Recorded 11/1/56 & 3/27-28/57, Kingsway Hall, London. Producer: Walter Legge. Engineer: Douglas Larter. First issued by Columbia in the UK & Angel in the US. This later Angel Red Line reissue sounds quite good.
I just did not have the patience to spend such a long time to complete this collection. Were some of the boxes released when CD's had already hit the market?
I don't exactly remember release dates. I bought some of them new and then chased down the rest on eBay. One or two of them were extremely hard to find but my persistence paid off.
First listen to new arrival, "Purcell - Dido & Aeneas" performed by the Taverner Choir and Taverner Players conducted by Andrew Parrott on Chandos Chaconne. Featuring (the lovely and talented) Emma Kirkby (soprano), David Thomas (bass) and Judith Nelson (soprano).
On the turntable, record 4 of 4 from "Mozart - The Complete Piano Concertos Vol. 4" performed by Murray Perahia leading the English Chamber Orchestra on CBS Masterworks. Concerto No. 27 / Rondo K. 382
I second @Daedalus opera recommendations. Not only some of the "best" Pavarotti on record, but arguably some of the finest recordings of those operas! A few highlights of those magnificent operas are of course collected on his LPs and that Greatest Hits 2LP you have. Actually, you're well-served by that one (that's the one with Pavarotti on the cover dressed as a clown, right?). Much of it is culled from Pavarotti's early and "best" period. I bought that 2LP in the early 80s, still have it and also the CD. But if you want more (and not full operas) Pavarotti's early Decca albums are exemplary. Keep in mind a small amount of these will already be on your Greatest Hits LP. I strongly recommend these (and at giveaway prices!) Luciano Pavarotti , Tenor Wiener Opernorchester* , Dirigent: Edward Downes - Arien Von Verdi Und Donizetti Luciano Pavarotti - Primo Tenore Luciano Pavarotti - The World's Favourite Tenor Arias If you like those, then proceed through the 70s albums with confidence. I had all of these on vinyl, then moved to the early CD issues and the subsequent remastered Studio Albums box set. Not sure if you do CD but this box seems to be cheaper in Australia than overseas - not often you can say that! I've seen it cheaper than this, but for reference... Pavarotti: The Studio Albums (12CD)
I have a vinyl copy too but didn't get around to the CD until last weekend (I usually grab the Harvard Flentrop organ versions). The surround is great. Bring a Babka and some butter and I'll spin it for ya.
Thank you sir - can't tell you how much I appreciate the time you took to provide your opinions and insight!! And yes - the Greatest Hits LP I have is the one with him dressed as a clown...
First listen to "Vivaldi - Concerti per flauto traversiere" performed by Barthold Kuijken (flute and director) and Academia Montis Regalis on Naive.
