London Blueback CS 6058: Massenet and Meyerbeer a la Martinon
Massenet: Le Cid Ballet Music
Meyerbeer (arr. Lambert): Les Patineurs Ballet
The Israel Philharmonic Orchestra
Jean Martinon, conductor
Pressing: UK, ED1
Stampers: ZAL-4047-1E, ZAL-4048-1E
Mother #: 2 over 1 (side 1), 7C (side 2)
Buckingham code: BG (side 1), UN (side 2)
Date first published: 1958
Performance: 8/10
Sound: 8/10
Price range: $25-234 (mean $51) on popsike.com [Decca SXL 2021 $21-335 (mean $112)]
Comments: A very nice sounding Decca recording. The music is light-hearted, vibrant, and colorful. On side 1, we have the ballet music from Jules Massenet's opera Le Cid. Side 2 is filled out with Les Patineurs (The Skaters), Constant Lambert's ballet arrangement of vocal and dance numbers taken from two of Giacomo Meyerbeer's operas, Le Prophete and L'Etoile du Nord. I can't say that I've heard many recordings of these works, but the Israel Philharmonic under Martinon's direction gives a strong performance. This 1E/1E pressing delivered the musical goods with aplomb on my all-tube system. In the opening measures of Le Cid, the sound of the strings is rich and resonant, and the percussion part is taut and impactful. Side 2 has similar, pleasing sonic attributes. Overall, dynamics are quite powerful (is it just me or do ballet albums seem to top the audiophile lists? Ballet Music for the Opera (LSC-2400)? LSC-2449? LDS-6065 Royal Ballet Gala?). The orchestra has a presentation that is just right, not too immediate and not too laid back. Soundstaging is both wide and deep, and individual instruments, particularly winds, are well imaged. In contrast to the last two Blueback LPs reviewed here, there was no audible distortion to fault the record playback. I was simply drawn to the realism and presence of this valve recording. Definitely one worth seeking for the collection, and you shouldn't have to break the bank!
There is a modest price differential between the London and Decca issues. I'd recommend getting the Blueback and saving the spare change for more records. Your move.
Gray and Moon in Full Frequency Stereophonic Sound give this record dual 7's for performance and sound.
Performance: 8/10
Sound: 8/10
Price range: $25-234 (mean $51) on popsike.com [Decca SXL 2021 $21-335 (mean $112)]
Comments: A very nice sounding Decca recording. The music is light-hearted, vibrant, and colorful. On side 1, we have the ballet music from Jules Massenet's opera Le Cid. Side 2 is filled out with Les Patineurs (The Skaters), Constant Lambert's ballet arrangement of vocal and dance numbers taken from two of Giacomo Meyerbeer's operas, Le Prophete and L'Etoile du Nord. I can't say that I've heard many recordings of these works, but the Israel Philharmonic under Martinon's direction gives a strong performance. This 1E/1E pressing delivered the musical goods with aplomb on my all-tube system. In the opening measures of Le Cid, the sound of the strings is rich and resonant, and the percussion part is taut and impactful. Side 2 has similar, pleasing sonic attributes. Overall, dynamics are quite powerful (is it just me or do ballet albums seem to top the audiophile lists? Ballet Music for the Opera (LSC-2400)? LSC-2449? LDS-6065 Royal Ballet Gala?). The orchestra has a presentation that is just right, not too immediate and not too laid back. Soundstaging is both wide and deep, and individual instruments, particularly winds, are well imaged. In contrast to the last two Blueback LPs reviewed here, there was no audible distortion to fault the record playback. I was simply drawn to the realism and presence of this valve recording. Definitely one worth seeking for the collection, and you shouldn't have to break the bank!
There is a modest price differential between the London and Decca issues. I'd recommend getting the Blueback and saving the spare change for more records. Your move.
Gray and Moon in Full Frequency Stereophonic Sound give this record dual 7's for performance and sound.
I agree with Moon, a 7. Platineurs is very lean in the bass department yielding a dryish sound. Try the shaded dog of this piece. Le Cid has nowhere near impact of klavier or original studio 2. I must have a lesser copy. Get these other two lps.
ReplyDeleteMy 1E/1E SXL pressing is easily bettered on sound quality by my 4L/4L pressing on FFRR SDD 139. The Ace of Diamonds version is an absolute bargain
ReplyDeleteThanks for your input, AndyW! I had completely forgotten that I had briefly reviewed the London Stereo Treasury (equivalent to the SDD) months ago and found it be quite good soundwise. A bargain indeed.
DeleteThanks for your input, AndyW! I had completely forgotten that I had briefly reviewed the London Stereo Treasury (equivalent to the SDD) months ago and found it be quite good soundwise. A bargain indeed.
DeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteAm I missing something?
I cannot find the links on your blogspot in order to download the album that you are commenting upon.
Or are you only discussing the albums?
Look forward to downloading some of these "worthy" albums at some point in the near future.
Cheers,
Douglas (UK)
Hi Douglas - thanks so much for reading our blog! Unfortunately, we haven't gotten to the point of uploading sound recordings of the LPs that we discuss (I don't have the technology to do this on my home system), but in some cases, I try to provide a link to a youtube video of the recording when available. Please feel free to share with us any of your comments!
DeleteBest wishes,
Albert