EMI ASD 582: Efrem Kurtz's Rockin' Russian, Part 1

EMI HMV ASD 582

Rimsky-Korsakov: Tsar Sultan Suite, The Snow Maiden Suite, Dubinushka
Khachaturian: Masquerade - Waltz and Galop

Efrem Kurtz, conductor
Philharmonia Orchestra

Pressing: UK, ED1 (semi-circle 1st)

Condition: NM

Date first published: 1964

Stampers:
2YEA 866-3
2YEA 867-1

Performance: 10/10

Sound: 9/10

Price range: $24-135 (mean $67) on popsike

Comments: Yes, you've heard me blog before about the "4 K's" of EMI/HMV, and while I've recently paid some tribute to Kubelik and Kempe, it was high time that I directed some attention to Efrem Kurtz, because his recordings for EMI in the 1960s are among my absolute favorites of the EMI catalog.  This LP is one of them.  We have here a collection of Russian favorites, from Rimsky-Korsakov's colorfully orchestrated suites to The Tsar Sultan and The Snow Maiden to his arrangement of a revolutionary song Dubinushka to the Waltz and Galop movements from Khachaturian's Masquerade Suite.  Kurtz's Rimsky-Korsakov has withstood the tests of time, and his Snow Maiden Suite is a reference recording for me.  I'd also place his performances of the Khachaturian works on par with the perhaps better known RCA recording with Kiril Kondrashin and the RCA Victor Symphony Orchestra (LSC-2398).  The sound quality of this record is representative of EMI's best of the early stereophonic era, with great dynamics, clarity with zero distortion, a sweetness to the midrange and treble, and a wide and deep soundstage.  Highly recommended.