Symphony no.2 in E flat, op.63
Side 1. I: Allegro vivace e nobilemente ~ II: Largetto // Side 2. III: Rondo (Presto) ~ IV: Moderato e maestoso.
The Hallé Orchestra conducted by Sir John Barbirolli 2 files zip FLAC Mega Download
HMV ALP 1242 1962 pressing. Matrices: 2XEA 645 -6N / 2XEA 646 -6N. Recorded: 8-9 June 1954 - Free Trade Hall, Manchester
Funfair: "...the ultimate showcase for Pristine, whose raison d’être is Ultimate Sound Quality....Sound is remarkable.." No Kidding, Barnaby Rayfield....and it becomes 'Remarkable' with the added treble-fizz/hazy reverb - not to mention indistinct/discoloured woodwind??
Compare the woodwind from 2'40" of Mr Pristine's mvt.3 sample Even a MusicWeb reviewer noticed the 'glassiness'..
Based on the superiority of the 1977 John Barbirolli Society RVW Sym 7 (SJB100 - PYE mastered/pressing) compared to the HMV ALP - then their 1978? reissue of this might provide a better 'source'.. (Boult's 1944 BBC SO recording is on HISTORICAL)
1957 EMG review >>> November 2015: slightly declicked (1.2) + very slight treble EQ added
Thank you for this, and your many recent uploads.
ReplyDeleteEven though the reviews are correct about this performance, it was still an interesting one and in my opinion worth hearing - it gave a lot of perspective for me, as it's very different from the three other versions i have, being much lighter.
PS: We, "customers" of yours, might be as silent as usual, but at least the numbers are up... :) Really, thanks a lot for continuing this blog. (And this is a coincidence but it's only today that i got to listen to this.)
DeleteI couldn't resist adding that 'comment' yesterday - though have not checked the actual download numbers.
DeleteIn any event am quite (....) sceptical about the Gramophone reviewer (quoted elsewhere) - as this looks more like EMI delaying the recording for some other reason than 'holding it back' for the centenary in 1957 - especially as the 1949 Boult/LPO Sym.1 was issued on LP soon after EMI adopted that format.
"EMG Monthly Letter" reviews are generally quite reliable: there was no advertising, for starters..!!!