Columbia SAX 2260: Klemperer conducts Beethoven's Pastoral Symphony
Beethoven: Symphony No. 6 in F Major, Op. 68 "Pastoral"
Otto Klemperer, conductor
Philharmonia Orchestra
Pressing: UK, ER2 semi-circle
Condition: NM
Stampers: YAX 39-10, 40-10
Date first published: 1958
Performance: 10/10
Sound: 6/10
Price range: $19-411 (mean $55 on popsike.com)
Comments: There is not much more to say about Otto Klemperer's reference recordings of the nine Beethoven symphonies with the Philharmonia Orchestra for the UK Columbia label. These have withstood the test of time and, though not every one may like Klemperer's interpretations or generally slower tempos (just juxtapose them to any of the more modern cycles by Gunter Wand, Riccardo Chailly, Paavo Jarvi, or Daniel Barenboim) they will always be considered one of the finest Beethoven cycles to ever have been recorded. This Pastoral is no exception, though if I had to pick an analog era Pastoral to hang my hat on, it would probably be the Bruno Walter recording with the Columbia Symphony for US Columbia. I will reserve my comments for the sonic attributes of this record. I'm not sure if it's a pressing issue (mine is, as you can see from the photo, a semi-circle second pressing), but I was not bowled over by the sound on this one. The orchestra sounds rather distant, enclosed in what is a relatively narrow but deep soundstage. There is a lack of openness to the sound, which I might describe as cavernous. Dynamic range is also somewhat constricted, and there is not much in the bass department. I've heard better on the more recent digital remaster. Is it possible that the blue and silver first pressing could offer an improvement? I'm not sure. My colleague Meles happens to own the EMI SLS boxed set of the complete Klemperer Beethoven symphony recordings with the postage stamp labels. Perhaps he could give his thoughts on how the Pastoral in this set sounds on his system.
I've got this on an ASD color stamp pressing. I don't recall how much improvement this garners, but I am sure it is better. My Beethoven 2 Klemperer ASD is quite nice and nearly a 4.5 for sound. The bass on the ASD gets the job done well.
ReplyDeleteI have a Blue and Silver of one of these (I think the seventh). I prefer the color stamp ASDs. Brace yourself for sonic dissappointment if you must have an original pressing in the Klemperer Beethoven cycle. A ring or later pressing might also be interesting if they exist.