On and Off the Record: A Memoir of Walter Legge

by Elisabeth Schwarzkopf

For decades, Walter Legge (1906-1979) was the dominant figure in the recording of classical music. As music critic of the Manchester Guardian, head of the classical division of EMI/Angel, assistant artistic director at Covent Garden, and founder-owner of the great Philharmonia Orchestra, he was at the very center of international musical life during the mid-twentieth century. A self-absorbed authoritarian and perfectionist who was either revered or detested by his contemporaries, Legge was passionately devoted to the highest standards of performance. Known as the "autocract of the turntable" or "the pope of music," Legge collaborated with such singers and conductors as Maria Callas, Herbert von Karajan, Sir Thomas Beecham, and Otto Klemperer to produce hundreds of recordings that are still considered the finest ever made in opera, the symphonic literature, chamber music, and especially German Lieder. In On and Off the Record, the great soprano Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Legge's wife and musical associate for over thirty years, compiles and annotates writings both by and about her late husband to provide a fascinating and rich portrait of this complicated musical genius. Connected by Schwarzkopf's own charming narrative, the collection combines fragments from Legge's unfinished autobiography, his correspondence, and his musical criticism with tributes from colleagues as well as radio and television interviews. The work includes an appreciation by Dorle Soria, cofounder of Angel Records, observations by distinguished musicologist Edward Greenfield on Legge's studio sessions, and a selected discography by Alan Sanders. On and Off the Record is both a history of a golden age of recording and a lively memoir of the brilliant man who influenced it more than any other single person.

Genres: Music

292 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1982

Reviews

[Bill FromPA · Rating 4 out of 5]

An entertaining collection of occasional pieces by Legge, supplemented with a few reminiscences by colleagues, introduced and with commentary by Mrs. Legge, Elizabeth Schwartzkopf. The pieces concentrate on singers and conductors, with one piece having a dual focus on critic Ernest Newman and composer Hugo Wolf, the latter perhaps the great composer most in need of the kind of passionate advocacy Legge provides. The worlds of opera and Lieder get the most attention, with instrumentalists and chamber music almost completely ignored except for an occasional passing mention. Despite Legge's having founded the Philharmonia Orchestra and Chorus, there is not a lot of discussion of orchestral and choral music, except for a few specific areas, such as Sibelius' symphonies. The most worshipful piece is the one on Herbert von Karajan, who seems to be Legge's idea musician. A piece on Callas, despite its title, "La Divina", is clear-eyed and appreciative without being hagiographic. Legge is not much for musical modernism, his idea of 20th century music being Strauss and Puccini, and he absolutely loathes what has come to be termed Regieoper. One imagines opera productions under Legge's regime would become pretty stultifying, despite being brilliantly performed. With the additional pieces and editorial matter all highly supportive of Legge's views and achievements, the book carries a certain air of incense (or to use Legge's preferred term, Weirauch) about it.