Columbia SAX 5252: Klemperer's Later Mozart and Handel

Columbia SAX 5252

Klemperer conducts Eine Kleine Nachtmusik

Otto Klemperer, conductor
New Philharmonia & Philharmonia Orchestras 

Pressing: UK, ER1, semi-circle first

Condition: EX

Date first published: 1966-67

Stampers:
YAX 1338
YAX 1339

Performance: 8/10


Sound: 9/10 for Eine Kleine Nachtmusik and Concerto Grosso, 7/10 for Symphony No. 25

Price range: $26-73 (mean $42) on popsike.com

Comments: This is relatively late Klemperer on UK Columbia.  The reason to get this album is for the Eine Kleine Nachtmusik and Handel's Concerto Grosso Op. 6, No. 4.  The recorded sound is far better on these works than on the Mozart G minor symphony, with positive marks to be given for clarity, dynamics, hall acoustic, and soundstage width.  I found the tone of the strings to be very pleasing and natural.  With regards to the G minor symphony, I'm pretty sure that this is a rehash of the performance on SAX 2278. I did a side by side comparison, and yes, they sound identical.  That would also explain the difference in sound quality between the first two pieces and this one.


Comments

  1. Trick release (no longer have).
    Mozart 25 + Handel were initially 1957 LP's (latter with the earlier EKN - as 33C1053, then SBO2751 stereo in '58).
    Early Blumlein stereo miking in those two...

    As the 6LP Mozart box shows EKN as (p) 1966 presumably the earlier taping never got an LP reissue??

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    Replies
    1. Many thanks for the clarification!! That would explain it. It tricked me for sure ... I even thought that the Handel was recorded at the same time as EKN. Looks like the EKN was the only "new" work released on that record!

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  2. good to know that this version of the G minor sympathy is not a good sounding one. I really want that symphony and don't have a great one of my collection. I think I have Neville Marriner possibly.

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    Replies
    1. The Neville Marriner is my favorite. That is on Argo and should be easily obtainable for not much dough.

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