04 March 2024

Puccini. La Boheme - Gigli, Albanese, La Scala / Berrettoni - HMV 1938

Giacomo Puccini: "La Boheme"

Rodolpho
................. Beniamino Gigli  (Tenor)
Marcello
................. Afro Poli   (Baritone)
Schaunard
................. Aristide Baracchi   (Baritone)
Colline
................. Duilio Baronti   (Bass)
Mimi
................. Licia Albanese   (Soprano)
Musetta
................. Tatiana Menotti   (Soprano)
Benoit / Alcindoro
................. Carlo Scattola   (Bass)
Parpignol
................. Nello Palai   (Tenor)

Chorus & Orchestra of Teatro alla Scala, Milan 
conducted by  Umberto Berrettoni

EMI Music for Pleasure  MFP 2076/7. 1967 LP's (1955 HMV Italiana transfer) from HMV DB3448-3460.  Recorded: February (March) 1938.

16/44 FLAC files @  https://musicparlourhistorical.blogspot.com

17 February 2024

24/48: Ferenc Fricsay / Berlin RSO - Kodaly ~ Einem ~ Stravinsky - DGG 1963

Zoltan Kodaly:  "Hary Janos" - Suite   (John Leach, cymbalum)
(Prelude, Viennese musical clock, Song, The battle and defeat of Napoleon, Intermezzo, Entrance of the Emperor and his court)

Igor StravinskyMovements for Piano & Orchestra   (Margrit Weber, piano)

Gottfried von EinemBallade for Orchestra, op.23

Radio-Symphonie-Orchester Berlin  conducted by  Ferenc Fricsay

Deutsche Grammophon  SLPM 138 828  1963 LP.  Recorded: Kodaly: 2-3 November 1961...Stravinsky: 14 September 1960...Einem: September 1961. 

16 + 24-bit FLAC fileshttp://pristineclassics.blogspot.com

03 February 2024

24/48: George Szell / Cleveland Orchestra - Walton. Symphony 2 -&- Partita - CBS 1962

Sir William Walton: Symphony no.2    
I: Allegro molto ~ II: Lento assai ~ III: Passacaglia: Theme, Ten Variations, Fugato & Coda - Scherzando
    
Sir William Walton: Partita For Orchestra    
I: Toccata (brioso) ~ II: Pastorale Siciliana (andante comodo) ~ III: Giga burlesca (allegro gioviale)

The Cleveland Orchestra  conducted by  George Szell

EMI World Records  STP 624  1966 LP/1962 SAX2459 matrices. Recorded: 24 February + 3 March 1961 / 21 January 1959 - Severance Hall, Cleveland.

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

29 January 2024

Columbia SAX 2359-2361 Callas - "La Gioconda"

So..Boys and Girls.....If Mr Rose charges <48 Euro for a FLAC transfer (from LP/CD ...??? )

..and you think it's gonna be worth that to you...( MusicWeb/Fanfare will soon tell you it sounds Absolutely Fabuloso (naturally..or "un-naturally"..)

Then how much do you think a brand-new/unplayed condition original 1960 boxed-set (undamaged box + all internal packaging) is gonna be worth...???    ( £750 )  ...!!!

And ..NO.. I'm not wet-cleaning the flawless'n'perfect discs....nor the original 33CX + SAX Lucia di Lammermoor... (£750 in Japan) ...to get not a single response !!!

https://www.pristineclassical.com/products/paco208

"Comments" include a  Deranged (and ill-mannered) Diatribe from Senor "MMusicbox Record Club" - from Portugal (where the Nuts come from). Ludicrously repeats his June 2023 complaint (Liszt Via Crucis) where he was told the LP only had 2 tracks...not 14 (or 16..). These blogs are not intended as a dropping-off zone for Malcontents &/or Dementia Patients. Thank You!

I comment that I receive goddam few responses! BUT MrM Musicbox was virtually the only one from mid-last year... Now this: (9Feb) under the Pristine Szell/Walton post:-  "Now I'm telling you that I'm not interested in your gioconda edition because I have an identical one (exactly the same, and just like the one you say you have, without having been touched), purchased through Discogs for €352 and a few more cents. Stupid asshole".  
STUPID ARSEHOLE, WHO? - mine cost under 50 PENCE... LOL!!!

 

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 >>> 

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 >>>

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!

14 June 2016

Alexander Gauk / Moscow Radio - Shostakovich. Symphony 6 - MK/Artia 1959

Dmitri Shostakovich:  Symphony no.6 in B minor, op.54
I:  Largo  ~  II:  Allegro  ~  III:  Presto    (the last 2 mvts are the best..)

16/44 FLAC   Mega Download

Moscow Radio Symphony Orchestra  conducted by  Alexander Gauk

ARTIA  ALP-167  (MELODIYA D 4984-5 -10")   1961 US LP.  US mastered: 20 October 1960.    (slightly enhanced treble/'1.3' declick)

Contibutor requested...    CD-RW transfer     NOT ON CD      an MK sleeve / EMG review >>>

08 July 2014

Carl Garaguly / Tivolis Koncertsals Symphoniorkester - Nielsen. Symphony 2, Little Suite - Fona 1963


Carl Nielsen:
Symphony no.2, op.16  "The Four Temperaments"  
I: Allegro collerico  ~  II: Allegro comodo e flemmatico  ~  III: Andante malinconico  ~  IV: Allegro sanguino
FLAC  Mega Download
Little Suite for string orchestra, op.1   
Prelude: Andante con moto  ~  Intermezzo: Allegro moderato  ~  Finale: Andante con moto - Piu mosso
FLAC  Mega Download  
Tivoli Concert Symphony Orchestra  conducted by  Carl Garaguly 
Vox / Turnabout  TVS 34049   1968 Decca release/matrices: S 2683 -1L / S 2684 -1L
Cleaner tape-to-disc transfer than the US Vox versions - though the recording is somewhat bright (so have marginally treble-enhanced the Suite) but which now sounds excellent and exciting; as also is the performance/orchestra... Recorded: c.1960 ?    Not on CD    Sleeve-note >>>

05 June 2014

Richard Rodgers. Victory at Sea - RCA Victor Orchestra / Robert Russell Bennett - RCA 1959

Richard Rodgers (arr. Robert Russell Bennett):
"Victory at Sea"     
Orchestral Suite from the NBC Television Production  
Side One:  The Song of the High Seas  ~ The Pacific Boils Over  ~ Guadalcanal (March)  ~ D-Day  ~ Hard Work and Horse-Play
Side Two:  Theme of the Fast Carriers  ~ Beneath the Southern Cross  ~ Mare Nostrum  ~ Victory at Sea
2 files zip FLAC  Mega Download
The RCA Victor Symphony Orchestra  conducted by  Robert Russell Bennett   
RCA  SF 5092  STEREO   Original 1960 Decca LP - Matrices: K2RY1076 -1D / K2RY1077 -1D        Sleeve-note >>> 

03 June 2014

Dmitri Shostakovich plays... Shostakovich. Piano Concertos 1 & 2 (French National / Cluytens) & 3 Fantastic Dances - EMI 1958

Dmitri Shostakovich:
Piano Concerto no.1 in C major for Piano, Trumpet & Strings, op.35  
Piano Concerto no.2 in F major, op.102    
Three Fantastic Dances, op.5    
3 files zip FLAC  Mega Download
Dmitri Shostakovich, piano - Ludovic Vaillant, trumpet - French National Radio Orchestra  conducted by  Andre Cluytens      
EMI/World Records  SH 293   1979 LP (first UK release)  Matrices: XLX 779 -2 / XLX 778 -2.
Recorded: 24-26/30 May / 12 September 1958 - Salle Wagram, Paris  (mono only)
Transfer level is slightly lower than normal (although the recorder peaked @ 0dB) - and the LP sound wasn't exactly 'master-tape'; also with some tape compression/modulation..     Sleeve-note / 1962 EMG review >>>

10 May 2014

The Busch String Quartet: Beethoven Late String Quartets: and "The Case of The Missing Frequencies"....

Some of you may recall (long ago) that Andrew Rose stated my MD transfer of the BBC Radio 3

RPO-Sargent -Vaughan Williams Symphony 9 >>>  only went up to 'about 13kHz' - when it demonstrably went to the cut-off frequency of 15kHz (the graph there proves it..)...not to mention the high-level 19kHz Pilot-Tone from the Leak Stereofetic FM Tuner...

Now, if you have nothing better to spend your money on, you can give him up to FORTY QUID for his copy of the German EMI DaCapo pressings: likely more compressed/filtered than Griffith's EMI (assuming those tapes were the source) .... and which is missing over 1 minutes in a truncated version of the 2nd mvt of op.132.

 Mr Pristine's Newletter - link
He's claiming these 'stunning' transfers of his (his? - he's merely copied someone else's efforts) go up to 18-19kHz...with a vague claim that some 'azimuth error' correction has 'revealed' those frequencies..

So here's a Competition for any MUGS who buy them: FIND THOSE EHF FREQUENCIES - as most files were cut-off/limited by Anthony Griffith / Keith Hardwick's transfers to about 9kHz at best - and only (SIDE GRAPH >>>) did I (quickly) find one above that: the last Qt from 1933 - on an energetic chord...and the PU Cartridges I used were CD-4 compatible - thus will trace frequencies @  4 times that c.10kHz level.

My (free...) 2012 transfers of all the 1985 EMI Germany DMM box-set SQ recordings + CBS op.130 @
http://musicparlourhistorical.blogspot.com/2012/08/the-busch-quartet-play-beethoven-late.html

Of course..there are plenty of CRETINS around: Here's one: http://musicke.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/the-busch-quartet-and-late-beethoven.html
"The GROC transfers from EMI were not bad, but  Andrew Rose's are better, with more “air” around the slightly warmer sound. It is excellent to have these really great performances from the 1930s (with a couple of early 1940s) in the best possible transfers".

So there you have it:  'best possible' means 'reduced resolution and boosted treble'. No need for me to bother, is there??  The Adulatory "Fanfare" puff duly appeared! >>>
 








NB: I very rarely use 'de-click' (same software as mentioned), and then only at the lowest levels possible - as sound-quality quickly becomes degraded... 'de-noiser' - never.

 


16 April 2014

Louis de Froment conducts... Mozart. Clarinet Concerto -&- Sinfonia Concertante - Lancelot, Pierlot, Coursier, Hongne - L'Oiseau-Lyre 1953

W.A.Mozart:
Concerto in A major for Clarinet & Orchestra, K.622   Allegro  ~  Adagio  ~  Rondo     (Jacques Lancelot, clarinet)
Sinfonia Concertante in E flat major, K.297b    Allegro  ~  Adagio  ~  Andantino con variazioni    
(Pierre Pierlot, oboe  - Jacques Lancelot, clarinet  - Gilbert Coursier, horn  - Paul Hongne, bassoon) 
2 files zip FLAC  Mega Download
L'Ensemble Orchestral de L'Oiseau-Lyre  conducted by  Louis de Froment  
L'Oiseau-Lyre  OL 50006  
 First Edition 1953 LP/matrices: TT139 -1B / TT140 -1B    Recorded c.1952 - Paris. 
Required lengthy editing (surfaces were full of huge clicks/pops). Slightly de-clicked @ 1.3 + re-equalized (some 'edits' audible in the Clarinet C.).  
Performances are superb.   NOT ON CD    Sleeve-note / EMG review  >>>

10 April 2014

Jeanne Demessieux plays... Cesar Franck. Trois Chorals, Trois pieces, Six pieces - Decca 1959

Vol.1:  Trois pieces:  (1878)   -  Fantasie in A major    /    Cantabile    /    Piece Heroique       //       Choral no.1 in E major  (1890)
4 files zip FLAC  Mega Download
Vol.2: Choral no.2 in B minor  (1890)  //   Six pieces:  (1860-1862)  -  Fantasie in C major, op.16  /   Grande piece Symphonique, op.17  
3 files zip FLAC   Mega Download 
Vol.3: Choral no.3 in A minor  (1890)   //   Six pieces: (1860-1862)  - Priere, op.20  /  Prelude, Fugue et Variation, op.18  /  Pastorale, op.19  /  Final, op.21      
5 files zip FLAC  Mega Download
Cavaille-Coll organ  (1845)  at  L’Eglise de La Madeleine, Paris  - Jeanne Demessieux, organist  
Decca  SDD 202-204   STEREO    Recorded: 1959 - UK issued: 1969 - 1972 pressings/matrices: ZAL 8792-8797 -1K/-1K/-1K/-1K/-1K/-2K 
New discs with minimal de-click  plus slight treble enhancement .   Sleeve-notes + EMG review / SRG Vol.7 review >>> 

19 March 2014

Aeolian String Quartet / Leonard Cassini play... Elgar. Piano Quintet ... Bax. Legend - Delta/Revolution 1963

Sir Edward ElgarPiano Quintet in A minor, op.84
I: Moderato - Allegro  ~  II: Adagio  ~  III: Moderato - Allegro       
Sir Arnold Bax:  Legend  (for Viola and Piano)            
2 files zip FLAC   Mega Download
The Aeolian String Quartet  with  Leonard Cassini,  piano  
(Sydney Humphreys  &  Raymond Keenlyside, violins - Watson Forbes, viola - Derek Simpson, 'cello)
Revolution  RCB 8   STEREO  1970 CBS UK pressing/matrices: REVB 8x -3E / REVB 8y -2E.  Originally: mono Delta  DEL 12024      NOT ON CD 
Slight de-click (1.4) + slight added treble. The performance of the Quintet is mostly quite gentle/subdued...the Bax(music) is pretty ghastly!!  

The sound is very 'dead' and rather 'smoothed'.... not to the standard of these original 1960's stereo LP's >>>      Sleeve-note / Hi-Fi News + EMG reviews >>>

Aeolian Quartet play Vaughan Williams / Elgar Quartets (Summit 1965) >>>         Aeolian Qt / Loveday / Cassini - Elgar String Qt & Violin Sonata (Concert Artist 1966) >>>