#141 The Smell of Bigger Than Life

It's a mix of pride and emotion with several moments that get you very high (2'33'' or 4'22''). The beginning is so sweet, a preparation for a shot of pathos. And the finale, oh my, what an orchestration!

Szell and The Cleveland Orchestra were already introduced here, mostly in Schumann. Their Brahms is big, too. Lovely tempo, very consistent, solid sound. Faithful.

Composer: Johannes Brahms
Work: Academic Festival Overture
Recording: Cleveland Orchestra, George Szell

#69 The Smell of Dignity

Recordings of Dvořák's Carnival Overture are typically jolly and cheered up. This one is different. It coheres to structure, it keeps its reputation. No place for drunk festivity.

Szell is concentrated, entries are explosive, everything works, brasswinds climp up–and yet, no smile in the music. As if it's not a carnival at all. Why so serious?

Composer: Antonín Dvořák
Work: Carnival Overture
Recording: The Cleveland Orchestra, George Szell

#48 The Smell of Montreux

Some smells are very personal, and this is one of them. It's from summer 1999 when I heard Manfred for the first time. John Eliot Gardiner was à la tête and the Swiss city of Montreux shined till late night.

Szell's account is not so ferocious but goes in big romantic waves and has wonderful old school sound of fifties.

Composer: Robert Schumann
Work: Manfred Overture
Recording: The Cleveland Orchestra, George Szell

#33 The Smell of Reproach

The list of things that you should've done. One by one, each of them is claimed loud and clear. Apologies are futile, The Voice is prosecuting.

Szell keeps the monotony of the charges, tempo is "lebhaft" (lively) but also kind of slow, heavy. In the apology parts, listen how the melody goes up: It's not cheerful at all. The music inevitably knows its destiny.

Composer: Robert Schumann
Work: Symphony No 4, III. Scherzo: Lebhaft
Recording: The Cleveland Orchestra, George Szell