Carl Schuricht Paris Conservatoire Orchestra Tchaikovsky: Capriccio Italien; Theme and Variations Decca, 2017 Recorded in 1953.
Kent Nagano Berlin Philharmonic Messiaen: Turangalîla Symphony Teldec, 2001 with Pierre-Laurent Aimard, piano and Dominique Kim on the ondes martenot
Victor recordings from 1927 (Rhapsody, Mississippi) & 1932 (Canyon), as well as a Columbia recording from 1928 (Concerto). The Concerto here is in its first recording, a shortened arrangement by Grofe' to fit it on four 78 sides. Pianist Roy Bargy is the soloist & Biederbecke is featured on cornet. The Rhapsody is shortened to 9 minutes in order to fit on a single 78 & Gershwin himself is the pianist. The orchestra is essentially a dance band with strings. The Rhapsody is disappointing due to its truncation & the balance which disadvantages the piano. The other recordings are very enjoyable. Produced & transferred by Roger Beardsley.
Isaac Stern, Saint-Saëns, Chausson, Fauré, Orchestre De Paris, Daniel Barenboim Isaac Stern Plays Saint-Saëns: Violin Concerto No. 3, Chausson: Poème For Violin And Orchestra, Fauré: Berceuse, Op. 16 Columbia Masterworks, 1977
The Sibelius obsession continues. . . just tracked down a (slightly) used copy of this 3 CD set of the entire symphonic cycle, apparently the first complete one on record (Anthony Collins on Decca did one around the same time). Sixten Ehrling conducting the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic. Very idiomatic Scandinavian interpretations. Unfortunately, according to the liner notes, due to tape degradation these have been transferred from U.S. Mercury LP pressings, or in some cases the original Swedish parts from the Metronome Records release there. . . . and NoNoised. (1999 transfers). Good bass, but the top end is a bit muffled. Still, nice to have this historic set for about the price ($37) that just one of the original mono LPs on Mercury goes for on the market.
On the turntable tonight. Looks like this was mastered by Tim Young. There is also a "10-4" on each LP, don't know what that means but since it's sort of a universal signal for "okay" in the US, I wonder if it means that mother stamper passed inspection...if anyone has any insight, please let me know!
from the new Carl Schuricht Decca box Wilhelm Backhaus Vienna Philharmonic Carl Schuricht Brahms: Piano Concerto no. 2 recorded in 1953
Now playing, CD 24: Morton Gould – Symphony No.4 "West Point" — Eastman Wind Ensemble – Frederick Fennell Vittorio Giannini – Symphony No.3 for Winds — Eastman Wind Ensemble – A. Clyde Roller Alan Hovhaness – Symphony No.4 for Winds Op.165 — Eastman Wind Ensemble – A. Clyde Roller (Mercury Living Presence)
Bavouzet continues his excellent series of Haydn piano sonatas. Jean-Efflam Bavouzet Haydn: Piano Sonatas, Vol. 6 Chandos, 2017
Enjoying this marvelous sounding LP tonight...light plum colored and thin vinyl, but it sure is a player.
Michael Gielen Edition: Vol. 4 9 CDs SWR Music, 2017 There are very worthwhile interpretations in this box. On a first listen I was especially taken with Liszt: Mephisto Waltz no. 1 Weber: Concerto for Piano & Orchestra no. 2/ with Ludwig Hoffman, piano Rachmaninov: Isle of the Dead Suk: A Summer Tale After hearing the Suk: A Summer Tale with Gielen and several months ago with Kirill Petrenko, I don't know why this Suk composition isn't programmed more often.
On the turntable...the London Symphony. Boult's account here is wonderful, and the digital remaster and Direct Metal Mastering make for a superb sounding LP.
Dmitri Shostakovich Mstislav Rostropovich Cello Concerto No. 2 Warner Classics, 2017 This was a RSD release that I picked up. As a pressing, firmly in "novelty" territory but the music is quite good, I think. It sort of spurred my recent rekindling interest in a Classical dive.
On the turntable...my LP is a brown label Angel, so it's not the quietest vinyl in the world but it's okay. A thoughtful and probing account of Sibelius 2, IMO.
