EMI HMV ASD 304: Popular Movements from Symphonies

EMI HMV ASD 304
Popular Movements from the Symphonies


Andre Cluytens, conductor
Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra

Pressing: UK, ED1, gold/cream

Condition: VG+

Date first published: 1959

Stampers:
2YVH 9-1, 10-4

Performance: 6-7/10

Sound: 7/10

Price range: $37-300 (mean $94) on popsike.com

Comments:  A somewhat atypical EMI release containing a potpourri of symphonic movements by Beethoven, Mozart, Mendelssohn, Dvorak, and Tchaikovsky that is among the rarer birds in the EMI/HMV early stereo catalog.  While I am generally a fan of Andre Cluytens the conductor, I wouldn't exactly put this recording on my "must-have" list of his discography.  The performances are not the most inspired to my ears, and unfortunately none of them left an indelible mark on me.  The first movement of Beethoven's 5th and third movement of the 8th are among the better performances here.  In contrast, the first movement of Mozart's 40th fails to do much of anything, and the third movement of Tchaikovsky's 4th sounds too polite when compared with more passionate interpretations by Mravinsky, Markevitch, and Muti.  The addition of the opening movement of Mozart's Eine Kleine Nachtmusik makes the album title a bit of a misnomer, but I suspect it was thrown in for popular appeal.  The Largo movement of Dvorak's New World Symphony is sadly tainted by a rather bland and blase sounding English horn solo.  The record concludes with the third movement of Tchaikovsky's 6th that also lacks in intensity, especially when juxtaposed with Mravinsky or Giulini.  The sound is warm and tubey with decent dynamics and bass depth.  My copy revealed some mild distortion in more dynamic passages in the Tchaikovsky 6th.  In summary, this one is primarily for die-hard Cluytens collectors. 


Comments

  1. Haha. Amazed this one is worth that much. Not aware of a major label making such an LP.

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  2. You must have gotten this one cheap I hope.

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    Replies
    1. I wish I had ... this was an E-bay purchase.

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