Charles Münch (September 26, 1891 – November 6, 1968) was a French conductor and violinist best known for leading the Boston Symphony Orchestra as its music director.

Biography

Münch was born in Straßburg, Germany, (now France, since 1919) He was the fifth in a family of six children. Although his first ambition was to be a locomotive engineer, he studied violin at the Strasbourg Conservatoire. His father, Ernest Münch, was a professor of organ at the Conservatoire and performed at the cathedral. His father also taught and directed an orchestra with his son in the second violins. After receiving his diploma in 1912, Charles studied with Carl Flesch in Berlin and Lucien Capet at the Conservatoire de Paris. He was conscripted into the German army in World War I, serving as a sergeant gunner. He was gassed at Péronne and wounded at Verdun.

In 1920 he became professor of violin at the Strasbourg Conservatoire and assistant concertmaster at the Strasbourg Orchestra under Joseph Guy Ropartz, who directed the conservatory. In the early 1920s he was concertmaster for Hermann Abendroth's Gürzenich Orchestra in Cologne. He became concertmaster of the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra under Wilhelm Furtwängler and Bruno Walter from 1926 to 1933.

At the age of 41, Münch made his conducting debut in Paris on November 1, 1932. Münch's fiancée, Geneviève Maury, granddaughter of a founder of the Nestlé Chocolate Company, rented the hall and hired the Straram Orchestra. She was also an accomplished translator of Thomas Mann.

Following this success, he conducted the Concerts Siohan, the Lamoureux Orchestra, the new Orchestre Symphonique de Paris, the Biarritz Orchestra (Summer 1933), the Société Philharmonique de Paris (1935 to 1938), and the Orchestre de la Société des Concerts du Conservatoire (1937 to 1946). He became known as a champion of Hector Berlioz, and befriended Arthur Honegger, Albert Roussel, and Francis Poulenc. During these years, Münch gave first performances of works by Honegger, Jean Roger-Ducasse, Joseph Guy Ropartz, Roussel, and Florent Schmitt. He became director of the Société Philharmonique de Paris in 1938 and taught conducting at the Conservatoire de Paris from 1937 to 1945.

He remained in France conducting the Conservatoire Orchestra during the German occupation, believing it best to maintain the morale of the French people. He refused conducting engagements in Germany and also refused to perform contemporary German works. He protected members of his orchestra from the Gestapo and contributed from his income to the French Resistance. For this, he received the Légion d'honneur with the red ribbon in 1945 and the degree of Commandeur in 1952.

In Boston

Münch made his début with the Boston Symphony Orchestra on December 27, 1946. He was its Music Director from 1949 to 1962. Münch was also Director of the Berkshire Music Festival and Berkshire Music Center (Tanglewood) from 1951 through 1962. He led relaxed rehearsals which orchestra members appreciated after the authoritarian Serge Koussevitzky. Münch also received honorary degrees from Boston University, Harvard University, and Brandeis University.

He excelled in the modern French repertoire, especially Claude Debussy and Maurice Ravel, and was considered to be an authoritative performer of Hector Berlioz. However, Münch's programs also regularly featured works by composers such as Bach, Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Schumann, Brahms, and Wagner. His thirteen year tenure in Boston included 39 world premieres, 17 American first performances, and offered audiences 168 contemporary works. 14 of these premieres were works commissioned by the Boston Symphony and the Koussevitzky Music Foundation to celebrate the Orchestra's 75th Anniversary in 1956. (A 15th commission was never completed or performed.)

Münch invited former music director of the Boston Symphony Pierre Monteux to guest conduct, record, and tour with the Boston Symphony after an absence of more than 25 years. Guest conductors became an integral part of the Boston Symphony's programming, both in Boston and at Tanglewood, under Münch.

Münch led the Boston Symphony on its first transcontinental tour of the United States in 1953. He became the first conductor to take them on tour overseas: Europe in 1952 and 1956, and East Asia and Australia in 1960. During the 1956 tour, the Boston Symphony was the first American orchestra to perform in the Soviet Union.

The Boston Symphony under Münch made a series of recordings for RCA Victor beginning in 1949 and from 1954 to 1962, released in both monaural and stereophonic versions.

Selections from Boston Symphony rehearsals under Leonard Bernstein, Koussevitzky, and Münch were broadcast nationally on the NBC Radio Network from 1948-1951. NBC carried portions of the Orchestra's performances from 1955-1957. Beginning in 1951, the Orchestra was broadcast over local radio stations in Boston area. Boston Symphony performances under Münch and guest conductors were disseminated regionally, nationally, and internationally through the Boston Symphony Transcription Trust starting in 1957. Under Münch, the Boston Symphony appeared on television.

Orchestre de Paris

Münch returned to France and in 1963 became president of the École Normale de Musique. He was also named president of the Guilde Française des Artistes Solistes. During the 1960s, Münch appeared regularly as a guest conductor throughout America, Europe, and Japan. In 1967, at the request of France’s Minister of Culture, André Malraux, he founded the first full-time salaried French orchestra, the Orchestre de Paris, and conducted its first concert on November 14, 1967. He died of a heart attack suffered at his hotel in Richmond, Virginia the following year while on an American tour with his new orchestra. EMI recorded his final sessions, including Ravel's Piano Concerto in G, with this orchestra, and released them posthumously.

Recordings

Münch's discography is extensive both in Boston on RCA Victor, and at his European posts and guest conducting on various labels, including English Decca, EMI, Nonesuch, Erato and Audivis-Valois.

He began making records in Paris before the war, for EMI. Münch then made a renowned series of Decca Full Frequency Range Recordings (FRRR) in the late 1940s. After several recordings with the New York Philharmonic for Columbia, Münch began making recordings for RCA Victor soon after his arrival in Boston as Music Director. These included memorable Berlioz, Honegger, Roussel, and Saint-Saens's tapings.

His first stereophonic recording with the Boston Symphony, in Boston's Symphony Hall in February 1954, was devoted to a complete version of The Damnation of Faust by Hector Berlioz and was made simultaneously in monaural and experimental stereophonic sound, although only the complete score was released in monaural version. The stereo tape survives only fragmentarily. The monural version of this recording was added to the Library of Congress's national registry of sound.

Upon Münch's return to Paris, he made Erato disks with the Orchestre Lamoureux, and with the Orchestre de Paris he again recorded for EMI. He also made recordings for a number of other companies including Decca/London.

A number of Münch's recordings have been available continuously since their original releases such as Saint-Saens's Organ Symphony and Ravel's Daphnis and Chloe. RCA reissued in a multi-disc set, Munch Conducts Berlioz, including all of their Berlioz recordings by Münch. BMG/Japan has issued two different editions of Münch's recordings on CD, 1998 and 2006. The latter was 41 CDs and encompassed all but a handful of Münch recordings with the Boston Symphony. It made available a number of recordings from the first ten years of Münch's tenure in Boston for the first time in more than 50 years.

Partial List of Recordings

Recordings made with the Amsterdam Concertgebouw Orchestra for Decca:

• 1948 Johannes Brahms: Violin Concerto in D Minor, Op.77 Violinist: Ossy Renardy
• 1948 Camille Saint-Saëns: Danse macabre

Recording made with the Bavarian Radio and Television Orchestra for Deutsche Grammophon:

• 1968 Hector Berlioz: Requiem, Op. 5 with the Bavarian Radio and Television Orchestra Chorus and Soloist: Peter Schreier

Broadcasts from Moscow of the Boston Symphony Orchestra released by Ars Nova:

• 1956 Paul Dukas: The Sorcerer's Apprentice
• 1956 Joseph Haydn: Symphony No. 102 in B-flat Major
• 1956 Maurice Ravel: Daphnis et Chloé, Suite No. 2, same as Arte release
• 1956 Richard Strauss: Don Juan, Op. 20

Broadcast from Moscow of the Boston Symphony Orchestra released by Arte:

• 1956 Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 3 in E-Flat Major, Op. 55
• 1956 Maurice Ravel: Daphnis et Chloé, Suite No. 2, same as Arts Nova release
• 1956 Robert Schumann: Symphony No. 2 in C Major, Op. 61, Adagio

Broadcasts of the Boston Symphony Orchestra from Symphony Hall Centennial Set released by the Boston Symphony Orchestra:

• 1953 Daniel Auber: La Meuette de Portici Overture, same as West Hill Radio Archives release
• 1953 Sergei Prokofiev: Love for Three Oranges March and Scherzo
• 1958 Albert Roussel: Suite in F Op. 33
• 1959 Gabriel Faure: Penelope Overture, same as Music & Arts release
• 1959 César Franck: Le Chasseur Maudit (The Accursed Hunter)
• 1962 Claude Debussy: La Mer
• 1962 Maurice Ravel: La Valse

Broadcast of the Boston Symphony Orchestra released by Living Stage:

• 1958 Arthur Honegger: Symphony No. 3

Broadcasts of the Boston Symphony Orchestra released by Memories:

• 1952 Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Symphony No. 41 in C, K.551, Jupiter, same as West Hill Radio Archives release
• 1954 Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Symphony No. 31 in D major, K.297, Paris
• 1956 Ludwig van Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 3 in c, Op. 37 with Clara Haskil, same West Hill Radio Archives and Music & Arts releases
• 1958 Anton Bruckner: Symphony No. 7
• 195? Johannes Brahms: Violin Concerto in D Minor, Op.77 Violinist: Joseph Szigeti

Broadcast from Prague of the Boston Symphony Orchestra released by Multisonic:

• 1956 Johannes Brahms: Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 73
• 1956 Arthur Honegger: Symphony No. 3

Broadcasts of the Boston Symphony Orchestra released by Music & Arts:

• 1956 Ludwig van Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 3 in c, Op. 37 with Clara Haskil, same as Memories and West Hill Radio Archives releases
• 1956 Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 9 in E-Flat, K.271 with Clara Haskil
• 1959 Gabriel Faure: Pelleas et Melisande Suite, Op. 80
• 1959 Gabriel Faure: Penelope Overture, same as BSO release
• 1959 César Franck: Le Chasseur Maudit (The Accursed Hunter)
• 1960 Gabriel Faure: Balard for Piano and Orchestra with Niceole Henriot-Schweitzer
• 1961 Cesar Franck: Symphonic Variations with Valdo Perlemuter
• 1961 Cesar Franck: Symphony in D Minor
• 1961 Maurice Ravel: Daphnis et Chloé, with chorus of Berkshire Festival
• 1962 Claude Debussy: Nocturnes
• 1962 Claude Debussy: Printemps
• 1962 Claude Debussy: La Mer
• 1962 Maurice Ravel: La Valse

Broadcast of the Boston Symphony Orchestra released by Tahra:

• 1951 Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto in D Major, Op.35, (1st movement only) Violinist: Michele Auclair

Broadcasts of the Boston Symphony Orchestra released by West Hill Radio Archives:

• 1951 Richard Strauss: Tod und Verklärung
• 1952 Ludwig von Beethoven: Concerto No. 5 in E-flat, Emperor, Pianist: Lelia Gousseau
• 1952 Artur Honegger: La Danse des Morts, Soloist: Betty Allen, Mariquita Moll, Arnold Moss and Gérard Souzay with New England Conservatory Chorus
• 1952 Felix Mendelssohn; Symphony No. 4 in A, Italian
• 1952 Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Symphony No. 41 in C, K.551. Jupiter, same as Memories release
• 1952 Franz Schubert: Symphony No. 5 in B-flat
• 1952 Franz Schubert: Symphony No. 8 in b, Unfinished
• 1952 Richard Wagner: Tristan and Islode – Prelude & Liebestod
• 1953 Daniel Auber: La Meuette de Portici Overture, same as BSO release
• 1953 Ludwig von Beethoven: Symphony No. 2 in D;
• 1953 Ludwig von Beethoven: Symphony No. 3 in E-flat, Eroica
• 1953 Johannes Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat, Pianist: Claudio Arrau
• 1953 Claude Debussy: Ibéria
• 1953 Edouard Lalo: Symphonie Espagnole, (Missing Movement III), Violinist: Ruth Posselt
• 1953 Maurice Ravel: Le Tombeau de Couperin
• 1953 Richard Strauss: Divertimento (after Couperin)
• 1953 Richard Wagner: Die Meistersinger – Act III Excerpts
• 1954 Ludwig von Beethoven: Symphony No.7 in A, Op.92
• 1954 Ludwig von Beethoven: Violin Concerto in D, Op.61, Violinist: Zino Francescatti
• 1954 Johannes Brahms: Variations on a Theme by Haydn
• 1954 Antonin Dvorák: Symphony No.9 in E minor, From the New World, Op.95
• 1954 Jacques Ibert: Flute Concerto, Flutist: Doriot Anthony Dwyer
• 1954 Camille Saint-Saëns: Symphony No. 3 in c, Organist: E. Power Biggs
• 1954 Richard Strauss: All ersellen, Wiegenlied, Morgen, Ständchen, Soprano: Irmgard Seefried
• 1954 Richard Wagner: Eine Faust Overture
• 1955 Ludwig von Beethoven: Violin Concerto in D, Op.61, Violinist: Jascha Heifetz
• 1955 Ludwig von Beethoven: Die Weihe des Hauses, Op.124: Overture
• 1955 Johannes Brahms: Symphony No.2 in D, Op.73 (9/30/55)
• 1955 Robert Schumann: Symphony No. 2 in C
• 1955 Richard Strauss: Don Juan, Op.20
• 1956 Ludwig von Beethoven: Leonore Overture No. 2, Op.72
• 1956 Ludwig von Beethoven: Piano Concerto No.3 in C minor, Op.37, Pianist: Clara Haskil
• 1956 Ludwig von Beethoven: Symphony No.3 Eroica in E
• 1956 Ludwig von Beethoven: Symphony No.6 Pastoral in F, Op.68
• 1956 Johannes Brahms: Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No.1 in D minor, Op.15, Pianist: Rudolph Serkin
• 1956 Johannes Brahms: Concerto for Violin, Cello and Orchestra in A minor, Violinist: Zino Francescatti and Cellist: Samuel Mayes
• 1956 Robert Schumann: Symphony No.4 in D minor, Op.120
• 1957 Ludwig von Beethoven: Piano Concerto No.5 Emperor in E flat, Op.73. Pianist: Claudio Arrau
• 1957 Johannes Brahms: Academic Festival Overture, Op.80
• 1957 Robert Schumann: Cello Concerto in A minor, Op.129, Cellist: Pierre Fournier
• 1957 Richard Strauss: Ein Heldenleben, Violinist: Richard Burgin

Recordings made with the Boston Symphony Orchestra for RCA Records:

• 1949 Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 7 in A Major, Op. 92, same as Tahra release
• 1949 Ludwig van Beethoven: Gratulations Menuet W.o.O.3, same as Tahra release
• 1949 Franz Schubert: Symphony No. 2 in B-flat Major, D.125
• 1949 Hector Berlioz: Beatrice et Benedict Overture
• 1950 Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 1 in C Major, Op. 15
• 1950 Johannes Brahms: Symphony No. 4 in E Minor, Op. 98
• 1950 Joseph Haydn: Symphony No. 103 in E-flat Major, Hob.I-103
• 1950 Joseph Haydn: Symphony No. 104 in D Major, Hob.I-104
• 1950 Georg Friedrich Handel arranged by Sir Hamilton Harty: Water Music Suite
• 1950 Maurice Ravel: Rapsodie Espagnole
• 1950 Maurice Ravel: La Valse
• 1950 Edouard Lalo: Le Roi D'Ys Overture
• 1951 Max Bruch: Violin Concerto No. 1 in G Minor, Op.26 Violinist: Yehudi Menhuin
• 1951 Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Le Nozze di Figaro Overture
• 1951 Camille Saint-Saëns: La Princesse Jaune Overture
• 1951 Robert Schumann: Symphony No. 1 in B-flat Major, Op. 38, Spring
• 1951 Robert Schumann: Genoveva Overture, Op. 81
• 1952 Johannes Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat, Op. 98 Pianist: Arthur Rubenstein
• 1952 Arthur Honegger: Symphony No. 5, Di tre Re
• 1952 Maurice Ravel: Pavane pour une Infante Defunte
• 1952 Albert Roussel: Bacchus et Adriane, Suite No. 2
• 1953 Hector Berlioz: Romeo and Juliet, Op. 17 with the Harvard Glee Club and Radcliffe Choral Society and Soloists: Margaret Roggero, Leslie Chabay, and Yi-Kwei Sze
• 1953 Arthur Honegger: Symphony No. 2
• 1953 Richard Strauss: Don Quixote, Op.35 Cellist: Gregor Piatigorsky, Violist: Joseph de Pasquale, and Violinist: Richard Burgin
• 1953 Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto in D Major, Op.35 Violinist: Nathan Milstein
• 1954 Hector Berlioz: La damnation de Faust with the Harvard Glee Club and Radcliffe Choral Society and Soloists Suzanne Danco, David Poleri, Martial Singher and Donald Gramm (added to the National Recording Registry for 2005)
• 1954 Hector Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique
• 1954 Frederic Chopin: Piano Concerto No. 2 in f Minor, Op. 21 Pianist: Alexander Brailowsky
• 1954 Gian Carlo Menotti: Violin Concerto Violinist: Tossy Spivakovsky
• 1954 Camille Saint-Saens: Piano Concerto No. 4 in C Minor, Op. 44 Pianist: Alexander Brailowsky
• 1955 Ludwig van Beethoven: Violin Concerto Violinist: Jascha Heifetz
• 1955 Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 5 in C Minor, Op. 67
• 1955 Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 6 in C Minor, Op. 68
• 1955 Hector Berlioz: Nuits d'ete with Soloist Victoria de los Angeles
• 1955 Johannes Brahms: Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 73
• 1955 Johannes Brahms: Tragic Overture, Op. 81
• 1955 Ernest Chausson: Poeme Violinist: David Oistrakh
• 1955 Claude Debussy: La Damoiselle Elue with the Radcliffe Choral Society Soloists Victoria de los Angeles and Carol Smith
• 1955 Maurice Ravel: Daphnis et Chloé, with the New England Conservatory Chorus
• 1955 Maurice Ravel: La Valse
• 1955 Camille Saint-Saëns: Introduction and Rondo Caproccioso Violinist: David Oistrakh
• 1955 Franz Schubert: Symphony No. 8 in B minor, D 759 The Unfinished
• 1955 Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 4 in F Minor, Op.36
• 1956 Ludwig van Beethoven: Coriolan Overture, Op. 62
• 1956 Ludwig van Beethoven: Fidelio Overture, Op. 72b
• 1956 Ludwig van Beethoven: Leonore Overture No. 1, Op. 138
• 1956 Ludwig van Beethoven: Leonore Overture No. 2, Op. 72
• 1956 Ludwig van Beethoven: Leonore Overture No. 3, Op. 72a
• 1956 Hector Berlioz: L'Enfance du Christ (issued in mono only on LP; issued in stereo on CD), with the New England Conservatory Chorus and soloists Florence Kopleff, Giorgio Tozzi, Cesare Valletti and Gerard Souzay
• 1956 Johannes Brahms: Symphony No. 1 in C Minor, Op. 68
• 1956 Claude Debussy: La Mer
• 1956 Claude Debussy: Le Maytyre de Saint Sebastien with the New England Conservatory Chorus Soloists Florence Kopleff, Catherine Akos, Phyllis Curtin, and Charles Munch
• 1956 Claude Debussy: Prelude a l'apres-midi d'un faune with Flutist Doriot Anthony Dwyer
• 1956 Bohuslav Martinu: Symphony No. 6 Fantaisies Symphoniques
• 1956 Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Mozart at Tanglewood: Clarinet Concerto, and Quintet, with Clarinetist: Benny Goodman, Cellist: Samuel Mayes, Violist: Joseph de Pasquale, and Violinist: Richard Burgin and Alfred Krips
• 1956 Walter Piston: Symphony No. 6
• 1956 Maurice Ravel: Bolero
• 1956 Maurice Ravel: Rapsodie Espagnole
• 1956 Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: Francesca da Rimini, Op.32
• 1956 Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture
• 1957 Johann Sebastian Bach: Brandenburg Concertos No.1 - 6, BWV1046-1051
• 1957 Samuel Barber: Medea's Meditation and Dance of Vengeance, Op. 23a
• 1957 Samuel Barber: Adagio for Strings, Op. 11
• 1957 Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 3 in E-Flat Major, Op. 55
• 1957 Ernst Bloch: Schelomo Cellist: Gregor Piatigorsky
• 1957 Claude Debussy: Images pour orchestre
• 1957 Paul Dukas: The Sorcerer's Apprentice
• 1957 Edward Elgar: Introduction and Allegro for Strings, Op. 47
• 1957 Cesar Franck: Symphony in D Minor
• 1957 Felix Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 3
• 1957 Felix Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 5
• 1957 Sergei Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No. 2 in G Minor, Op. 16 Pianist: Nicole Henriot-Schweitzer
• 1957 Sergei Prokofiev: Romeo and Juliet - excerpts, Op. 64a/b and Op. 101
• 1957 Sergei Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 3 in D Minor, Op. 30 Pianist: Byron Janis
• 1957 Camille Saint-Saëns: Omphale's Spinning Wheel, Op. 31
• 1957 Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: Serenade for Strings, Op. 48
• 1957 William Walton: Cello Concerto Cellist: Gregor Piatigorsky
• 1957 Richard Wagner: Gotterdammerung - Brunhilde's Immolation Soloist: Eileen Farrell
• 1957 Richard Wagner: Gotterdammerung - Siegfried's Rhine Journey
• 1957 Richard Wagner: Tannhauser - Overture and Bacchanale (Paris Version)
• 1957 Richard Wagner: Tristan and Isolde - Prelude and Liebestod Soloist: Eileen Farrell
• 1957 Richard Wagner: Die Walkure - The Magic Fire Music
• 1958 Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 8 in F Major, Op. 93
• 1958 Hector Berlioz: Beatrice et Benedict Overture
• 1958 Hector Berlioz: Le carnaval romain Overture, Op. 9
• 1958 Hector Berlioz: Le corsaire Overture, Op. 21
• 1954 Hector Berlioz: Harold in Italy, Op. 16, Violist: William Primrose
• 1958 Easley Blackwood: Symphony No. 1
• 1958 Johannes Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 1 in D Minor, Op. 15 Pianist: Gary Graffman
• 1958 Vincent d'Indy: Symphonie sur un chant montagnard français (Symphony on a French Mountain Air) Pianist: Nicole Henriot-Schweitzer (the Conductor's niece)
• 1958 Alexei Haieff: Symphony No. 2
• 1958 Gustav Mahler: Kindertotenlieder Soloist: Maureen Forrester
• 1958 Gustav Mahler: Songs of the Wayfarer Soloist: Maureen Forrester
• 1958 Maurice Ravel: Mother Goose Suite
• 1958 Maurice Ravel: Piano Concerto in G Major Pianist: Nicole Henriot-Schweitzer
• 1958 Felix Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 4
• 1958 Franz Schubert: Symphony No. 9, D 944 The Great
• 1958 Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 9 in D Minor, Op. 125 The Choral with the New England Conservatory Chorus and soloists Leontyne Price, Maureen Forrester, David Poleri, and Giorgio Tozzi
• 1959 Hector Berlioz: Benvenuto Cellini Overture, Op. 23
• 1959 Hector Berlioz: Requiem, Op. 5 with the New England Conservatory Chorus and Soloist: Léopold Simoneau
• 1959 Hector Berlioz: Les Troyens - Royal Hunt and Storm Music
• 1959 Felix Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto Violinist: Jascha Heifetz
• 1957 Sergei Prokofiev: Violin Concerto No. 2 in G Minor, Op. 63 Violinist: Jascha Heifetz
• 1959 Robert Schumann: Symphony No. 1 in B-flat Major, Op. 38, Spring
• 1959 Robert Schumann: Manfred Overture, Op. 115
• 1959 Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto in D Major, Op.35 Violinist: Henryk Szeryng.
• 1959 Camille Saint-Saëns: Symphony No. 3 Organist: Berj Zamkochian
• 1959 Johann Sebastian Bach: Violin Concerto No.1, BWV1041, Violinist: Jamie Laredo
• 1960 Ludwig van Beethoven: Creatures of Prometheus - Excerpts
• 1960 Ludwig van Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 1 in C Major, Op. 15 Pianist: Sviatoslav Richter
• 1960 Frederic Chopin: Piano Concerto No. 1 in C Minor, Op. 11 Pianist: Gary Graffman
• 1960 Antonin Dvorak: Cello Concerto in B Minor, Op. 104 Cellist: Gregor Piatigorsky
• 1960 Felix Mendelssohn: Capriccio Brillant in B Minor, Op. 22 Pianist: Gary Graffman
• 1960 Felix Mendelssohn: Octet - Scherzo in E-flat Major, Op. 20, arranged for strings
• 1960 Darius Milhaud La Creation du Monde Op. 81
• 1960 Darius Milhaud Suite Provencale Op. 152b
• 1960 Francis Poulenc: Concerto for Organ, Strings, and Timpani Organist: Berj Zamkochian and Timpanist: Everett Firth
• 1960 Franz Schubert: Symphony No. 2 in B-flat Major, D.125
• 1960 Igor Stravinsky Jeu de Cartes
• 1961 Hector Berlioz: Romeo and Juliet, Op. 17 with the New England Conservatory Chorus and Soloists: Rosalind Elias, Cesare Valetti, and Giorgio Tozzi
• 1961 Antonin Dvorak: Symphony No. 8 in G Major, Op. 88
• 1961 Maurice Ravel: Daphnis et Chloé, with the New England Conservatory Chorus
• 1961 Richard Strauss: Till Eulenspiegel's Merry Pranks, Op. 28
• 1961 Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture
• 1962 Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 6 in B Minor, Op.74
• 1962 Hector Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique
• 1962 Ernest Chausson: Symphony
• 1962 Claude Debussy: Nocturnes - Nuages and Fetes
• 1962 Claude Debussy: Printemps
• 1962 Claude Debussy: Prelude a l'apres-midi d'un faune Flutist: Doriot Anthony Dwyer
• 1962 César Franck: Le Chasseur Maudit (The Accursed Hunter)
• 1962 Maurice Ravel: Bolero
• 1962 Maurice Ravel: La Valse
• 1962 Maurice Ravel: Pavane pour une Infante Defunte
• 19?? Robert Schumann: Piano Concerto, Pianist: Van Cliburn (Never Issued)

Broadcasts of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra released by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra's From the Archives Series:

• 1963 Jean-Phillippe Rameau orchestrated by Vincent D'Indy: Dardanus Suite
• 1966 Albert Roussel: Bacchus et Adriane, Suite No. 2
• 1967 Albert Roussel: Symphony No. 3 in G Minor, Op. 42

Recording made with the Czech Philharmonic for Multisonic:

• 1957 Arthur Honegger: Symphony No. 2

Recording made with the Czech Philharmonic for Praga:

• 1957 César Franck: Symphony in D minor

Recording made with freelance orchestra of London musicians for HMV

• 1935 Camille Saint-Saens: Piano Concerto No. 4 in C Minor, Op. 44 Pianist: Alfred Cortot

Recording made with freelance orchestra of Paris musicians for HMV

• 1941 Georg M. Hoffman: Meine Seele Ruhmt und Priest Solist: Pierre Bernac
• 19?? Antonio Vivaldi orchestrated by Dandelot: Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 3, No. 9, Violinist: D. Soriano
• 19?? Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Violin Concerto No. 7 in D major, K. 217a, Violinist: D. Soriano

Recording made with the Hungarian Radio and Television Orchestra for Phillips

• 1966 Hector Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique

Recordings made with London Philharmonique for Decca:

• 1947 Albert Roussel: The Spider's Banquet
• 1947 Albert Roussel: Suite in F Op. 33
• 1947? Georges Bizet: Symphony in C
• 1947? Georges Bizet: Julie Fille de Perth - Dance bohemienne

Broadcast of the NBC Symphony released by Memories, same as Muisc & Arts set:

• 1954 Claude Debussy: Iberia
• 1954 Maurice Ravel: Le Tombeau de Couperin
• 1954 Albert Roussel: Bacchus et Adriane, Suite No. 2

Broadcast of the NBC Symphony released by Music & Arts, same as Memories set:

• 1954 Claude Debussy: Iberia
• 1954 Maurice Ravel: Le Tombeau de Couperin
• 1954 Albert Roussel: Bacchus et Adriane, Suite No. 2

Recordings made with the New Philharmonia Orchestra for Decca:

• 1966 Jacques Offenbach arranged by Manuel Rosenthal: Gaite parisienne
• 1966 Georges Bizet: L'Aresienne Suite
• 1966 Georges Bizet: Carmen Suite
• 1967 Ottorino Respighi: Fontane di Roma
• 1967 Ottorino Respighi: Pini di Roma

Recordings made with the New York Philharmonic for Columbia Records:

• 1947 Camille Saint-Saëns: Symphony No. 3. Soloist: E. Niels-Berger
• 1948 Vincent d'Indy: Symphonie sur un chant montagnard français Pianist: Robert Cassadesus
• 1948 Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 23 in C Major, KV 467 Pianist: Robert Cassadesus

Broadcast of the New York Philharmonic issued by LYS:

• 1948 Emmanuel Chabrier: Bouree Fantastique
• 1948 Vincent d'Indy: Symphonie sur un chant montagnard français Pianist: Robert Cassadesus
• 1948 Franz Liszt: Piano Concerto No. 2 Pianist: Robert Cassadesus
• 1948 Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Symphony No. 35 in D Major Haffner

Broadcasts of the New York Philharmonic released by Music & Arts:

• 1949 Ernest Chausson: Poeme Violinist: Ginette Neveu
• 1949 Maurice Ravel: Daphnis & Chloe, Suite No. 2
• 1949 Maurice Ravel: Tzigane Violinist: Ginette Neveu

Recordings made with the Orchestre de l'Association des Concerts Lamoreaux for Erato:

• 1965 Henri Dutilleux: Symphony No. 2, Le double
• 1965 Edouard Lalo: Cello Concerto in D Minor Cellist: Andre Navarra
• 1965 Albert Roussel: Suite in F Major, Op. 33
• 1965 Albert Roussel: Symphony No. 3 in G Minor, Op. 42
• 1965 Albert Roussel: Symphony No. 4 in A Major, Op. 53
• 1965 Camille Saint-Saëns: Cello Concerto No. 1 in A Minor, Op. 33 Cellist: Andre Navarra

Recordings made with the Orchestre de Paris for EMI/Angel:

• 1967 Hector Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique
• 1967 Johannes Brahms: Symphony No. 1 in C Minor, Op. 68
• 1967 Arthur Honegger: Symphony No. 2
• 1967 Maurice Ravel: Bolero
• 1967 Maurice Ravel: Daphnis et Chloé Suite No. 2
• 1968 Maurice Ravel: Pavane pour une Infante Defunte
• 1968 Maurice Ravel: Piano Concerto in G Major Pianist: Nicole Henriot-Schweitzer
• 1968 Maurice Ravel: Rapsodie Espagnole

Recordings made with the Orchestre national de France for Auvidis-Valois, previously issued on Disques Montaigne*:

• 1962 Claude Debussy: La Mer*
• 1962 Claude Debussy: Iberia*
• 1962 Claude Debussy: Fantasy for Piano and Orchestra Pianist: Nicole Henriot-Schweitzer*
• 1962 Henri Dutilleux: Symphony No. 2Le Double*
• 1962 Arthur Honegger: Symphony No. 1*
• 1962 Arthur Honegger: Le Chant de Nigamon
• 1962 Arthur Honegger: Pastorale d'ete
• 1962 Albert Roussel: Bacchus et Adriane, Suite No. 2*
• 1963 Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 7 in A Major, Op. 92
• 1963 Ludwig van Beethoven: Consecration of the House Overture, Op. 124
• 1963 Hector Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique
• 1964 Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 4 in B-flat Major, Op. 60
• 1964 Arthur Honegger: Symphony No. 2
• 1964 Arthur Honegger: Symphony No. 5, Di tre Re
• 1964 Albert Roussel: Symphony No. 3 in G Minor, Op. 42
• 1964 Jean Sibelius: Legendes, Op. 22
• 1965 Johannes Brahms: Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 73
• 1966 Hector Berlioz: Benvenuto Cellini Overture, Op. 23
• 1966 Gabriel Faure: Pelleas et Melisande Suite Op. 80
• 1966 Albert Roussel: Symphony No. 4 in A Major, Op. 53
• 1966 Albert Roussel: Bacchus et Adriane, Suite No. 2
• 1966 Robert Schumann: Symphony No. 4 in D Major, Op. 120
• 1967 Hector Berlioz: Le corsaire Overture, Op. 21
• 1967 Cesar Franck: Symphony in D Minor

Broadcast made with the Orchestre national de France for Cascavelle:

• 1953 Hector Berlioz: Romeo et Juliet Op. 17., Soloists: Irma Kolassi, Joseph Peyron, Lucien Lovano with National Orchestra Chorus of Radio France

Broadcasts of the Orchestre national de France for Euromuses:

• 1958 Florence Schmitt: Symphony No. 2
• 1962 Claude Debussy: Fantasy for Piano and Orchestra, Pianist: Nicole Henriot-Schweitzer

Recordings made with the Orchestre national de France for HMV:

• 1949 Hector Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique

Recordings made with the Orchestre national de l'O.R.T.F. for Accord:

• 1961 Henry Barraud: Symphony No. 3
• 1961 Albert Roussel: Bacchus et Adriane, Suite No. 2
• 1962 Claude Debussy: Iberia
• 1962 Claude Debussy: La Mer
• 1962 Claude Debussy: Trois Nocturnes

Recordings made with the Orchestre national de l'O.R.T.F. for Erato:

• 1967 Henri Dutilleux: Metaboles
• 1967 Arthur Honegger: Symphony No. 4 Deliciae Balisienses
• 196? Albert Roussel: Suite in F Op. 33

Broadcast made with the Orchestre national de l'O.R.T.F. for Music & Arts:

• 1951 Camille Saint-Saens: Violin Concerto No. 3 in B minor, Op. 61, Violinist: Zino Francescatti

Recordings made with the Orchestre national de l'O.R.T.F. for Turnabout(?):

• 1966 Issac Albeniz: Iberia
• 1966 Claude Debussy: Iberia
• 1966 Claude Debussy: La Mer
• 1967 Georges Bizet: Jeux d'Enfants
• 1967 Georges Bizet: Patrie Overture
• 1967 Georges Bizet: Symphony in C
• 1967 Alexander Borodin: In the Steppes of Central Asia
• 1967 Modest Mussorgsky: Khovanchina - Introduction and Persian Dance
• 1967 Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov: Golden Cockerel
• 1967 Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov: Russian Easter Festival Overture

Broadcast of the Orchestre Philharmonique de la R.T.F. for Euromuses:

• 1962 Albert Roussel: Suite in F, op. 33

Recordings made with the Orchestre de la Societe des Concerts du Conservatoire for Decca:

• 1946 Hector Berlioz: Benvenuto Cellini Overture, Op. 23
• 1946 Gabriel Faure: Pavane, Op. 50
• 1946 Cesar Franck: Symphonic Variations with Ellen Joyce
• 1946 Cesar Franck: Symphony in D Minor
• 1946 Maurice Ravel: Bolero
• 1946 Maurice Ravel: Dapnis and Chloe Suites 1 and 2
• 1946 Albert Roussel: Petite Suite Op. 39
• 1946 Albert Roussel: Suite in F
• 1946 Camille Saint-Saëns: Omphale's Spinning Wheel, Op. 31
• 1947 Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 8 in F Major,
• 1947 Claude Debussy: Iberia
• 1947 Claude Debussy: Berecuse Heroique
• 1947 Vincent d'Indy: Fervaal Prelude, Op. 40
• 1947 Gabriel Faure: Pelleas et Melisande Suite, Op. 80
• 1947 Felix Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 5, "Reformation
• 1947 Serge Prokofiev: Symphony No. 1, Op. 25, The Classical
• 1948 Hector Berlioz: Le corsaire Overture, Op. 21
• 1948 Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 6 in B Minor, Op.74
• 1949 Hector Berlioz: Romeo and Juliet excerpts, Op. 9
• 1949 Hector Berlioz: Les Troyens - Royal Hunt and Storm Music
• 1949 Maurice Ravel: Piano Concerto, Pianist: Nicole Henriot-Schweitzer

Recordings made with the Orchestre de la Societe des Concerts du Conservatoire for HMV:

• 1939 Ernst Bloch: Violin Concerto in A minor, Violinst: Joseph Szigeti
• 1939 Maurice Ravel: Concerto for the Left Hand, Pianist: Alfred Cortot
• 1941 Marcel Delannoy: Grand Suite de La Pantoufle de Vair (Grand Suite on the ballet, Cinderela) Violinst: Henri Merkel
• 1941 Marcel Delannoy: Serenade Concertante for Violin Violinst: Henri Merkel
• 1941 Gustave Samazeuilh: Nuit
• 1941 Gustave Samazeuilh: Rapsodia Portugesa Pianist: Magarite Long
• 1941 Arthur Honegger: La Danse des Morts with Jean-Louis Barrault, Odette Turba-Rabier, Charles Panzera and Elaine Schenneberg with chorus
• 1941 Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Violin Concerto No. 5, K. 219, Violinst: Jacques Thibaud
• 1942 Claude Debussy La Mer
• 1942 Arthur Honegger: Symphony No. 2
• 1942 Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 20, K. 466, Pianist: Jean Doyen
• 1942 Maurice Ravel: La Valse
• 1942 Maurice Ravel: Pavane for a Dead Princess
• 1942 Maurice Ravel: Concerto for the Left Hand, Pianist: Jacques Fevier
• 1942 Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No. 1, Pianist: Kostia Kostantinov
• 1944 Ludwig von Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 5, Op. 73,The Emperor, Pianist: Magarite Long
• 1946 Louis Francois Marie Aubert: Habanera
• 1946 Frederic Chopin orchestrated by Louis Francois Marie Aubert: La Nuit ensorcelee (Enchanted Night)
• 1946 Andre Jolivet: Les Trois complaintes du soldat vaincu (Three Laments of the Defeated Soldier) Solist: Pierre Bernac

Recordings made with the Orchestre de la Societe des Concerts du Conservatoire for Oiseau-Lyre

• 1938 Franz Joseph Haydn: Sinfonia Concertante for Violin, Viola, Cello, Oboe and Basson

Recording made with the Paris Philharmonic for Polydor:

• 1938 Maurice Ravel: Concerto for the Left Hand, Pianist: Jacqueline Blanchard
• 19?? Charles-Marie Widor: Fantasy for Piano and Orchestra, Pianist: M. Herrenschmidt

Recordings made with the Philadelphia Orchestra for Columbia Records:

• 1963 Hector Berlioz: La Damnation de Faust - Excerpts
• 1963 Gabriel Faure: Pelleas et Melisande Suite, Op. 80
• 1963 Maurice Ravel: Valses nobles et sentimentales

Broadcast of the Philadelphia Orchestra released on the Philadelphia Orchestra's Centennial Set:

• 1963 Maurice Ravel: Daphnis et Chloé Suite No. 2

Broadcast of the R.A.I. Symphony Orchestra released by Tahra:

• 1951 Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 6 Pastorale
• 1951 Claude Debussy La Mer

Recording made with the Rotterdam Philharmonic for Turnabout(?)

• 1962 César Franck: Symphony in D minor
• 1967 Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 6 Pastorale

Recording made with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra for Reader’s Digest:

• 1963 Georges Bizet: Symphony in C
• 1963 Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: Francesca da Rimini, Op.32

Broadcast of the Symphony of the Air released by Music & Arts:

• 1957 Claude Debussy: La Mer

Recordings Lacking Full Information

• 196? Robert Schumann: Piano Concerto, Pianist:?, Orchestra:?, EMI
• 19?? Marcel Delannoy: Sérénade Concertante for Violin & Orchestra, Violinist: Lola Bobesco, Orchestra:?, Malibran
• 19?? Marcel Delannoy: Grand Suite de La Pantoufle de Vair Danse de négrillons, Violinist: Lola Bobesco, Orchestra:?, Malibran

DVDs

The Boston Symphony appeared on television with Münch locally on WGBH-TV, Boston, and nationally through a syndicated series. NHK broadcast throughout Japan the opening concert of the Boston Symphony's tour of Japan in 1960. Münch also appeared on film or television with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Czech Philharmonic, the Hungarian Radio and Television Orchestra, the Orchestre National de l'ORTF, and the Orchestre de Radio-Canada.

DVD with the Boston Symphony on NHK

• 1960 Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 3 in E-Flat Major, Op. 55
• 1960 Maurice Ravel: Daphnis et Chloé Suite No. 2

DVDs with the Boston Symphony on VAI

• 1962 Hector Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique
• 1962 Claude Debussy: La Mer
• 1962 Maurice Ravel: Daphnis et Chloé Suite No. 2
• 1966 Hector Berlioz: L'Enfance du Christ with the Harvard Glee Club and Radcliffe Choral Society and Soloists Donald Gramm, Florence Kopleff, Donald Meanders, John McCollum, and Theodore Uppman

DVD with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra on VAI

• 1963 Hector Berlioz: Les Troyens - Royal Hunt and Storm Music
• 1963 Jean-Phillippe Rameau orchestrated by Vincent D'Indy: Dardanus Suite
• 1963 Maurice Ravel: La Valse
• 1963 Maurice Ravel: Valses nobles et sentimentales

DVD with the Orchestre National de l'ORTF on EMI

• 1966 Johannes Brahms: Symphony No. 1 in C Minor, Op. 68 (Movements II through IV only)
• 1966 Maurice Ravel: Daphnis et Chloé Suite No. 2

DVD with the Orchestre de Radio-Canada on VAI

• 1963 Hector Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique

DVD The Art of Conducting Volume II on EMI

• 1957 Cesar Franck: Symphony in D Minor - excerpts with the Czech Philharmonic
• 1962 Hector Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique - excerpts with Boston Symphony
• 1962 Claude Debussy: La Mer - excerpts with Boston Symphony
• 1962 Maurice Ravel: Daphnis et Chloé Suite No. 2 - excerpts with Boston Symphony
• 1966 Hector Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique - excerpts with the Hungarian Radio and Television Orchestra

Sources

• Baker-Carr, Janet (1977). Evening at Symphony. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.
• Canarina, John (2003). Pierre Monteux Maitre. Pompton Plains: Amadeus Press.
• Collard, Georges; Clough, E.F. and Cuming, G.J. (1962-63). "Charles Munch". Audio & Record Review ii (9): 16-18 and 83-86.
• Honegger, Genevieve (1992). ''Charles Munch: Un Chef d'orchestre dans le siecle. Strabourg:
• Kupferberg, Herbert (1976). Tanglewood. New York: McGraw-Hill.
• Leinsdorf, Erich (1976). Cadenza. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.
• Monteux, Doris (1965). It's All in the Music. New York: Farrar, Straus & Cudahy.
• Monteux, Fifi and Monteux, Doris (1962). Everyone is Someone. New York: Farrar, Straus & Cudahy.
• Münch, Charles, translation from the French by Leonard Burkat (1955). I Am A Conductor. New York: Oxford University Press.
• Olivier, Pierre (1987). Charles Munch: a Biography in Recordings. Paris:
• Sadie, Stanley, Ed. (1980). New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians. New York: Oxford University Press.
• Snyder, Louis (1979). Community of Sound. Boston: Beacon Press.
• (1949). "There Will Be Joy". Time LIV, 25 (December 19): 40-46.
• Boston Symphony Orchestra, Symphony Hall Centennial, From the Broadcast Archives 1943-2000, (Booklet). Boston: Boston Symphony Orchestra.
• Wooldridge, David (1970). Conductor's World. New York: Praeger.

External links

• Société des concerts du Conservatoire
• Charles Munch at the Bach Cantatas Website