Walther Davisson

Walther Davisson was a violinist, teacher and conductor, who was director of the Leipzig Conservatory from 1932, after some years as deputy director under Max Pauer.
Beethoven – Violin Concerto in D major Op.61
1. 1 – I. Allegro ma non troppo (Part I) – 580 GO (800¾ go under label)
2. 2 – I. Allegro ma non troppo (Part II) – 581 GO (801½ go under label)
3. 3 – I. Allegro ma non troppo (Part III) – 802 GS I (802½ gs I under label)
4. 4 – I. Allegro ma non troppo (Part IV) – 803½ GS 1 (803½ gs Iunder label)
5. 5 – I. Allegro ma non troppo (Part V) – 804½ GS 1 (804½ gs I under label)
6. 6 – II. Larghetto (Part I) – 805½ GS 1 (805½ gs I under label)
7. 7 – II. Larghetto (Part II) – 643 GO 1
8. 8 – II. Larghetto (Part III) – III. Rondo (Part I) – 807½ GS 1 (807½ gs I under label)
9. 9 – III. Rondo (Part II) – 808½ GS 1
10. 10 – III. Rondo (Part III) – 809 GS 1
Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, Walther Davisson
Karl Freund, violin
Polydor 15205/9
Matrices 800¾ go, 801½ go, 802½ gs I, 803½ gs I, 804½ gs I, 805½ gs I, (806), 807½ gs I, 808½ gs I, 809 gs I – first two sides show 580GO and 581GO on label, but given numbers are under the label; side 7 has no number visible under the label, and the label gives 643 GO 1 as the matrix.

Recorded 1938, Berlin (Side 6 annotated Mechan. Copyright 1938.1.9 Depositato)

As is common with Polydor recordings, some sides are very full, pushing close to 5 minutes, and therefore have significantly poorer sound towards the end of the side.

I have found little about Karl Freund, save that he was based in Munich, where he led the Freund Quartet, and taught Susanne Lautenbacher.

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