24/48: Arturo Toscanini / NBC SO - Manfred Symphony - Nutcracker - Kikimora - RCA 1949-1952

Peter Tchaikovsky:
"Manfred" Symphony in B minor, op.58   (5 December 1949) 
I: Lento lugubre (Andante) ~ II: Vivace con spirito ~ III: Andante con moto ~ IV: Allegro con fuoco

The Nutcracker suite, op.71a   Overture Miniature ~ Marche ~ Dance of the Sugar-Plum Fairy ~ Trepak ~ Arabian Dance ~ Chinese Dance ~ Dance of the Mirlitons ~ Waltz of the Flowers   (19 November 1951)

Anatoli Liadov: "Kikimora", op.63   (29 July 1952)

6 files 16/44 zip FLAC  Mega Download              6 files 24/48 zip XR FLAC  Mega Download

NBC Symphony Orchestra  conducted by  Arturo Toscanini

RCA  RB 16090  1959 Decca LP/matrices: E0LRC3812/3 -1A  +  Franklin Mint (1983) TOS015A / TOS10B.   Recorded: Carnegie Hall.     RCA Sleeve/label + Nutcracker label >>>

24/48: Arturo Toscanini / NBC SO - Debussy. La Mer -&- Iberia - RCA 1950

Claude Debussy: 
"La Mer" - De l'aube a midi sur la mer ~ Jeux de vagues ~ Dialogue du vent et de la mer 
"Iberia" - Par les rues et par les chemins ~ Les Parfums de la nuit ... Le matin d'un jour de fete 

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NBC Symphony Orchestra  conducted by  Arturo Toscanini

RCA Victrola  VIC 1052  1963 LP/Decca. Matrices: E1LRC0241 / E2RC4035 -1A.  Recorded: 1 / 2 June 1950 -NBC Studio 8-H, New York

Sleeve-note + Labels >>>  1935 BBC SO - La Mer / Elgar Enigma >>>

24/48: Arturo Toscanini / NBC SO - Feste Romane ~ Tod und Verklarung ~ Die Walkure ~ Tannhauser - RCA 1949+1952

Richard Strauss: "Tod und Verklarung" op.24   (10 March 1952) 
Richard Wagner: "Die Walkure" - Ride of the Valkyries   (3 January 1952) 
Richard Wagner: "Tannhauser" - Overture & Venusberg music   (8 November 1952  TX)  First LP issue
Ottorino Respighi: "Feste Romane"  (12 December 1949) 

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NBC Symphony Orchestra  conducted by  Arturo Toscanini

Franklin Mint  1983 LP's. TOS08B / TOS013B / TOS09A+B.  Recorded: Carnegie Hall

Thomas Beecham & Clarence Raybould / Walter Susskind - Gounod. Faust (excerpts)- Columbia 1929/30 + HMV 1948

Charles Gounod: "Faust"

A1: Act 1 - "Vain! in vain do I Call...All hail! Brightest of days"
A2: Act 2 - "Light as air at early morning" (Waltz Scene)
A3: Act 3 - "What is it that charms me?...All hail, thou dwelling pure and lonely"
A4: Act 3 - "I wish I could know...O'er the sea in Thule of old" (Ballad of the King of Thule)
A4: Act 3 - "O heav'n, what brilliant gems...Ah! the joy past compare" (Jewel Song)
B1: Act 4 - "The hour is late!" (Garden Scene)
B2: Act 5 - "Begone! My heart is torn with grief" (Prison Scene)

Heddle Nash, Tenor - Robert Easton, Bass - Miriam Licette & Doris Vane, Sopranos
B.B.C. Choir & Orchestra  conducted by  Thomas Beecham & Clarence Raybould**
HMV  HLM 7052  1974 LP/matrices: 2XEA4889/90 -1G. Recorded: April 1929 & January 1930** - Central Hall, Westminster  

Charles Gounod: "Faust" - "The hour is late!" -  Heddle Nash, Tenor - Owen Brannigan, Bass - Joan Hammond, Soprano - Philharmonia Orchestra  conducted by  Walter Susskind
HMV  CLP 3718 (RLS 707: 1972 3LP Box "Old Vic & Sadler's Wells")  Recorded: 20 February 1948 - Studio 1, Abbey Road. 

7 files 16/44 zip FLAC  Mega Download    Bryan Crimp transfers.  Sleeve-note + 1929/30 session details + EMG 1948 review & CLP note >>>

24/48: Artur Schnabel / LSO / Sargent - Mozart. Piano Concertos 19 + 21 - HMV 1937

W.A.Mozart: Piano Concerto no.19 in F major, K.459
I: Allegro - Cadenza - Tempo 1 ~ II: Allegretto ~ III: Allegro assai - Cadenza - Tempo 1

W.A.Mozart: Piano Concerto no.21 in C major, K.467
I: Allegro maestoso - Cadenza - Tempo 1 ~ II: Andante ~ III: Allegro vivace assai - Cadenza - Tempo 1

6 files 16/44 zip FLAC  Mega Download           6 files 24/48 zip XR FLAC Mega Download

Artur Schnabel (piano) - London Symphony Orchestra  conducted by  Malcolm Sargent

EMI World Records  SH 142  First Edition 1971 LP/matrices: W9340/9339 -2. Recorded: 9 & 12 January 1937 - EMI Studio 1, Abbey Road.

Anthony Griffith transfers (near zero 78 surface noises..)   Sleeve-note + 1971 HFN/RR review >>> 

24/48: Sir Adrian Boult / London Philharmonic - Elgar. Symphony 1 -&- Falstaff - HMV 1949/50

Sir Edward Elgar: Symphony no.1 in E flat major, op.55
I: Andante (Nobilmente e semplice) - Allegro ~ II: Allegro molto ~ III: Adagio ~ IV: Lento - Allegro 
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Sir Edward Elgar: "Falstaff" - Symphonic Study in C minor, op.68

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London Philharmonic Orchestra  conducted by  Sir Adrian Boult

HMV  RLS 7716  (sides 1-3 of 1983 4LP set).  Recorded: 26-27 September / 3 October 1949  -&- 17-19 July 1950 - EMI Studio 1, Abbey Road.   

Sym.2  Boult - BBC SO 1944   (< Slight re-edit Jan 2022 & now 4 mvts.)      Sym.1+2  Edward Elgar - LSO 1930+1927     Sir Edward Elgar conducts 1926-1933   1950/1 EMG reviews >>>

The last 3 Elgar posts have likely had some 5 thousand downloads - with just 'Neal's' (who gave-up blogging) comment. Thought I'd just mention that..........

24/48: Sir Thomas Beecham / Royal Philharmonic - Richard Strauss. Bourgeois Gentilhomme ~ Intermezzo ~ Feuersnot ~ Ariadne auf Naxos - HMV 1947-8

Richard Strauss:
"Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme", op 60 - 7 excerpts 
"Intermezzo" - Interlude
"Feuersnot" - Love Scene
"Ariadne auf Naxos" - overture **

4 files zip 16/44 FLAC  Mega Download             4 files zip 24/48 XR FLAC  Mega Download

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra  conducted by  Sir Thomas Beecham

EMI World Records  SH 378 (1980)  -&-  ** RCA  RL 42821 (1979).  Transfers by Keith Hardwick  -&-  ** Ralph Mace (+3db Treble added).
Recorded: February, March, October, November 1947 & March 1948 - EMI Studio 1, Abbey Road (15 Oct 1947 - Ariadne) . 
Sleeve-note / EMG-Beecham Trust review >>>

24/48: Sir Thomas Beecham / Royal Philharmonic Orchestra - Richard Strauss. Ein Heldenleben - HMV 1947

Richard Strauss:  "Ein Heldenleben", op.40

16/44 FLAC  Mega Download          24/48 XR FLAC  Mega Download

Oscar Lampe, solo violin  - Royal Philharmonic Orchestra  conducted by  Sir Thomas Beecham

EMI World Records  SH 1006  (My 1979 LP)     Recorded: 21/28 November & 14 December 1947 - EMI Studio 1, Abbey Road. Transfer by Anthony Griffith  

1948 EMG review / Sleeve-note >>>

Richard Strauss. Don Quixote - New York PSO / Beecham 1932 >>>

24/48: Sir Edward Elgar conducts.... RAHO / LSO / BBC SO / LPO - HMV 1926-1933

"Cockaigne" overture  (RAHO -1926)
Three Bavarian Dances  (LSO -1927/1932)
Pomp and Circumstance Marches 1,2  (RAHO -1926)
Pomp and Circumstance Marches 3,4,5  (LSO -1927/1930)
"The Wand of Youth" suites 1 & 2  (LSO -1928)
9 files zip 16/44 FLAC  Mega Download        9 files zip 24/48 XR FLAC  Mega Download

"The Crown of India" suite  (LSO -1930)
"In the South" overture  (LSO -1930)
Nursery Suite  (LSO -1931)
Severn Suite  (LSO -1932)
Pomp and Circumstance Marches 1,2,4  (BBC SO -1932)
"Froissart" overture  (LPO -1933)
"Contrasts" (LPO -1933)
9 files zip 16/44 FLAC  Mega Download        9 files zip 24/48 XR FLAC  Mega Download

"Land of Hope & Glory" - Pathe Newsreel  (LSO - 12 November 1931)  320/48 mp4 video  Mega Download  

HMV  RLS 713 - selections from the 1976 6LP set. Transfers from metal-parts only:- no salon music,etc, or vocal. Wand of Youth no.2: side 2 was a disc2disc transfer. Anthony Griffith transfers.  

also... 24/48: Symphonies 1 & 2 + Kingdom Prelude  ...the 2x 1957 ALP's  Violin Concerto - Menuhin  +  Enigma - Cockaigne - String Serenade   Recording details >>>  

Sir Thomas Beecham / Royal Philharmonic - Mozart. Flute & Harp Concerto / Divertimento 2 ... Haydn. Symphony 40 - HMV 1947/8

W.A.Mozart:  Flute & Harp Concerto in C major, K.299    (Rene Le Roy, flute  &  Lili Laskine, harp)
I: Allegro (cadenza) ~ II: Andantino (cadenza) ~ III: Rondo (cadenza) 

W.A.Mozart:  Divertimento no.2 in D major, K131
I: Allegro ~ II: Adagio ~ III: Allegretto ~ IV: Menuetto & Trios ~ V:  Menuetto & Trio ~ VI: Adagio-Allegro molto-Allegro assai 

Joseph Haydn:  Symphony no.40 in F major     I: Allegro ~ II: Andante piu tosto-Allegretto ~  ~ III: Menuetto & Trio ~ IV: Allegro
3 files zip FLAC Mega Download  

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra  conducted by  Sir Thomas Beecham.

EMI World Records  SH 316 / SH 1002. 1979 LP's. 78 transfers by (?) / Anthony Griffith. Recorded: 10/11 July 1947 & 28/30 November 1947 - 4 January 1948 - 20 April 1948 - EMI Studio 1, Abbey Road.  Sleeve-note + EMG reviews >>>  

24/48: Sir Thomas Beecham / Columbia SO - Carmen -&- Capriccio Italien - CBS 1949

Peter Tchaikovsky: "Capriccio Italien", op.45

Georges Bizet: "Carmen" - suite
(Prelude ~ Entr'acte ~ Les Dragons d'Alcala ~ Prelude,Act 1 ~ Intermezzo ~ La Garde Montante ~ Danse Boheme)  

2 files zip 16/44 FLAC Mega Download          2 files zip 24/48 XR FLAC  Mega Download

Columbia Symphony Orchestra  conducted by  Sir Thomas Beecham

Columbia  33CX 1037  (ML4287)  c.1956 pressing/matrices: XLP2101/2 -3N.   Recorded: 22/21 December 1949 - CBS 30th St. Studio, New York.
Sleeve-note >>>  

Wilhelm Furtwangler / London Philharmonic - Brahms. Symphony 2 - Decca 1948

Johannes Brahms:  Symphony no.2 in D major, op.73

I: Allegro non troppo  ~  II: Adagio non troppo  ~  III: Allegretto grazioso (Quasi andantino)  ~  IV: Allegro con spirito

2 files zip FLAC  Mega Download

London Philharmonic Orchestra  conducted by  Wilhelm Furtwängler

Decca  ACL 50   (LXT2586 -1951 78 transfer)  1959 pressing/matrices: ARL156/7 -1DR. Recorded: 20,22,24,25 March 1948 - Kingsway Hall

1948 EMG review + labels + sleevenote >>>  (Lot of editing needed + Re-EQ. Crumbly sound in places...)  1952 VPO Brahms Sym 1 >>>

24/48: Felix Weingartner / Vienna Philharmonic - Beethoven. Symphony 8 -&- Symphony 9 - Columbia 1935/6

Ludwig van Beethoven:
Symphony no.8 in F major, op.93 
I: Allegro vivace e con brio  ~  II: Allegretto scherzando  ~  III: Tempo di menuetto  ~  IV: Allegro vivace
16/44 FLAC  Mega Download             24/48 XR FLAC  Mega Download
Symphony no.9 in D minor, op.125   "Choral"  
I: Allegro ma non troppo, un poco maestoso  ~  II: Molto vivace  ~  III: Adagio molto e cantabile  ~  IV: Presto - Allegro assai
Louise Helletsgruber, Soprano,   Rosette Anday, Contralto,   Georg Maikl, Tenor,   Richard Mayr, Bass 
4 files zip 16/44 FLAC  Mega Download             4 files zip 24/48 XR FLAC  Mega Download

Vienna State Opera Chorus  &  Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra  conducted by  Felix Weingartner    
French EMI  COLC 27-28. Original LP's (sounding better than the UK COLC: but these mint pressings needed much editing..).  Recorded: 25/26 February 1936 -&- 2-5 February 1935. 
Beethoven 9/mvt 3: '1.5' declick from 10:55 + a smidgeon of treble - mvt 4: amplified by 0.6dB from 13:00.   UK COLC Booklet enclosed with Beethoven 9.   EMG review >>>

Boris Khaikin / Leningrad Philharmonic - Glazounov. Symphony 8 - CCCP 1947

Alexander Glazounov:
Symphony no.8 in E flat major, op.83   
I: Allegro moderato  ~  II: Mesto  ~  III: Allegro  ~  IV: Finale - Moderato sostenuto - Allegro moderato 
Leningrad Philharmonic Orchestra  conducted by  Boris Khaikin  
2 files zip FLAC  Mega Download  
MK  D  01460/1  c.1965 pressing. c.1953 matrices: -2/1 ~ 1/1  Recorded: 1947 - Leningrad 
Tape-recorded: Technical quality overall is quite bad (really ghastly end of side 1 - side 2 is rather better...). Presumably there was no LP re-cut. 
NOT ON CD     Label (no sleeve-note) >>>  

Boris Khaikin / Kirov Theatre - Tchaikovsky. Maid of Orleans - CCCP 1946

Peter Tchaikovsky:  "The Maid of Orleans"  - Opera in 4 Acts

Joan of Arc............................. Sofia Preobrazenskaya  (Mezzo-Soprano)
King Charles VII....................... Vitaly Kilchevsky  (Tenor)
Agnes Sorel............................. Olga Kashevarova  (Soprano)
Dunois................................ V Runovsky  (Baritone)
Lionel................................ Lipa Solomiak  (Baritone)
Cardinal.............................. N Konstantinov  (Bass)
Thibaut............................. Ivan Petrovich Yashugin
Raymond........................... V Ulyanov
Bertrand........................... I Shashkov
Soldier............................. S Vodsinsky
Lore............................... A Marin
Angel............................... M Merzhevskaya
Minstrel.............................N Grishanov
Chorus and Orchestra of the Kirov Theatre  conducted by  Boris Khaikin  
FLAC  Mega Download   from: Myto 992.H028 (1999)  3CD: divisions @ 45.01 + 97.23  First 5mins rougher (otherwise Good!).  
BBC Radio 3  - 15 February 2007 - MiniDisc.  (originally  Melodiya  D 09311-18)   Recorded: 1946 - Leningrad.  

Erich Kleiber / London Philharmonic - Beethoven. Symphony 6 ... Mozart. Symphony 40 - Decca 1948/9

Ludwig van Beethoven:  Symphony no.6 in F major, op.68  "Pastoral"
I: Allegro ma non troppo  (Awakening of happy feelings on arriving in the country)  ~  II: Andante molto mosso  (By the brook)  ~
III: Allegro (Peasants' merrymaking)  ~  IV: Allegro  (The storm)  ~  V: Allegretto  (Shepherd's Hymn; Thanksgiving after the storm)

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart:  Symphony no.40 in G minor,  K.550
I: Allegro molto ~ II: Andante ~ III: Minuetto & Trio (Allegretto) ~ IV: Finale (Allegro assai)

2 files zip FLAC  Mega Download

London Philharmonic Orchestra  conducted by  Erich Kleiber

Decca  ACL 2  (LXT 2587)  1958 LP/matrices: ARL98/9 -1D.   Recorded: 24/25 February (+17 May) 1948 - Kingsway Hall
Decca  ACL 66  (LX 3022)  1959 matrix: ARL4525 -1A.   Recorded: 25 April 1949 - Kingsway Hall 
Presumably 78 transfers from c.1950 (Decca's PU certainly used for ACL2): the Mozart sounds cleaner - this ACL66 matrix also used for ECM518 (1969). Much editing required (bad joins, clicks, etc) ...thus superior to CD issue... ACL sleeves / sleeve-notes >>>

The ACL 66 van Beinum/Mozart Symphony 35 is on the main blog @ Beinum-LPO Decca's

24/48: Edward Elgar / LSO - Elgar. Symphony 1 & Symphony 2 - HMV 1927/1930

Edward Elgar:  "The Kingdom", op.51 - Prelude   (1933)
BBC Symphony Orchestra  conducted by  Sir Edward Elgar 

Edward Elgar:  Symphony no.1 in E flat major, op.55   (1930)
I: Andante (Nobilmente e semplice) - Allegro ~ II: Allegro molto ~ III: Adagio ~ IV: Lento - Allegro
3 files 16/44 zip FLAC  Mega Download           3 files 24/48 zip XR FLAC  Mega Download

Edward Elgar:  Symphony no.2 in E flat major, op.63   (1927)
I: Allegro vivace e nobilemente ~ II: Larghetto ~ III: Rondo (Presto) ~ IV: Moderato e maestoso
+ Rehearsal sequence
3 files 16/44 zip FLAC  Mega Download           3 files 24/48 zip XR FLAC  Mega Download
London Symphony Orchestra  conducted by  Sir Edward Elgar 
HMV  RLS 708  ("Images of Elgar": my 1973 set)  Matrices: W9251/2 -1, W9397/8 -2G/1G 
Sym.1/Kingdom have good sound/'quiet' 78 matrices (+ I've the original 78's). Anthony Griffith transfers. Lotsa editing needed...
Sym.2 rehearsal: re-EQ'd & '6' de-clicked.   RLS recording data / "Elgar on Record" pages / EMG reviews (WRC, 1971) >>>

Fritz Busch / Glyndebourne - Mozart. Don Giovanni - HMV 1937

W.A.Mozart:  "Don Giovanni"  - Dramma Giocoso in 2 Acts
Don Giovanni................................. John Brownlee  - Bass   
Donna Anna.................................. Ina Souez  - Soprano
Donna Elvira.................................. Luise Helletsgruber  - Mezzo-Soprano
Don Ottavio.................................. Koloman von Pataky  (Kalman Pataky)  - Tenor
Il Commendatore.................................. David Franklin  - Bass
Leoporello.................................. Salvatore Baccaloni  - Bass
Zerlina.................................. Audrey Mildmay  - Soprano
Masetto.................................. Roy Henderson  - Bass
Glyndebourne Festival Chorus -&- Glyndebourne Festival Orchestra  conducted by  Fritz Busch 
6 files zip FLAC  Mega Download   
EMI Pathe-Marconi  2C 151 13057-9    Previously unplayed 1981 set   (78's: HMV DB 2961-2983)    Recorded: 29 June - 5 July 1936 - Glyndebourne.   
Possibly the 1954 78 dub (HMV ALP 1199-1201).  Excellent quality/superb performance.    Album notes >>> 

Serge Koussevitzky / Boston S.O. - Brahms. Symphony 3 .. Tchaikovsky. Romeo & Juliet .. R.Strauss. Don Juan .. Hanson. Serenade - RCA Victor 1936/1945-7

Peter Tchaikovsky:  "Romeo & Juliet" - Fantasy Overture     (28 Dec.1936)
Johannes Brahms:  Symphony no.3 in F major, op.90     (2 Jan.1945)  
I: Allegro con brio  ~  II: Andante  ~  III:  Poco Allegretto  ~  IV: Allegro
Richard Strauss:  "Don Juan", op.20     (29 Oct.1947)  
Howard Hanson:  Serenade, op.35      Georges Laurent, flute, Bernard Zinghera, harp     (25 Nov.1947)  
4 files zip FLAC  Mega Download
Boston Symphony Orchestra  conducted by  Serge Koussevitzky 
RCA  LVM2 7510  (2LP 1974)  UK pressings/matrices: A-2E/B-3E/C-3E   Prokofiev/Shostakovich 1945-7   Sleeve-note / EMG review >>> 

Lambert. Rio Grande - Francaix. Piano Concerto - Hahn. Piano Concerto 1 - Milhaud. Scaramouche - 1930/1937-8

Constant Lambert:  "The Rio Grande"      (11 Jan.1930)       FLAC  Mega Download
Sir Hamilton Harty, piano  - The Hallé Orchestra  conducted by  Constant Lambert
Jean Francaix:  Piano Concerto in D major      (Dec.1937)   
I: Allegro  ~  II: Andante  ~  III: Scherzo  ~  IV: Finale
Jean Francaix, piano  - Paris Philharmonic Orchestra  conducted by  Nadia Boulanger
Reynaldo Hahn:  Piano Concerto no.1 in E minor      (10/11 May 1937)   
I: Improvisation  ~  II: Danse  ~  III: Reverie, Toccata & Fugue
Magda Tagliaferro, piano  - Orchestra  conducted by  Reynaldo Hahn
Darius Milhaud:  "Scaramouche"   -Vif ~ Modere ~ Braziliera      (Dec.1938)   
Marcelle Meyer, Darius Milhaud, pianos                  3 files zip FLAC  Mega Download
EMI World Records  SH 227   1975 LP/matrices: 2XEA5247/8 -1 / -2.  Transfers by Anthony Griffith. This "Rio Grande" transfer in  LAMBERT conducts  (a less-good 1988 dubbing).    
Sleeve-note >>>  

Leon Goossens plays... Concertos by: J.S.Bach - Richard Strauss - Vaughan Williams - EMI 1947-1952

Richard Strauss:  Concerto for Oboe and Orchestra
I: Allegro moderato  ~  II: Andante  ~  III: Vivace 
Ralph Vaughan Williams:  Concerto for Oboe and Strings   
I: Rondo Pastorale -Allegro moderato  ~  II: Minuet & Musette -Allegro moderato  ~  III: Finale (Scherzo) -Presto
Johann Sebastian Bach - arr Tovey:  Oboe d'amore Concerto in A major   (continuo: Thornton Lofthouse)   
I: Allegro  ~  II: Larghetto  ~  III: Allegro ma non troppo
3 files zip FLAC  Mega Download   
Léon Goossens, oboe / oboe d'amore  - Philharmonia Orchestra  conducted by  Alceo Galliera  and  Walter Susskind   
EMI World Records  SH 243  1978 LP.  Matrices: W9881 -2  /  W9882 -2.  Recorded: 1947, 1952, 1949+1952. 
The tape-recordings are rather 'fuzzy'n'seedy'..  Sleeve-note / EMG reviews >>>  

Sir Edward Elgar conducts.... Elgar. Violin Concerto (Yehudi Menuhin) - HMV 1932

Sir Edward Elgar:  Concerto for Violin & Orchestra in B minor, op.61
I: Allegro ~ II: Andante ~ III: Allegro molto - Cadenza - Allegro molto  
2 files zip FLAC  Mega Download
Yehudi Menuhin, violin - London Symphony Orchestra  conducted by  Sir Edward Elgar  
HMV  ALP 1456  First Edition 1957 LP. Matrices: 2XEA1037 -1N / 2XEA1038 -2N.  Recorded: 14/15 July 1932 - EMI Studio 1, Abbey Road.  
Some treble EQ added to the Concerto.     
ALP 1456 sleeve-note / EMG review / recording data / Original 78 album & analytical notes by Walter Legge >>>   

Peter Pears sings... Britten. Serenade -&- Vaughan Williams. On Wenlock Edge - Decca 1944/1945

Benjamin Britten:  Serenade, op.31 - for Tenor, Horn & Strings
Peter Pears, Tenor - Dennis Brain, horn  - Boyd Neel String Orchestra  conducted by  Benjamin Britten    

Ralph Vaughan Williams:  "On Wenlock Edge"
Peter Pears, Tenor - Benjamin Britten, piano - Zorian String Quartet   
2 files zip FLAC  Mega Download
Decca  ECM 814   1982 Phonogram UK pressing. Matrices: ARL14309 -2G / ARL14308 -1A  (slightly superior to the 1979 '1A' LP - & superior to the 1986 LP: 417 183-1).   Recorded: 25 May/8 October 1944 -&- 2/3 July 1945 - West Hampstead Studios.  Very considerable waveform repair.....      
Sleeve-note / song texts / the original 1945 "Serenade" 78's >>>         Pears/Britten - HMV 1942-1950 >>>

Eva Turner sings... Verdi, Ponchielli, Mascagni, Puccini, & Songs - Columbia 1926-1933

Verdi:  "Aida", Act 2, sc.2 - Ritorna vincitor!    /    Act 3 - Qui Radamis verra! ... O Patria Mia
Verdi:  "Il Trovatore", Act 4 - D'amor sull'ali rosee
Mascagni:  "Cavalleria Rusticana" - Voi lo sapete
Puccini:  "La Tosca", Act 2 - Vissi d'arte
Puccini:  "Turandot", Act 2, sc.2 - In questa reggia
Verdi:  "Aida" Act 2 - Gloria all'Egitto 
Ponchielli:  "La Gioconda", Act 3 - Gia ti veggio    /   Act 4 - Suicidio!
Grieg:  I love thee    /     Tosti:  Goodbye    /    Landon Ronald:  O lovely night
Puccini:  "Madama Butterfly", Act 2 - One fine day 
Eva Turner, Soprano  - Orchestra  conducted by  Stanford Robinson / Sir Thomas Beecham 
Soloists, Chorus & Orchestra of La Scala Milan, Orchestra, piano
12 files zip FLAC  Mega Download
Columbia  COLC 114  (original 1960 LP)  /  HMV  HQM 1209  (1970)  /  HMV  HLM 7033  (1973) 
COLC114 is superior to the same (6) 1958 French transfers in HQM1209: added slight treble EQ to the latter.    
File folder includes COLC114 booklet.  HQM cover / sleeve-notes / libretti / EMG reviews / data >>>

Sir Thomas Beecham conducts... Handel. Messiah (highlights) - Columbia 1927

G.F.Handel:  "Messiah" - 1 hour highlights.
Part One:  Comfort ye ... Ev'ry valley   /   Thus saith the Lord ... But who may abide   /   For unto us a Child is born   /   Then shall the eyes ... He shall feed His flock.
Part Two:  He was despised   /   The rebuke ... Behold and see ... He was cut off ... But thou didst not leave   /   How beautiful are the feet   /   Why do the nations ... Let us break their bonds   /   Hallelujah Chorus
Part Three:  I know that my Redeemer liveth   /   Behold! ... The trumpet shall sound
Dora Labette, Muriel Brunskill, Hubert Eisdell, Harold Williams - BBC Chorus & Symphony Orchestra  conducted by  Sir Thomas Beecham 
Part One: Then shall the eyes ... He shall feed His flock  
Clara Butt  with  Orchestra  conducted by  Sir Landon Ronald    (03176, matrix 4084f. Recorded 1910)  - wonderful!
4 files zip FLAC   Mega Download          
HMV  HLM 7053  (1977)  +  HLM 7145  Transfers by Bryan Crimp   Sleeve-note / EMG review >>>

Arturo Toscanini / BBC Symphony Orchestra - Elgar. Enigma Variations / Debussy. La Mer - HMV 1935

Sir Edward Elgar:  Variations on an original theme, op.36   ("Enigma")

Claude Debussy:   "La Mer"

2 files zip FLAC    Mega Download

BBC Symphony Orchestra  conducted by  Arturo Toscanini

HMV  EH 29 1345  1987 DMM   Recorded: Queen's Hall - 3/12 June 1935.  Transfers by Keith Hardwick.  Numerous small defects 'edited-away'...
One of my last un-transferred EMI Orchestral 'Historical' single LP's  - others in that series are @ held-to-ransom 'Buy It Now' prices on eBay - and I won't purchase more simply for these, currently free, Blogs (and waveform-editing this took nearly 3 HOURS  - from a flawless pressing).   
Previously this had sounded over-garish (Digital?) - but have used an 'as new' 1977 ADC XLM Mk.II cartridge - with excellent (IMO) results.       
Sleeve-note / ADC review >>>

Efrem Kurtz / New York Philharmonic - Shostakovich. Symphony 9 - CBS 1947

Dmitri Shostakovich: 
Symphony no.9, op.70   
I: Allegro  ~  II: Moderato  ~  III: Presto  ~  IV: Largo  ~  V: Allegretto - Allegro
FLAC Mega Download           
Philharmonic-Symphony Orchestra of New York  conducted by  Efrem Kurtz  
Philips  ABL 3117  1956 UK LP/Dutch matrix: AA01248 1L=1    Recorded: 8 April 1947
Far more detailed/dynamic - with a much greater frequency-range (<19kHz) than another recent 'smoothed' CBS LP dub on 'Symphonyshare'..... 
Koussevitzky-Boston 1946/7 recording >>>         Sleeve-note / EMG review >>> 

Feodor Chaliapin - 50th Anniversary Album - 64 sides - Gramophone/HMV 1902-1936

Glinka:  "A Life for the Tsar" / "Ruslan & Ludmilla"   Side One/Bands 1-2-4    Side One/Band 3
Dargomijsky:  "Rusalka"   Side One/Bands 5-6    Rubinstein:  "The Demon"  Side One/Bands 7-8  
Mussorgsky:  "Boris Gudonov"  Side Two/Band 1    Side Two/Bands 2-5    Side Two/Bands 3-4     Side Three/Band 1
Borodin:  "Prince Igor"   Side Three/Bands 2-3-4    Rimsky-Korsakov:  "Sadko"  Side Three/Band 5
10 files zip FLAC  Mega Download

Rossini / Bellini    Side Four/Bands 1-2-3     Meyerbeer / Donizetti / Verdi    Side Four/Bands 4-5-6    
Verdi / Boito    Side Four/Bands 7-8
Gounod / Delibes    Side Five/Bands 1-2-4-5     Gounod / Flegier / Massenet    Side Five/Bands 3-6-7    
Marseillaise / Glazunov    Side Five/Band 8 + Side Seven/Band 3
Beethoven / Mussorgsky    Side Six/Bands 1-6     Schubert / Koenemann / Sokolov    Side Six/Band 2 + Side Seven/Bands 4-5
Tchaikovsky / Glinka    Side Six/Band 3 + Side Seven/Band 1-2      Glinka / Rubinstein    Side Six/Bands 4-8    
Mussorgsky / Rubinstein / Stenka Razin    Side Six/Bands 5-7 + Side Seven/Band 9
Unaccompanied Folksongs    Side Seven/Bands 6-8 + Side Eight/Band 1    Brigands / Red Sun / Nevstruev    Side Seven/Band 7 + Side Eight/Bands 2-3     Wedel / Strokin / Gretchaninov / Archangelsky    Side Eight/Bands 5-6-7-8
Telephone Sketch    Side Eight/Band 9
15 files zip FLAC  Mega Download  
HMV  EX 7 61065 1  (1988: 4LP's DMM - bought 1989)   Transfers by Keith Hardwick  (much editing required......)     Full details are in the album notes, below >>>

Victor de Sabata / London Philharmonic - Beethoven. Symphony 3 / Berlioz / Sibelius / Wagner - Decca 1946

Ludwig van Beethoven:  Symphony no.3 in E flat major, op.55  "Eroica"
I: Allegro con brio ~ II: Marcia Funebre, adagio assai ~ III: Scherzo -Allegro vivace ~ IV: Allegro molto  
3 files zip FLAC  Mega Download
Hector Berlioz:  "Le Carnaval Romain" - overture   
Jean Sibelius:  "En Saga", op.9    /    "Kuolema", op.44 - Valse Triste 
3 files zip FLAC  Mega Download
Richard Wagner:  "Die Walkure" - Ride of the Valkyries 
FLAC   Mega Download
London Philharmonic Orchestra  conducted by  Victor de Sabata    
Decca  6BB 236/7   Issued 1976   Recorded: 2+3/30/23+24/30 May 1946 - Walthamstow Town Hall  
A plethora of retained surface clicks necessitated very light de-click (@1.3) except for the better transferred/livelier Wagner.  These are not really to 'EMI standard', nor Decca's 1950's dubbings of Beethoven 5/6 (Schuricht/Kleiber) due to rather heavy filtering; so a slight treble increase didn't improve matters too much...      EMG reviews, 1947/8 >>>

Yehudi Menuhin plays... J.S.Bach, Mozart, Wieniawski, Paganini, Chausson, Mendelssohn, Bruch - HMV 1931-1938

J.S.Bach: Violin Concerto no.1 in A minor, BWV.1041      I: Allegro (non tanto) ~ II: Andante ~ III: Allegro assai    
J.S.Bach: Double Concerto, BWV.1043   (with Georges Enescu, violin) **      I: Vivace ~ II: Largo ma non tanto ~ III: Allegro   
W.A.Mozart: Violin Concerto no.3 in G major, K.216     I: Allegro ~ II: Adagio ~ III: Rondo (Allegro)   Cadenzas: Franko   
Paris Symphony Orchestra  conducted by  Georges Enescu  &  Pierre Monteux **  
3 files zip FLAC  Mega Download

Wieniawski: Legende, op.17      Colonne Concerts Orchestra  conducted by  Georges Enescu
Paganini: Violin concerto no.1 in D major, op.6      I: Allegro maestoso  (Cadenza: Saueret) ~ II: Adagio espressivo - Rondo (Allegro spiritoso)    
Chausson: Poeme, op.25 **      Paris Symphony Orchestra  conducted by  Pierre Monteux  &  Georges Enescu ** 
3 files zip FLAC  Mega Download

Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto in E minor, op.84    I: Allegro molto appasionato ~ II: Andante ~ III: Allegretto non troppo - Allegro molto vivace    Colonne Concerts Orchestra  conducted by  Georges Enescu
Bruch: Violin Concerto no.1 in G minor, op.26    I: Allegro moderato ~ II: Adagio ~ III: Finale (Allegro energico)    London Symphony Orchestra  conducted by  Sir Landon Ronald  
2 files zip FLAC  Mega Download
HMV  RLS 718  (3LP set: 1976)   Transfers by Anthony Griffith    (mucho editing by me...yet again)    Recording data / notes >>>

Busch Quartet play... Brahms. Piano Quartet op.26 -&- Piano Quintet op.34 (Rudolf Serkin), Clarinet Quintet (Reginald Kell), Horn Trio (Aubrey Brain), String Quartet op.51/1 - HMV 1932-1938

Johannes Brahms:

Piano Quartet in A major, op.26   (edited from the LH groove-wall, only)  
I: Allegro non troppo ~ II: Poco adagio ~ III: Scherzo (Poco Allegro) ~ IV: Finale: Allegro
FLAC  Mega Download
Piano Quintet in F minor, op.34    
I: Allegro non troppo ~ II: Andante, un poco adagio ~ III: Scherzo (Allegro) ~ IV: Finale: Poco sostenuto - Allegro non troppo
FLAC  Mega Download
Horn Trio in E flat major, op.40   
I: Andante ~ II: Allegro ~ III: Adagio mesto ~ IV: Finale: Allegro con brio
FLAC  Mega Download 
String Quartet in C minor, op.51/1     
I: Allegro ~ II: Romanze: Poco adagio ~ III: Allegretto molto moderato e comodo ~ IV: Allegro
FLAC  Mega Download
Clarinet Quintet in B minor, op.115   
I: Allegro ~ II: Adagio ~ III: Andantino - Presto non assai, ma con sentimento ~ IV: Con moto
FLAC  Mega Download                                           Busch/Serkin - Brahms Violin Sonatas 1 & 2 (sides 13+14) >>>
Rudolf Serkin, piano - Aubrey Brain, horn - Reginald Kell, clarinet  - The Busch Quartet  (Adolf Busch, Gosta Andreasson, Karl Doktor, Hermann Busch)  
EMI World Records  SHB 61 (sides 2-10).  78 Transfers by Keith Hardwick.  SHB 61 notes + recording data / HMV 78 albums: op.26 & op.51/1 analytical notes >>> 

Busch Quartet play... Brahms. String Quartet op.67, Piano Quartet op.25 (Rudolf Serkin) - Columbia 1949

Johannes Brahms:
Piano Quartet in G minor, op.25   
I: Allegro ~ II: Andante ~ III: Agitato (Allegretto non troppo) ~ IV: Poco Allegretto con Variazioni
FLAC  Mega Download

String Quartet in B flat major, op.67
I: Allegro ~ II: Intermezzo (Allegro ma non troppo) ~ III: Andante con moto - Animato ~ IV: Rondo alla zingarese (Presto)
FLAC  Mega Download

Rudolf Serkin, piano  - The Busch Quartet (Adolf Busch, Bruno Straumann, Hugo Gottesmann, Hermann Busch)
EMI World Records  SHB 61  (1980: 7LP - sides 1/2/11/12)   Transfers by Keith Hardwick.  Recording data in above post.   EMG reviews >>>  

Busch Quartet play... Schubert, String Quartets D.112, D.810, D.887 & Piano Trio D.929 (Rudolf Serkin) - HMV 1935-1938

Franz Schubert:
String Quartet in B flat major, D.112     
I: Allegro non troppo ~ II: Andante sostenuto ~ III: Menuetto (Allegretto) ~ IV: Presto
FLAC  Mega Download
String Quartet in D minor, D.810  "Death and the Maiden"   
I: Allegro ~ II: Andante con moto ~ III: Scherzo (Allegro molto) & Trio ~ IV: Presto
FLAC  Mega Download
String Quartet in G major, D.887   
I: Allegro molto moderato ~ II: Andante un poco moto ~ III: Scherzo (Allegro vivace) & Trio (Allegretto) ~ IV: Allegro assai
FLAC  Mega Download
Piano Trio in E flat major, D.929   
I: Allegro ~ II: Andante con moto ~ III: Scherzo (Allegro molto) & Trio ~ IV: Allegro moderato
FLAC  Mega Download     
Rudolf Serkin, piano   -  The Busch Quartet    (Adolf Busch,  Gosta Andreasson,  Karl Doktor,  Hermann Busch)            
Busch/Serkin - Schubert "Fantasia" D.934 >>>     The Busch Quartet - Beethoven. The Late String Quartets, etc >>>
EMI World Records  SHB 53 (3LP set: 1978)  Transfers by Anthony Griffith . Rec: 25 Nov.1938 / 16 Oct.1936 / 22+30 Nov.1938 / 23 Oct.1935.  Box cover/notes & recording data >>> 

Sir Thomas Beecham / RPO - Delius. Piano Concerto ~ Violin Concerto ~ Songs of Sunset ~ Song of the High Hills ~ Brigg Fair, etc - HMV 1946

Frederick Delius:
Violin Concerto     (Jean Pougnet, violin)  
Piano Concerto     (Betty Humby-Beecham, piano)  
2 files zip FLAC  Mega Download

Songs of Sunset     (Nancy Evans, Mezzo-Soprano  ~  Redvers Llewellyn, Baritone  ~  BBC Chorus)
Song of the High Hills    (Freda Hart, Soprano  ~  Leslie Jones, Tenor  ~  Luton Choral Society)
2 files zip FLAC  Mega Download

Paa Vidderne  (On the Mountains)   orch: Robert Sandheimer     /      Dance Rhapsody, no.2
Marche Caprice     /     "Brigg Fair" - An English Rhapsody     /      "Irmelin" - Prelude.  orch: Beecham
5 files zip FLAC  Mega Download
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra  conducted by  Sir Thomas Beecham  
EMI World Records  SHB 54  (1979: 6LP set; previously unplayed)  78 transfers by Anthony Griffith  
EMI Studio 1: 31 Oct+1 Nov..4+16 Dec.1946 / 30 Nov..22 Nov.1946 / 26 Nov..3 Oct..19 Dec..26 Nov..21 Dec.1946
Brigg Fair/Marche Caprice are noisy shellac. Minimally edited those; & trying De-Click killed the clarity (Surprise!)...  
Different turntable set-up used.    Sammons - Moiseiwitsch versions of the Concerto's are below..    Richard Warren's 1979 ARSC review       SHB54 Text / Discography >>>