If I had to pick a favourite it would be Barbirolli and the PO on HMV ASD 548
but I also like all of the following in no particular order
Sargent and the PO on HMV SXLP 20007 Boult and the LPO on WRC ST 158 (an original WRC recording later released on CFP 40022) Solti and the CSO on Decca SXL 6795 Monteux and the LSO on VICS 1107 Haitink with the Concertgebouw on Phillips 6500 481
May have all of these except the Haitink (Boult on CFP 40022) and have never really formed a strong opinion on any of them.
The old TAS Super Disc list also has Mehta/LA on Decca. Another audiofool find would be the Reference Recordings Mastercut with Michael Stern and the Kansas City Symphony Orchestra. I'd never even noticed that one before.
I'll echo the Monteux LSO on RCA Living Stereo, though I have to favor the Classic Records reissue above the original shaded dog for its markedly improved dynamics and clarity.
One I've recently found but played yet is Barbirolli with the Halle Orchestra on PYE GSGC 4057. Pairing is unusual in that it has Andre Navarra playing the Cello Concerto with JB and the Halle.
I assume this was recorded by Robert Fine and his team as many other Barbirolli/Halle titles on Pye? I have Barbirolli/Halle Mozart Symphony Nos. 41 & 29 on GSCG 14060 and it is quite vivid.
Norman del Mar and the Bournemouth SO on Contour Classics (2870 440) from 1975 - was reissued on CD by DGG. It was a superb, performance and recording. Pressings very good. Not widely available. Unfortunately coupled with those jingoistic pieces of "empire" the PCMs.
Will write again about what I am finding in my traversal of my 5,000+ vinyl LPs. Now just plowing through "I" - Ives and soon onto Janacek, looking forward to this prospect.
Had a bit of a rest from vinyl to listen to backlog of CDs - so pleased to not hear surface noise and to be able to rest for longer periods without having to get up and turn the "flipping" disc over.
Welcome back, Douglas! It's good to hear from you! I think many of us take a digital diversion from time to time, myself included. I also recently took a vinyl hiatus, more due to time constraints than lack of interest, but I'm getting back into listening. Looking forward to more of your thoughts as you dig through your collection!
In some sort of order, but not absolute: Barbirolli/ PO ASD 548. G/W sounds great. Boult/ LSO ASD 2750. Sargent/ PO Concert Classics SXLP 20007. Sargent/ LSO Decca ACL 55. Elgar/ Royal Albert Hall Orch. ALP 1464. Barbirolli/Halle Pye CCL 30101 not great sound. A. Davis/ New PO Lyrita SRCS 77. great sound; can't quite get into the performance. And yes, vinyl is good for you. David
The Barbirolli/Halle performance was a Mercury team production as a joint venture with Pye in the UK, Mercury's licensee in the UK in that era. Was a mono only recording until the Pye Golden Guinea release which was the Stereo debut. I own the US mono Mercury Living Presence amd the UK Golden Guinea.
If I had to pick a favourite it would be Barbirolli and the PO on HMV ASD 548
ReplyDeletebut I also like all of the following in no particular order
Sargent and the PO on HMV SXLP 20007
Boult and the LPO on WRC ST 158 (an original WRC recording later released on CFP 40022)
Solti and the CSO on Decca SXL 6795
Monteux and the LSO on VICS 1107
Haitink with the Concertgebouw on Phillips 6500 481
May have all of these except the Haitink (Boult on CFP 40022) and have never really formed a strong opinion on any of them.
DeleteThe old TAS Super Disc list also has Mehta/LA on Decca. Another audiofool find would be the Reference Recordings Mastercut with Michael Stern and the Kansas City Symphony Orchestra. I'd never even noticed that one before.
I have the SACD of the Reference Recording, which I do like a lot. It would be interesting to do a comparison with the vinyl cut.
DeleteBelieve it or not, Jochum/LSO! Also Monteux, and Elgar's own (electrical) recording.
ReplyDeleteI'll echo the Monteux LSO on RCA Living Stereo, though I have to favor the Classic Records reissue above the original shaded dog for its markedly improved dynamics and clarity.
ReplyDeleteOne I've recently found but played yet is Barbirolli with the Halle Orchestra on PYE GSGC 4057. Pairing is unusual in that it has Andre Navarra playing the Cello Concerto with JB and the Halle.
ReplyDeleteThat looks like a great pairing to me! How is the Navarra performance?
DeleteI assume this was recorded by Robert Fine and his team as many other Barbirolli/Halle titles on Pye? I have Barbirolli/Halle Mozart Symphony Nos. 41 & 29 on GSCG 14060 and it is quite vivid.
DeleteNorman del Mar and the Bournemouth SO on Contour Classics (2870 440) from 1975 - was reissued on CD by DGG. It was a superb, performance and recording. Pressings very good. Not widely available. Unfortunately coupled with those jingoistic pieces of "empire" the PCMs.
ReplyDeleteWill write again about what I am finding in my traversal of my 5,000+ vinyl LPs. Now just plowing through "I" - Ives and soon onto Janacek, looking forward to this prospect.
Had a bit of a rest from vinyl to listen to backlog of CDs - so pleased to not hear surface noise and to be able to rest for longer periods without having to get up and turn the "flipping" disc over.
Cheers,
Douglas (UK)
Welcome back, Douglas! It's good to hear from you! I think many of us take a digital diversion from time to time, myself included. I also recently took a vinyl hiatus, more due to time constraints than lack of interest, but I'm getting back into listening. Looking forward to more of your thoughts as you dig through your collection!
DeleteVinyl is good for you. Keep it movin!
DeleteIn some sort of order, but not absolute: Barbirolli/ PO ASD 548. G/W sounds great. Boult/ LSO ASD 2750. Sargent/ PO Concert Classics SXLP 20007. Sargent/ LSO Decca ACL 55. Elgar/ Royal Albert Hall Orch. ALP 1464. Barbirolli/Halle Pye CCL 30101 not great sound. A. Davis/ New PO Lyrita SRCS 77. great sound; can't quite get into the performance. And yes, vinyl is good for you.
ReplyDeleteDavid
The Barbirolli/Halle performance was a Mercury team production as a joint venture with Pye in the UK, Mercury's licensee in the UK in that era. Was a mono only recording until the Pye Golden Guinea release which was the Stereo debut. I own the US mono Mercury Living Presence amd the UK Golden Guinea.
ReplyDelete