Martinon conducts some choreographic pages: elegance, passion and brio

Throughout the 1950s, Jean Martinon engraved for Decca a significant repertoire of eclectic: Russian and French music, but also some Czech pages.
Like the "Slavonic Dances" (first series, opus 46) captured with the London Symphony Orchestra in October 1958: elegant and precise interpretation, magnified by the acoustics of the Kingsway Hall.
The lively tempi sometimes seem too impetuous (1, 8), the lyrical episodes lack flexibility (the # 2 "Sousedská") but no transparency.
While the rhythmic articulation impresses with its sharpness, may seem too opulent finery.

The rest of the program does not call qu'éloge reprinted here: in 1958, Martinon was asked for two years as head of the Israel Philharmonic and recorded on May 2 choreographic works at the Mann Auditorium in Tel Aviv, representative of its ability to animate light music while giving it charm and spirit.
Clarity and subtlety for "The Skaters" by Meyerbeer, and charisma seducer for hispanisant ballet "Cid" by Massenet.
This languorous then swirling "Spaniard", one can only wanting to listen again! Irresistible!

Superb sound pickup.

Note that these recordings, and many other treasures, reappeared in the big box.