20 May 2025

EMI STEREOPHONIC Demonstration Test Record - 1958

(MediaFire then decided this was Tchaikovsky Sym 4 / Fricsay mono !)

EMI  SDD 1  1958 pressing/matrices: 2YEA38 -1 / 2YEA39 -11. 

10 files zip 16/44 WAV  Mega Download

.... The HUGELY POPULAR  "A Journey Into Stereo Sound ...an introduction to ffss - Decca 1958"
https://themusicparlour.blogspot.com/2017/12/a-journey-into-stereo-sound_36.html

CD-RW transfer:- ADC XLM II PU / SME series III arm.  No re-eq or auto de-click.   Sleeve-note / labels / 1957-8 Hi-Fi News "Stereosonic" articles >>>   

 
The Fire-Engine/Road Drill signal goes to 21kHz (on Foobar)  - despite the early "Westrex" cutter being stated as limited in frequency-range...

10 May 2025

24/48: Yuri Temirkanov / Leningrad SO - Stravinsky. Petrushka -&- Ravel. Daphnis & Chloe suite 2 - HMV/Melodiya

Maurice Ravel:  "Daphnis & Chloe" - Suite no.2   (Daybreak - Pantomime - General Dance)

Igor Stravinsky:  "Petrushka" - Ballet  (revised 1947)
(I: The Shrove-tide Fair - Danse russe ~ II: Petrushka's Room ~ III: The Moor's Room - Valse ~ IV: The Shrove-tide Fair - Evening Dance of the Nannies - Dance of the Coachmen & Grooms - The Masqueraders - Death of Petrushka)

Leningrad Symphony Orchestra  conducted by  Yuri Temirkanov

HMV/Melodiya  ASD 3705 
1979 LP

16 + 24-bit FLAC fileshttps://pristineaudiophile.blogspot.com

 

05 May 2025

24/48: "On Parade". LPO / Sir Adrian Boult - WRC 1968

Guadalcanal - Dam Busters - Washington Post - Lilliburlero - Under the Double Eagle - Old Comrades - British Grenadiers

Stars and Stripes - Colonel Bogey - El Capitan - RAF March - Anchors Aweigh - Liberty Bell - Battle Hymn of the Republic

14 files 16/44 FLAC  https://www.mediafire.com/file/4h0d02xztshvuja/OnParadeBoult1968.zip/file

14 files 24/48 XR FLAC  https://www.mediafire.com/file/cfrfzgpgsa899cd/2448OnParadeBoult1968.zip/file

EMI World Records  ST 750  1968/matrices: SW8844 -1G / SW8845 -3G. Recorded: 29 July (Guadalcanal) + 4 August 1967 - EMI Studio 1, Abbey Road. 

May 2020 files. A few new edits + split into tracks.   No re-eq/auto de-click... Previously very popular!   Sleeve-note / labels >>> 

03 May 2025

24/48: Charles Mackerras / LSO - "Favourite Music of Eric Coates" - Columbia 1956

Eric Coates:  "The Merrymakers" - Overture
"Summer Days" Suite - At the Dance
"The Three Men" Suite - The Man from the Sea
"London Again" Suite - March: Oxford Street
"The Three Bears" (A Phantasy)
"By the Sleepy Lagoon"
"The Three Elizabeths" Suite - March: Queen Elizabeth 

London Symphony Orchestra  conducted by  Charles Mackerras

Columbia  33S 1092  1956 10" LP.  Recorded: 23/24 May 1956 - EMI Studio 1, Abbey Road.

16 + 24-bit FLAC files @  https://pristineclassics.blogspot.com

 

14 April 2025

David Josefowitz / Vienna State Opera - Beethoven. Christus am Oelberge - Concert Hall 1967

Ludwig van Beethoven: "Christ on the Mount of Olives", op.85
Side One:  Introduction, Recitative & Aria    Side Two:  Recitative & Duet, Recitative & Chorus of the Soldiers, Recitative - Trio - Chorus

Seraph: Wendy Fine, Soprano  ~  Jesus: Kurt Equiluz, Tenor  ~  Peter: Marius Rintzler, Bass
Vienna State Opera Chorus & Orchestra  conducted by  David Josefowitz 

2 files 16/44 FLAC  MediaFire Download

Concert Hall   SMSC 2550   Turicaphon matrices. 1969 Phonogram UK pressing.  Recorded 1967. (also as a short-lived CD). 

20 June 2012 post.  Rather popular previously.  Philips GP412/II / Rega RB300 arm.  (CD-RW)  Saves transferring the Scherchen 1965 EMI LP which isn't such a dynamic performance.    Sleeve-note -&- WRC ST406 sleeve-note with the text >>> 

01 April 2025

Peter Maag / Suisse Romande - Mozart. Symphonies 28/29 - Decca 1951

W.A.Mozart: Symphony no.28 in C major, K.200
I: Allegro spiritoso ~ II: Andante ~ III: Minuet & Trio ~ IV: Presto 

W.A.Mozart: Symphony no.29 in A major, K.201
I: Allegro moderato ~ II: Andante ~ III: Minuet & Trio ~ IV: Allegro con spirito  

2 files 16/44 FLAC  MediaFire Download

Decca  LXT 2840  (London LLP 389 & LXT 2562). 1953 LP/1951 matrices: ARL798 -1B / ARL515 -1A

L'Orchestre de la Suisse Romande 
conducted by  Peter Maag
Recorded: c. October 1950 & March 1951 - Victoria Hall, Geneva.  Sleeve-note / EMG reviews >>> 

Older transfer (24-bit) which might be of interest as has early matrices. '1.3' declick.  EQ was problematic - so used RIAA + 1dB (max) treble @10kHz (treble emphasis is noted in the EMG reviews below - 'Posthorn' Serenade is ACL88 - not transferred)IMO the Andante of Sym.29 is very dreary!

24 March 2025

Gerard Souzay & Jacqueline Bonneau - Schumann. Dichterliebe -&- Wolf. 4 lieder - Decca 1952

Robert Schumann:  Dichterliebe, op.48

Hugo Wolf
:  Four lieder

2
files 16/44 FLAC   MediaFire Download

Gérard Souzay, Baritone -&- Jacqueline Bonneau, piano

Decca  LXT 2734 
1952 LP/matrices: ARL1095 -2B / ARL1096 -1B.  Recorded: c.August/September 1951 - Paris.

Very Quickly deleted LP
(replaced with 1953 recording of Dichterliebe: LXT2875)   NOT ON CD   Sleeve-note / EMG review >>>

Souzay - 1956 French Opera arias   ( Fabulous performances + immaculate 1986 Dutch vinyl ! ) 

02 March 2025

Claudia Muzio - The Columbia Italiana recordings - 1934-5

Bellini: Ah! Non Credea Mirarti  (La Sonnambula: Act.3) - Bellini: Casta Diva  (Norma: Act.1) - Verdi: Tacea La Notte Placida  (Il Trovatore: Act.1) - Verdi: Teneste La Promessa... Addio Del Passato  (La Traviata: Act.3) - Verdi: Pace, Pace, Mio Dio  (La Forza Del Destino: Act.4) - Boito: L'Altra Notte In Fondo Al Mare  (Mefistofele: Act.3) - Mascagni: Voi Lo Sapete, O Mamma  (Cavalleria Rusticana)

Verdi: Già Nella Notte Densa  (Otello: Act.1)  -with Francesco Merli, Tenor - Verdi: Dio Ti Giocondi, O Sposo (Otello: Act.3)  -with Francesco Merli, Tenor - Puccini: Sì, Mi Chiamano Mimì  (La Bohème: Act.1) - Puccini: Donde Lieta Uscì  (La Bohème: Act.3) - Puccini: Vissi D'Arte  (Tosca: Act.2) - Giordano: La Mamma Morta  (Andrea Chénier: Act.3)

Cilea: Esser Madre È Un Inferno  (L'Arlesiana: Act.3) - Cilea: Poveri Fiori  (Adriana Lecouvreur: Act.4) - Refice: Per Amor Di Gesù  (Cecilia: Prologue) - Refice: Grazie, Sorelle  (Cecilia: Finale) - Refice: Ombra Di Nube - Refice: Ave Maria

Pergolesi: Se Tu M'Ami - Donaudy: O Del Mio Amato Ben - Donaudy: Spirate Pur - Delibes: Les Filles De Cadiz - Delibes: Bonjour, Suzon - Crist: C'est Mon Ami - Debussy: Beau Soir - Reger: Mariä Wiegenlied - Buzzi-Peccia: Colombetta

Claudia Muzio, Soprano - Orchestra  conducted by  Lorenzo Molajoli  (& Licinio Refice) 
HMV Treasury   EX 290163 (2LP)  My September 1984 set.     28 FLAC files + Booklet   @ https://musicparlourhistorical.blogspot.com

11 September 2024

Witold Rowicki / Warsaw SO - Lutoslawski. Concerto for Orchestra, Venetian Games, Funeral Music - Muza 1959/1961

Witold Lutoslawski:
Concerto for Orchestra   (Muza XL0132 - 12,13,15 April 1961) 
Venetian Games   (Muza XL0132 - 27,28 December 1961) 
Funeral music   (Muza XL0072 - 5 December 1959)  

Warsaw Symphony Orchestra  conducted by  Witold Rowicki

3 files 16/44 zip FLAC  Mega Download

Philips  'Sequenza Special'  412 377-1  (1984 LP: originally Philips 835303AY -1965).  Recorded: National Philharmonic Hall, Warsaw.  CD-RW transfer.  Original surface: no auto-declick/re-eq.  Sleeve-note+Labels / SRG7+EMG+High Fidelity+Hi-Fi News reviews >>>  

08 July 2024

24/48: Beatrice Lillie / LSO / Skitch Henderson - Peter and the Wolf -&- Carnaval des animaux - Decca 1960

Sergei Prokofiev: "Peter and the Wolf", op.67

Camille Saint-Saens: "Le Carnaval des animaux"
(Julius Katchen & Gary Graffman, pianos & Kenneth Heath, 'cello)

2 files 16/44 FLAC  Mega Download           2 files  24/48  XR FLAC  Mega Download

Beatrice Lillie, Narrator - London Symphony Orchestra  conducted by  Skitch Henderson

Decca  SXL 2218  1973 pressing/matrices: ZAL4785 -5W / ZAL4786 -4W.  Recorded: 10/12 February 1960 - Kingsway Hall.
Session photograph / Rear sleeve / EMG review >>> 

21 December 2023

24/48: Carmen Dragon - Capitol SO - Orientale - Capitol 1958

Mikhail Ippolitov-Ivanov:  "Caucasian Sketches" - Procession of the Sardar
Fritz Kreisler/arr: Dragon:  "Tambourin Chinois"   (this is great..)    
Cesar Cui/arr: Dragon:  "Orientale"    
Ludwig van Beethoven:  "The Ruins of Athens" - Turkish March        
Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov/arr: Dragon:  "Sadko" - Song of India    
Amy Woodforde-Finden/arr: Dragon:  "Kashmiri Song"    
Peter Tchaikovsky:  "The Nutcracker" - Arab Dance
Peter Tchaikovsky:  "The Nutcracker" - Chinese Dance        
Alexander Luigini:  "Ballet Egyptien" - Dance    
Modest Moussorgsky:  "Khovantchina" - Persian Dance

10 files 16/44 zip FLAC  Mega Download              10 files 24/48 zip XR FLAC  Mega Download

Capitol Symphony Orchestra  conducted by  Carmen Dragon    
EMI Capitol  SP 8453 
1959 First Edition LP. Matrices: SP1-8453 -D6 / SP2-8453 -D8.  Recorded: 28-30 March / 19-20 June 1958 - Samuel Goldwyn Studio, Hollywood.     Sleeve-note >>>  

08 October 2022

Otto Klemperer / Philharmonia - Beethoven. Symphony 7 - EMI stereo 1955

Ludwig van BeethovenSymphony no.7 in A major, op.92
I: Poco sostenuto -Vivace ~ II: Allegretto ~ III: Presto -Assai meno presto ~ IV: Allegro con brio 

Ludwig van Beethoven:  "Prometheus" overture, op.43*

5 files 16/44 zip FLAC  Mega Download

Philharmonia Orchestra  conducted by  Otto Klemperer

HMV  ED 29 1341 
1987 DMM pressing. CDRW transfer. Matrices: A-1 / B-3.  Recorded: 3-7 October 1955  /  *25 November 1957 - Kingsway Hall
Had intended including this with the original Columbia mono Symphonies 3/5/7 earlier this year. ( "Prometheus" not included in the 1977 2LP SXDW 3032 which has the 1969 sessions).  Sleeve-note / 1988 Hi-Fi News review >>> 

15 August 2020

Sir Thomas Beecham / BBC SO - Sibelius. Symphony 2 - BBC 1954

Jean Sibelius: 
Symphony no.2 in D major, op.43  
I: Allegretto  ~  II: Tempo andante ma rubato  ~  III: Vivacissimo  ~  IV: Allegro moderato    

2 files zip FLAC  Mega Download

BBC Symphony Orchestra  conducted by  Sir Thomas Beecham
HMV  ALP 1947  1964 pressing. Matrices: 2XEA2231/2 -1N.   Recorded 'live' - 8 December 1954 - Royal Festival Hall   (less than "Hi-Fi"...!!
Sleeve-note + The Times + EMG reviews >>>  
(The 1959 RFH Dvorak Symphony 8 - HMV ALP 2003 - is on Pristine Classics )  

23 February 2018

Balakirev. Russia, Tamara, 3 Russian themes - Gauk / Golovanov / Anosov - CCCP 1952

Mily Balakirev:
"Russia" - Second Overture on Russian Themes  (1863–1864, rev: 1884)       USSR Symphony Orchestra  conducted by  Alexander Gauk  
"Tamara" (1867–1882)     Moscow Radio Symphony Orchestra  conducted by  Nikolai Golovanov  
Overture on 3 Russian themes (1858)      USSR Symphony Orchestra  conducted by  Nikolai Anosov  
3 files zip FLAC Mega Download   
SAGA  XID 5101  1961 mono. ( MK D518, D0703, D923 )   1.3 de-click + v.slight treble. Overtures +4dB amplification (a very low-level cut) and +2dB from c.6:30" for Tamara (seems under-recorded thereafter...).   Sleeve-note >>>

07 January 2018

Mozart. Violin Concerto 5 - Oscar Shumsky ... Symphony 35 - Wallenstein - MAR 1956

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart:
Symphony no.35 in D majorK.385.  "Haffner"  
IAllegro con spirito ~ IIAndante ~ IIIMenuetto ~ IVPresto  
Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra  conducted by  Alfred Wallenstein  

Concerto no.5 in A major for Violin and OrchestraK.219 
IAllegro aperto ~ IIAdagio ~ IIIRondo - Tempo di minuetto  
Oscar Shumskyviolin  -  The Little Orchestra of New York  conducted by  Thomas Sherman 
2 files 16/44 zip FLAC  Mega Download  
World Record Club  T 21  1958 Oriole pressing/Philips UK matrices: W6558/9 -1.  From: Music-Appreciation Records MAR5613.
Original surfaces/CD-RW transfer (Shure M95HE -1st time used for transfers) .   Sleeve-note/label >>>

01 January 2018

Sir Ernest MacMillan / Toronto S.O. - Handel. Messiah - Beaver 1952

G.F.Handel:  " The Messiah "

16/44
FLAC     Sides 1/2/3  Mega Download        Sides 4/5/6  Mega Download

Lois Marshall, Soprano  - Mary Palmateer, Contralto  - Jon Vickers, Tenor  - James Milligan, Bass
Toronto Mendelssohn Choir & Symphony Orchestra  conducted by  Sir Ernest MacMillan   

World Record Club   TP 216-8   1962 pressings/matrices: W7596-7601 -2N,2N,2N,3N,2N,2N.  Recorded:  5 January 1952 - Massey Hall, Toronto.  
NOT ON CD   CD-RW transfer    (Illustration is from the SKIRA booklet for Beecham's 1959 set:  DURER: "The Adoration of the Trinity" (1511)
A Thoroughly convincing performance.   Track listing / info >>>  

17 December 2017

A Journey Into Stereo Sound ...an introduction to ffss - Decca 1958



A Journey Into Stereo Sound ...an introduction to ffss

2 files zip FLAC  Mega Download  

Decca  SKL 4001  1963 pressing. Matrices: ZAL3941 -6E / ZAL3942 -7E.

Original surface / CD-RW transfer.  NOT ON CD

12 June 2017

Ketelbey. "In a Persian Market" - Vienna State Opera / Armando Aliberti - Westminster 1958

Albert Ketelbey:
In a Chinese Temple Garden    /    Bank Holiday    /    In the Mystic Land of Egypt     / Jungle Drums
In a Persian Market     /    In a Monastery Garden    /     Bells across the Meadows    /    With Honour Crowned
8 files 16/44 zip FLAC  Mega Download   
Vienna State Opera Orchestra  conducted by  Armando Aliberti  
EMI World Records  STP 359  (Westminster WST 15005). 1966 pressing/matrices: SW7938 -4 / SW7939 -3.  Recorded: June 1957 - Vienna.
NOT ON CD    Sleeve-note >>>

03 May 2017

Liszt. Via Crucis - Francis Jackson / BBC Northern Singers / Gordon Thorne - Saga 1961

Franz Liszt:  "Via Crucis" - The Fourteen Stations of the Cross - for Mixed Choir, Soloists & Organ
Side One: I: Jesus is condemned to death (organ solo) ~ II: Jesus bears His Cross (organ solo) ~ III: Jesus falls for the first time ~ IV: Jesus meets His Blessed Mother (organ solo) ~  V: Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus to carry the Cross (organ solo) ~ VI: St. Veronica wipes Jesus' feet with her veil ~ VII: Jesus falls for the second time ~ VIII: The women of Jerusalem weep for Jesus (organ solo) ~ IX: Jesus falls for the third time.
Side Two: X: Jesus is stripped of His clothing (organ solo) ~ XI: Jesus is nailed to the Cross ~ XII: Jesus died on the Cross ~ XIII: Jesus is taken down from the Cross (organ solo) ~ XIV: Jesus is laid in the tomb.
2 files 16/44 zip FLAC  Mega Download   
Francis Jackson, organ  - BBC Northern Singers  conducted by  Gordon Thorne   
Saga  STXID 5079  1965 stereo release/pressing.  Recorded: 1959. Town Hall, Birmingham  (1.3 de-click).   Sleeve-note  SRG5 review >>>

27 March 2017

Jan Hus Tichy / Prague National - Tchaikovsky. Mazeppa, Eugene Onegin, Joan of Arc, Pique Dame - Supraphon 1962

Peter Tchaikovsky:  "Mazeppa"  Act Two  - Josef Heriban  
"Eugene Onegin"  Acts Two & Three  - Ivo Zidek  /  Eduard Haken  /  Milada Subrtova  &  Premsyl Koci   
"Joan of Arc"  Act One  - Eva Zikmundova  
"Pique Dame"  Act One  - Beno Blachut,  Drahomira Tikalova,  Vera Krilova  
"Pique Dame"  Act Two   - Vera Krilova  /  Jindrach Jindrak
8 files zip FLAC   Mega Download   
Prague National Theatre Orchestra  conducted by  Jan Hus Tichy  
Supraphon  SUAST 50469  c.1964 LP/matrices: E159 -A / E160 -A    Recorded: c.1961       NOT ON CD      EMG review / sleeve-notes >>>
Excellent clean sound ....mildly 'tickly' surfaces. 

06 February 2017

Clemens Krauss / Vienna Philharmonic - Richard Strauss. Salome - Decca 1954

Richard Strauss:  "Salome", op.54  - A Music Drama in One Act  (1905)
Salome....................... Christel Goltz,  Soprano   
Jochanaan.................... Hans Braun,  Baritone
Herodes........................ Julius Patzak,  Tenor
Herodias......................... Margareta Kenney,  Mezzo-Soprano
Narraboth......................... Anton Dermota,  Tenor
Ein Page............................. Else Schurhoff,  Soprano
Erster Nazarener.................... Ludwig Weber,  Bass
Zweiter Nazarener.................... Harald Proglhoff,  Bass
Erster Soldat............................ Walter Berry,  Bass
Zweiter Soldat............................ Herbert Alsen,  Bass
Ein Cappadocier............................ Ljubomir Pantscheff,  Bass
Ein Sklave..................................... Hermann Gallos,  Tenor
Erster Jude..................................... Rudolf Christ,  Tenor
Zweiter Jude...................................... Hugo Meyer-Welfing,  Tenor
Dritter Jude......................................... Kurt Preger,  Baritone
Vierter Jude.......................................... Murray Dickie,  Tenor
Funfter Jude............................................ Franz Bierbach,  Bass
Wiener Philharmoniker  conducted by  Clemens Krauss   
4 files zip FLAC Mega Download     FLAC  (Side 4 - Final scene + preceding 4mins)  Mega Download
Decca  ACL 207-8  (LXT 2863/4)   1965 set. c.1958 matrices: ARL2101-4 -2DR/-1DR/-2DR/-2DR.     Recorded: 15-21 March 1954 - Musikvereinsaal, Vienna
CD-RW: original surfaces/no auto-declick..    ACL 208 cover/sleeve-note >>>     Philips 1952 Salome - VSO/Moralt >>>      Ljuba Welitsch - Final scene - 1949 + 1944/1948 >>>

CARLOS KLEIBER  1977 Covent Garden "ELEKTRA"  https://operaparlour.blogspot.com/2024/04/carlos-kleiber-roho-richard-strauss.html

13 January 2017

Maria Callas / Tullio Serafin - Donizetti. Lucia di Lammermoor - EMI 1953

Gaetano Donizetti:  "Lucia di Lammermoor"
Lucia............................ Maria Callas,  Soprano  
Edgardo.......................... Guiseppe di Stefano,  Tenor 
Enrico.............................. Tito Gobbi,  Baritone
Raimondo............................ Rapphaele Arie,  Bass
Arturo.............................. Valiano Natali,  Tenor
Alisa................................. Anna Maria Canali,  Mezzo-Soprano
Normanno............................ Gino Sarri,  Tenor
Orchestra & Chorus of "Maggio Musicale Fiorentino"  conducted by  Tullio Serafin   
16/44 FLAC:  ACT ONE  Mega Download          ACT TWO  Mega Download         ACT THREE  Mega Download  
HMV  SLS 5056  (2LP 1977 -1985 set). Matrices: XBX9127-30 -1/-1/-2/-4 (disc 2 c.1982 recut).  Rec: Jan/Feb.1953 -Teatro Comunale, Florence.
Bought recently: CD-quiet surfaces/minimal editing needed. Wonderful performance (especially Act 3) - more idiomatic (esp. the chorus) than the 1960 SAX/33CX version/s.
The second LP appears slightly 'brighter'.  The 'stereo' processing seems pretty good (by David Pickett).    Somewhat unenthusiastic (...) EMG/Record Guide reviews >>>

06 January 2017

SXL 6040

Johann Strauss II:  Spanischer Marsch, op.433
Johann Strauss II:  Rosen aus dem Suden - Waltz, op.388
Josef Strauss:  Eingesendet - Polka schnell, op.240
Johann Strauss II:  Du und Du - Waltz, op.367

Eduard Strauss:  Bahn frei - Polka schnell, op.45
Josef Strauss:  Brennende Liebe - Polka mazurka, op.129
Johann Strauss II:  Geschichten aus dem Wienerwald - Waltz, op.325
Johann Strauss II:  Demolirer Polka, op.269
Johann Strauss I:  Radetzky-Marsch, op.228
16/44 WAV    Side One:  Mega Download            Side Two:  Mega Download
Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra  conducted by  Willi Boskovsky  
Decca  SXL 6040   First edition 1963 LP/matrices: ZAL5716/7 -2E/1E.  Recorded: 2-6 November 1962 - Sofiensaal, Vienna.      Sleeve-note >>>
RAW files - un-edited CD-RW transfer: not going to slosh Water'n'Sudso over this BRAND NEW LP - nor edit it for Hours..it's fine ('noise-free') as it is...but may later edit-away the few minor ticks ...or you can do that... 

12 December 2016

Owen Brannigan sings... Songs You Remember - Song of the Flea, Mandalay, Linden Lea, etc - HMV 1961

A1:  Song Of The Flea   (bloody good!)
A2-4:  Riding Down From Bangor, Leanin', Clementine
A5:  On The Road To Mandalay
A6-9:  My Bonny, Silent Worship, Vilikins And His Dinah, The Plough Boy

B1-4:  Father O'Flynn, Mr. Maguire, Border Ballad, My Love She's But A Lassie Yet 
B5:  Ten Green Bottles
B6-10:  Yorkshire Coortin' Song, Lancashire Slumber Song, Yarmouth Fair, Linden Lea, Drinking
7 files zip 16/44 FLAC  Mega Download    
Owen Brannigan, Bass  - Ernest Lush, piano   
HMV  CSD 1350   First edition 1961 pressing/matrices: 2YEA529 -1 / 2YEA530 -3     Sleeve-note >>>

06 December 2016

Hugo Rignold / Covent Garden Orchestra - Chopin-Jacob. Les Sylphides - Parlophone 1952

Frederic Chopin  (arr: Gordon Jacob):  "Les Sylphides"  - Ballet Music
Prelude in A major, op.28/7 ~ Nocturne in A flat major, op.32/2 ~ Valse in G flat major, op.70/1 ~ Mazurka in D major, op.33/2 ~
Mazurka in C major, op.67/3 ~ Valse in C sharp minor, op.64/2  ~ Prelude in A major, op.28/7 ~ Grande Valse Brillante in E flat major, op.18.   

FLAC  Mega Download
Royal Opera House Orchestra, Covent Garden  conducted by  Hugo Rignold 
Parlophone  PMD 1003 (10")  1956/7 pressing. 1952 matrices: XE25 -1N / XE26 -1N.    Recorded: 29/30 March 1951  
This is a contributors request. The LP was considerably less than 'Hi-Fi' and required much editing/re-EQ  to make it sound presentable!   
NOT ON CD   EMG + Record Year-2 reviews / Sleeve-note >>>     Rignold Prokofiev Cinderella 1957 >>>    1950 Desormiere Sylphides >>>

27 November 2016

Robert Irving / Royal Opera House - Sadler's Wells Ballet Silver Jubilee - HMV 1956

Purcell  arr.Lambert:  "Comus" - Overture & Minuet
Boyce  arr.Lambert:  "Prospect Before Us" - Fugue in D major
Couperin  orch.Jacob:  "Harlequin in the Street" - Allegro
Mendelssohn  orch.Jacob:  "Lord of Burleigh" - Agitato & Allegro vivace
Auber  arr.Lambert:  "Les Rendezvous" - Allegro non troppo & Allegro
Gavin Gordon:  "The Rake's Progress" - Sarabande & Orgy
Liszt  orch.Jacob:  "Apparitions" - Consolation & Galop
Lambert:  "Horoscope" - Valse for the Gemini
Berners:  "Wedding Bouquet" - Tango & Waltz
Bliss:  "Adam Zero" - Dance of Summer
Prokofiev:  "Cinderella" - Waltz & Midnight  
11 files zip FLAC  Mega Download             11 files zip FLAC (1.2 de-click)  Mega Download     (This scarce LP was 'mint'..)   
Royal Opera House Orchestra, Covent Garden  conducted by  Robert Irving  
EMI Angel  35521  (HMV CLP 1070)  1957 EMI pressing/matrices: 2XEA886 -2N / 2XEA887-2N.     NOT ON CD     HMV HQM 1078 reissue  (Gordon/Lambert/Bliss)    Sleeve-note >>>

17 November 2016

Sir Malcolm Sargent / BBC Symphony Orchestra - Rachmaninov. Symphony 3 - HMV 1954

Sergei Rachmaninov:  Symphony no.3 in A minor, op.44
I: Allegro moderato  ~  II: Adagio ma non troppo  ~  III: Allegro  

FLAC  Mega Download  (groove 'fizzle' necessitated a NOS Shure M97G 'nude' spherical /SME III arm)

BBC Symphony Orchestra  conducted by  Sir Malcolm Sargent

EMI Music for Pleasure  MFP 2078  (HMV ALP 1118)  1968 LP/matrices: 2XEA402 -5 / 2XEA403 -3.  Recorded: 5 May 1953 - EMI Studio 1 Abbey Road.
NOT ON CD.  ('Guild' 2014 dub)    CD-RW transfer.   Sleeve-note / EMG reviews >>> 

20 August 2016

Bliss. Piano Concerto / Mewton-Wood ... Tippett. Double Strings Concerto / Walter Goehr - Concert Hall / HMV 1952

Michael Tippett:  Concerto for Double String Orchestra  (1939)     FLAC Mega Download  
The Philharmonia Orchestra  conducted by  Walter Goehr   
EMI Music for Pleasure  MFP 2069  1967 LP/matrix: XEA642 -2.  Recorded: 3 March 1952 - EMI Studio 1, Abbey Road.  

Arthur Bliss:  Piano Concerto in B flat major  (1939)           FLAC  Mega Download
IAllegro con brio  ~  IIAdagietto  ~  IIIAndante maestoso - Molto vivace
Noel Mewton-Wood, piano  - Utrecht Symphony Orchestra  conducted by  Walter Goehr   
Nixa  CLP 1167   (Concert Hall CHS 1167)   1953 LP/RCA Matrices: E2KP 6991-1C / E2KP 6992-1B. 'A2'   Recorded: 1952.    
NOT ON CD.  Nixa MFP sleeve-note / EMG + RG2 reviews >>>  Solomon Cutner's 1943 recording >>> 
The Bliss is a stunningly fine performance and in This transfer sounds absolutely splendid. Previously had 2 LP>CD transfers (same matrices) by Bryan Crimp & Mr.Pristine - who mentions a 'swish' on side 2; actually it's on both groove-walls to virtually the same degree: an unavoidable & very infrequent faint 'rustling' is anyway far preferable to Mr.Pee's "SUPERB" muffled/muddled nasality....absolute Pants, by comparison!