The Art of Karl Bohm

Rating:
Summary: Come and See Karl Bohm Rehearse with an Orchestra
Review: A 63/65 B/W production.

This is interesting mainly because it contains a rehearsal session where Karl Bohm rehearsed with the orchestra: we see how he actually shaped and prepared the orchestra. His demands, his response and his style are all here. Upon seeing this, one is tempted to ask if it was pretty much the same thing for Bruno and Toscanini when they first settled in US. This DVD certainly brings memories back to those who had taken part in an orchestra before.

Bohm is a conductor with a lot of style. This time, he is not with Vienna Philharmonic nor Berlin Philharmonic but Toronto Symphony. With a great conductor, just like Bruno or Toscanini, we don't bother too much about the orchestra itself--it's just like a piano or an instrument to him. Don't, however, be misled by me, for the orchestra itself especially under the baton of Karl Bohm was in fact quite good. You will never have guessed that it'a an orchestra from Canada!

Included in this DVD are three arias sang by Jon Vickers, a world famous tenor with a voice and style particularly well suited to German lieders. He sang from a stage at least 2 meters behind and above the members of the orchestra. Such a powerful voice!

The recorded sound is OK and the whole running time is 117 min. Highly recommended to Karl Bohm's fans.