06 February 2026

Boris Ord / Pro Arte - Bach / Vivaldi / Malcolm: 3 & 4 Harpsichords - HMV 1957

J.S.Bach: Concerto in C major, BWV.1064  for 3 Harpsichords
Antonio Vivaldi: Concerto in A minor 
for 4 Harpsichords  
Antonio Vivaldi 
arr. Thurston Dart: Concerto in D minor  for 4 Harpsichords  
George Malcolm: Variations on a Theme of W.A.Mozart 
for 4 Harpsichords    

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Eileen Joyce, Thurston Dart, George Malcolm, Denis Vaughan, harpsichords
Pro Arte Orchestra 
conducted by  Boris Ord 

HMV  CLP 1120 
c.1964 LP/matrices: XEA1097/8 -2N/-1N.  Recorded: 12/13 June 1956.  CD-RW transfer -  Original surface / No auto declick +1.5dB treble.  Re-cut side 1.  Boxy-sounding orchestra..  Sleeve-note / EMG review / 4x "Thomas Goff" Harpsichords @ RFH "Jamboree" in 1961 >>>  No idea if on CD -recent purchase.

 



6 comments:

  1. Merci pour le partage de ce disque assez rare je crois.

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    1. Note sure this is actually "an oldie but goodie" (the middle movements come off best, IMO) but notice I've the 1968 Vox Turnabout (+ vastly more on that label) of J.S.Bach 3 Concerti for 3or4 Harpsichords -TV 34106S Mainz/Kehr - so possibly superior - as EMG weren't too keen, the previous decade, regarding the interpretations on this LP. Did this as little editing required - and not an LP I recalled seeing previously.

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  2. The first thing that assaults the ears is the anacronistic sound of harpsichords with iron frames . . . Pleyels, one wonders. Baroque performance practice has come a long way since this recording was made.

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    1. Ha!! If the sleeve-front is to believed it might've been Thomas Goff's..
      Could be down to the playing-style, generally, as recall Valda Eveling (Thomas Goff's) on 2 (NOT ON CD?) HMV's - HQS 1298 (with Lady Barbirolli) + HQS1365 - Scarlatti - is somewhat 'old-style'...the older-generation, eh?
      Mr.Ord was anyway Famous for his Harpsichord Jamborees..so there!

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    2. Yes, likely the instruments were by Goff which used metal frames similar to those developed by Pleyel in Paris. Having played a Pleyel and more historical-informed instruments without metal frames, I can attest that the difference in sound is significant and not dependant upon playing style.

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    3. Harpsichord-recital LP's rarely identified the type used. (L'Oiseau-Lyre/Hogwood do - but not Tilney/Argo).
      Raymond Leppard appears to be conducting in that 1961 pic - and he used a Goff for the 1966 Dido & Aeneas/Barbirolli.
      I'd hesitate to identify them by sound - at least as recorded - though Landowska's are clearly different!
      George Malcolm's 1959/60 Decca J.S.Bach etc is on this blog (mentioned this 'unheard' CLP there in 2013) - otherwise they don't get much of a look-in hereabouts..

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