Bargain Bin Find: Philips 88 083 DY: Maazel conducts Handel
Handel: Wassermusik-Suite, Feuerwerksmusik
Lorin Maazel, conductor
RSO Berlin
Pressing: German
Condition: EXStampers: AA 88083 2Y X 670 11
Date first published: 1966
Performance: 7/10
Sound: 7/10
Price range: N/AComments: I found this LP for about $2 at a local record shop within the last year. This is the German pressing of Philips SAL 3583 (re-released in the 1970s as 6850 009), but I can't imagine that this pressing is lacking at all in comparison to its UK or Dutch counterparts. It's a decent "big band" performance of these two Handel warhorses, with tempos that are relatively swift and orchestral playing by the RSO Berlin that is pretty polished. I still found myself marginally preferring Szell's recording with the LSO (not the original ED1 Decca but the later ED2 or narrow band) and Malcolm Sargent's with the RPO, but this one is still enjoyable and worth a listen, especially if you really like this repertoire. The recording quality is respectable, coming from Philips, with a full orchestral sound presented with clarity and a nicely captured hall ambience.
Update 4/21/24:
I found a lighter plum label German pressing of this at a record shop in Berlin for 3 euros. The sound is richer and fuller than that of the later pressing I described above. I have to concur with what @Kostaszag said in his comment below. This is great sounding recording and spirited performance of these Handel works.
My favorite recording of the Suites, I find the recording OK, but the orchestral playing and conducting is excellent and so much pure, unadulterated FUN! They make it sound like a music for a party, not a grandiose, majestic, stiff affair for a king and courtiers. I read somewhere that it sold 1 million copies, which I believe, since I have been stumbling on this record at flea markets, used record stores and book shops all over Europe for 3 decades. My Dutch red label copy has the same stamper numbers. I might look for a plum label, just for fun.
ReplyDeleteWow, I had no idea it was such a bestseller at the time! It is a fun disc! I haven’t listened to them in a while, but the Malcolm Sargent ASD and the Szell on London/Decca have been among my favorite analog versions.
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