ARTURO TOSCANINI

The Complete Concerts

27 April 1940

Grieg: Holberg Suite

Sibelius: Symphony No. 4

Franck: Les Eolides

Ravel: La Valse

9 September 1943

MUSIC FOR FREEDOM

25 April 1940

Rehearsal

Sibelius: Symphony No. 4

This new Guild Historical release offers Toscanini’s performance of certain works he never commercially recorded, reproduced in very good sound, together with a lengthy rehearsal portion of Sibelius’ austere, complex symphony. Commentary by Gene Hamilton recreates the original occasion of this broadcast with great vividity. In addition, a complete concert that Toscanini scheduled in celebration of the liberation of Italy is also offered. This includes the first movement of the Beethoven Fifth, Rossini’s William Tell Overture , the Garabaldi War Hymn and the Star Spangled Banner . With extensive program notes by Robert Matthew-Walker and photos by the late Robert Hupka, this is an appealing entry in the documentation Guild is making to the Toscanini Broadcast Legacy.