Columbia SAX 2264 Oistrakh and Fournier in the Brahms Double
Columbia SAX 2264
Brahms Double Concerto, Tragic Overture
David Oistrakh, violin
Pierre Fournier, cello
Philharmonia Orchestra
Alceo Galliera, conductor
Pressing: ER2
Stampers: YAX 41-2, YAX 24-9
Performance: 10/10
Sound: 8/10
Price range: $28-978, mean $207 on popsike
Comments: This is the recording which sold me on the Brahms Double Concerto. In its original blue/silver pressing, this record can fetch a fortune. I snatched up a second label pressing of this -- which also was not cheap -- knowing that it would be very difficult to get an original copy in an affordable price range. As you can see, there is an interesting phenomenon with the cover of this record. I guess with some of the pressings, EMI sold them in the mono cover (33cx 1487, rather than SAX 2264) and slapped a stereo sticker on the front. That was a little disappointing, but this aside, I have not regretted this purchase. This is, in summary, a lovely album. Oistrakh and Fournier are a perfect duo for the Double, and their instruments truly sing on this record. For an early SAX recording, the sound is excellent. The soloists are well placed, and as I sit in front of my speakers, they seem to be playing right in front of me. The Philharmonia directed by Galliera accompanies them very nicely. While I wonder if the blue/silver could sound better, I am perfectly satisfied with this second label. A benchmark recording of the Double Concerto for me. The Tragic Overture is also given an exciting reading.
Pressing: ER2
Stampers: YAX 41-2, YAX 24-9
Performance: 10/10
Sound: 8/10
Price range: $28-978, mean $207 on popsike
Comments: This is the recording which sold me on the Brahms Double Concerto. In its original blue/silver pressing, this record can fetch a fortune. I snatched up a second label pressing of this -- which also was not cheap -- knowing that it would be very difficult to get an original copy in an affordable price range. As you can see, there is an interesting phenomenon with the cover of this record. I guess with some of the pressings, EMI sold them in the mono cover (33cx 1487, rather than SAX 2264) and slapped a stereo sticker on the front. That was a little disappointing, but this aside, I have not regretted this purchase. This is, in summary, a lovely album. Oistrakh and Fournier are a perfect duo for the Double, and their instruments truly sing on this record. For an early SAX recording, the sound is excellent. The soloists are well placed, and as I sit in front of my speakers, they seem to be playing right in front of me. The Philharmonia directed by Galliera accompanies them very nicely. While I wonder if the blue/silver could sound better, I am perfectly satisfied with this second label. A benchmark recording of the Double Concerto for me. The Tragic Overture is also given an exciting reading.
Update 7/31/15
I found a blue/silver copy for $3 and am posting images the actual stereo issue cover and first pressing label.
I found a blue/silver copy for $3 and am posting images the actual stereo issue cover and first pressing label.
Available on Concert Classic SXLP 30185 which would be more like a black and white pressing. For just a little bit more I intend to try the second pressing on this one. Perhaps, this will cure my aversion for 2nd pressings in the SAX line up.
ReplyDeleteJust sneaked another copy of this on Ebay for ... $3. Some record dealer who was selling mostly rock and R&B had this listing for Buy It Now for $3. He rated it as good for cover and good for record with the comment "some slight surface marks from use". No info on pressing but I didn't care. It's probably a second label pressing or a postage stamp. Even if the record is beat up, I can upgrade my current cover which is actually a mono cover with a stereo sticker on it.
DeleteOkay, just found out from the seller that it is in fact a BLUE AND SILVER! I will let you know how the record looks and sounds. If this ends up being a VG+ copy or better, that might be the lowest price this album has ever sold for as a first pressing!
DeleteYou lucky bastard!
ReplyDeleteNothing like getting a deal.
Haha, let's just hope it doesn't arrive looking like a dog just chewed on it. Ain't no cartridge or phono stage gonna fix that problem.
DeleteI wrote in another place on this blog, that I had bought some years ago a copy of the WRC edition of this, but it turned out to be completely unlistenable and I threw it away. So, a few weeks back I gave it another chance and ordered it again from a British dealer. It almost backfired again, the dealer took almost 3 weeks to ship it and when I received a shipping notification from discogs I had forgotten I had ordered it! Still, it turned up, a nice VG+ copy with the exact same cover and stampers as the vaunted Blue/silver label. Only difference is the label, which has the WRC strobe label. Sounds pretty much like aglam describes too. By the way, your copy, if you still have it, is it in good condition? you never told us...
ReplyDeleteKostaszag, unfortunately, I no longer have this copy, but it was pretty clean. At least a VG+ if not better. I'd love to get a hold of the WRC version you mention (sounds like you get a excellent copy!), but the shipping costs from the UK to US are pretty high are probably more than the cost of the album. I have yet to post about this on the blog, but I have been exploring the early US Angel pressings of these famous EMI SAX and ASD recordings. I have to kick myself for ignoring these for years. To my ears, these sound excellent and come very close if not match the sonics of the UK versions. They have that same tubey sound and the best ones have pretty huge dynamics. They are also a minor fraction of the price. I am hoping to pick up a clean copy Angel of the double concerto above for between $3-10. Will keep you posted.
Delete