Columbia SAX 2416: Giulini's high octane Tchaikovsky 2nd
Columbia SAX 2416
Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 2 in C Minor "Little Russian"
Moussorgsky: A Night on the Bare Mountain
Carlo Maria Giulini, conductor
Philharmonia Orchestra
Pressing: UK, ES1
Condition: NM
Date first published:
Stampers: YAX 431-3, 432-3
Performance: 10/10
Sound: 8+/10
Price range: $31-126 (mean $67) on popsike.com
Comments: Another of my favorite Columbia SAX recordings. These are high-energy performances by Giulini and the Philharmonia. Listening to this record, it is hard to believe that Giulini's tempos tended to slow down later in his career. I don't think I've ever heard the final movement of the "Little Russian" played at this fast a tempo, and the Philharmonia tears through it as if the world depended upon it, without any perceivable difficulty or sacrifice of ensemble or textural clarity. This is, hands down, the most riveting Tchaikovsky 2nd I've heard on vinyl. The same goes for the Night on the Bare Mountain, which starts off as if the whole orchestra were on speed. The sound is characteristic of the SAX tube sound: big dynamics (and in this case, without any hint of distortion), thundering bass (perhaps venturing on the boomy side), and an overall tube warmth that makes it sometimes seem like treble extension is limited. The cymbal crashes in Night on the Bare Mountain are high impact. As usual, hall acoustics are well appreciated here. The soundstage is quite deep (EMI seems to have favored this more laid-back presentation on these early stereo recordings), rendering the orchestral sound a wee bit cavernous at times. In any case, don't let these minor details detract you from this otherwise highly enjoyable recording!
I know that Tin Ear is waiting to share some info up his sleeve regarding the SXLP Concert Classics reissue!
10/10 for Flopperoo status.
ReplyDeleteIncompetent (clueless/awkward) orchestral playing - recorded by Columbia's 'B-Team' - orchestra situated some way down a Railway Tunnel - very limited dynamic-range - really feeble 'faded' sound - thought so in 1983 (SXLP 30509 c/w 1963 'Francesca')...a waste of £2.49.
Stick with Guilini's nice Tchaik 6 (SAX2368) - commonplace as B/S - detailed/delicate dynamic sound - better than the 1976 reissue on SXLP30208 - except for some bass detail.
Beecham's 1954 Philips LP renders this 'Little Russian' quite irrelevant.
Tell us how you really feel. I luv it! Is the SXLP bad sounding? I guess so. Nice recommendation on the early Giulini Blue and Silver SAX2368.
DeleteI've got this (on AQL's recc if I recall) and I don't recall being astounded, but I will listen tonight and report. Tchaikovsky 2 is not recorded often. I believe I have a nice Muti on later ASD that is well regarded as interpretation.
This is the intel people want on this stuff and please feel free to rip us when you don't agree. Awesome! in the good ole days the fruit and vegetables would come out at the actual performances, so why not here. AQL is covered right now.
It sounds like your comment about the "railway tunnel" is analogous to my comment about the "cavernous nature" of the orchestral sound. I have found that to be true in a number of early EMI stereo recordings ... was this just a part of the SAX "house sound"? The Karajan Pictures on SAX has a similar sound profile.
DeleteThe SAX pressing, on the contrary, is not feeble, at least on my system. The dynamics are quite good. I agree with your assessment of the 6th, which has been reviewed here previously.
I have not heard the Beecham for comparison. I do also like Dorati on Mercury as well as Muti on EMI.
My 3/3 pressing may not be perfect condition (looks fine), but I don't think the sound matches SAX2411 for instance. My pressing seems to struggle with a touch of dryness and less than pristine treble... On to the Muti...
DeleteThe Muti gets the job done with reasonable sonics. Quite a contrast in performance. Giulini is extremely well thought of for this performance, but for me the sonics get in the way. I suspect I may just have a cold record versus AQL's pressing. I am a long way away from 8+ for sound. I like the speedier Muti, The Muti is an Honorable Mention on Salvatore's site and that is all the higher it deserves.
DeleteHaha - it looks like I stand alone with my more enthusiastic comments about this LP. Ah well, one man's trash is another man's treasure, so they say. I have heard the Muti on CD (Brilliant Classics compilation) and thought it was excellent, so with your comments, I'd be interested in seeking it out on vinyl.
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