Kertész approaches the “Unfinished” not as a tragic fragment but as a fully realized emotional journey. His reading is both lyrical and poised, avoiding exaggerated Romantic rhetoric while still plumbing the music’s deep emotional currents. The Vienna Philharmonic, renowned for its luxurious string sound and characteristic Viennese phrasing, proves an ideal partner in realizing this vision. The Sofiensaal’s acoustics, captured by Decca’s engineers at the height of analog excellence, lend a richness and depth to the performance that enhances the Vienna Philharmonic’s already luxurious tone.
Artist(s): Conductor - Istvan Kertész
Orchestra - The Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
Recording Info: Recorded at the Sofiensaal in Vienna. The sessions took place from October 7, 8, and 11, 1963
Producer: Erik Smith
Engineer: Jack Law
Sourced from a 4-track tape
Components used for Transfer: Analog: Transport - Nagra 4SJ modified with Flux Heads
Preamp - Merrill Audio Tape Preamp
Digital: Merging Hapi Analog to Digital Converter clocked by an Antelope Audio 10MX Atomic Clock
Software: Merging Pyramix v15
Power Conditioning: Shunyata Research Everest 8000 for all components
All components are grounded to Shunyata ALTAIRA Hubs
Symphony No. 8 In B Minor "Unfinished"
1 Allegro Moderato 15:30
2 Andante Con Moto 12:00
3 Overture "Des Teufels Lustschloss" 8:25
4 Overture In The Italian Style In C 6:38

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