This recording of the Brahms Doppelkonzert is from 1969. Earlier, I have written about the same work, the same cellist, but with the Concertgebouw Orchestra conducted by Bernard Haitink and in 1983. It is time for a comparison. After all, why else would I own both recordings?
In 1969 Rostropovich was in the last years of his Russian residence. His international career had just started. In 1983 on the other hand he was at the height of his American popularity. Where George Szell brings forth classical clarity in his conducting, the dark string tones of the Concertgebouw Orchestra bring forth a deeper tone, with a broader place for the soloists.
Some sources (Gramophone / BBC) write about both recordings as being a musician’s recording (Szell) versus a listener’s recording (Haitink). I can see what these writers mean with that: a musician listens differently, more analytical and with some clarity, where the casual observer might pick out different qualities. The warmer and broader tone of the Haitink version is more to my taste.