: Violin Concerto (First performance, Ferdinand Helmann, violin) (COA, rec. 1940) ARCHIV DOCUMENTS ADCD 110 [The disc also includes Igor Stravinsky rehearsing the Boston Symphony in "Baisser de la Fee."] THE MENGELBERG EDITION Vol. 5 -MENDELSSOHN: Midsummer Nights Dream-Overture, Nocturne and Scherzo (BBC, rec. 1938 -CHERUBINI: Anacreon: Overture (BBC, rec. 1938 -BEETHOVEN: Symphony No.7 (BRO, rec. 1943) ARCHIV DOCUMENTS ADCD 111 (BCC, BRO) [This highly unusual disc offers Mengelberg in front of orchestras other than the Concertgebouw.] THE MENGELBERG EDITION Vol. 6 -J.S. BACH: Orchestral Suite No.2 (COA, rec. 1939); Clavier Concerto No.5 in f (Agi Jambor, piano) (COA, rec. 1939) -VIVALDI: Concerto grosso in a, Op. 3 No. 8 (COA, rec. 1937) -J.C. BACH: Piano Concerto No.4 (Marinus Flipse, piano) (COA, rec. 1943) -MOZART: Serenade No. 13, K. 525 "Eine Kleine Nachtmusik" (COA, rec. 1942) ARCHIV DOCUMENTS ADCD 112 [The Vivaldi and Mozart are taken from commercial 78's, available in other transfers, but the "live" Bach selections are new to CD.] THE MENGELBERG EDITION Vol. 7 -BEETHOVEN: Symphony No. 9 in d, Op. 125 "Choral" (COA. rec. 1938) ARCHIV DOCUMENTS ADCD 113 [This recording is also available from Music & Arts.] THE MENGELBERG EDITION Vol. 8 [currently out of print] -LISZT: Piano Concerto No. 1 (Marinus flipse, piano) (COA, rec. 1944) -CHOPIN: Piano Concerto No. 2 (Theo van der Pas, piano) (COA, rec. 1943) -FRANCK: Symphonic Variations (Walter Gieseking, piano) (COA, rec. 1940) -SCHUBERT: Rosamunde ballet music (COA, rec. 1941) ARCHIV DOCUMENTS ADCD 114 THE MENGELBERG EDITION Vol. 9 -KODALY: Hary Janos Suite; Variations on "The Peacock" (COA, rec. 1940, 1939) -RAVEL: Daphnis & Chloe Suite No. 2 (COA, rec. 1938) ARCHIV DOCUMENTS ADCD 115 THE MENGELBERG EDITION VOL. 10 -WAGNER: Tristan und Isolde: Prelude and Liebestod (COA, rec. 1940) -DVORAK: Cello Concerto in b, Op. 104 (Maurice Gendron, cello) (PRO, rec. 1944) -MOZART: Die Zauberflote, Overture (COA) -MAHLER: Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen (Hermann Schey, bar, rec. 1939) ARCHIV DOCUMENTS ADCD 116 THE MENGELBERG EDITION Vol. 11 A BUSTABO/MENGELBERG COLLABORATION (with Guila Bustabo, violin) -BEETHOVEN: Violin concerto in D, Op. 61 (COA, rec. 1943) -BRUCH: Violin Concerto No. 1 in g, Op. 26 (COA, rec. 1940) ARCHIV DOCUMENTS ADCD 117 Since U.S. dealers may have difficulty discovering sources for Archiv Documents and Dante CDs, I will mention that both are currently imported by JEM Music Corporation, which supplied information on the contents of the discs. They were quick to point out that they offer as well several books on Mengelberg. DANTE LYS series MENGELBERG - BRAHMS, VOL 1 -BRAHMS: Symphony No. 1 in c, Op. 69 (COA, rec. 1940); Tragic Overture, Op. 81 DANTE LYS 075 [The Tragic Overture appears to be the 78rpm studio recording.] [Henry Fogel comments: A very powerful Brahms First, more tautly knit and structured than you might expect. Yes it features "Mengelbergian" shifts of tempo and dynamics, but not as sharp as some of his performances, and extremely well integrated into a unit. This is one of the conductor's finest performances, I think.] MENGELBERG - BRAHMS, VOL. 2 -BRAHMS: Symphony No. 4 in e, Op. 98 (COA, rec. 1938); Academic Festival Overture, Op. 80 (COA, rec. 1930) DANTE LYS 076 [Despite this being a series devoted to concert recordings, these performances were taken from commercial 78's.] MENGELBERG - BRAHMS, VOL. 3 -BRAHMS: Violin Concerto in D, Op. 77 (Herman Krebbers, violin); Symphony No. 3 in F, Op. 90 (COA, rec. 1943, 1944) DANTE LYS 088 MENGELBERG - BRAHMS, VOL. 4 -BRAHMS: Ein deutsches Requiem, Op. 45 (Jo Vincent, sop., Max Kloos, bar.; Amsterdam Toonkunst Choir) (COA, rec. 1940) DANTE LYS 099 MENGELBERG - BRAHMS, VOL. 5 -BRAHMS: Symphony No. 2 in D, Op. 73; Symphony No. 3 in F, Op. 90 (COA, rec. 1939 and 1944) DANTE LYS 099 MENGELBERG - SCHUBERT -SCHUBERT: Symphony No. 8 in b, d. 759 "Unfinished"; Symphony No. 9 in C, D. 944 "The Great" (COA, rec. 1942, 1940) DANTE LYS 077 MENGELBERG - WEBER AND MENDELSSOHN -WEBER: Oberon: Overture and "Ocean, du Ungenheur" (Act 2 #12) Ruth Horna (sop.), Amsterdam Toonkunst Choir; Freischutz Overture -MENDELSSOHN: Song Without Words (unspecified); Athalie, War March of the Priests DANTE LYS O89 [This set is an odd mixing of New York acoustic, Concertgebouw electrical and concert transcriptions.] ARKADIA -DVORAK: Cello Concerto (Maurice Gendron, cello) (PRO, rec. 1944) -FRANCK: Symphony in d (?) ARKADIA 627This compilation was prepared by Brendan Wehrung, who welcomes your comments and additions.