04 March 2024

Puccini. La Boheme - Gigli, Albanese, La Scala / Berrettoni - HMV 1938

Giacomo Puccini: "La Boheme"

Rodolpho
................. Beniamino Gigli  (Tenor)
Marcello
................. Afro Poli   (Baritone)
Schaunard
................. Aristide Baracchi   (Baritone)
Colline
................. Duilio Baronti   (Bass)
Mim
i................. Licia Albanese   (Soprano)
Musetta
................. Tatiana Menotti   (Soprano)
Benoit / Alcindoro
.............. Carlo Scattola   (Bass)
Parpignol
................. Nello Palai   (Tenor)

Chorus & Orchestra of Teatro alla Scala, Milan  conducted by  Umberto Berrettoni             4 files 16/44 zip FLAC  MediaFire Download

EMI Music for Pleasure  MFP 2076/7. 1967 LP's/matrices: 2XBA117-120 -1 (QALP 10777/78 -1955 HMV Italiana transfer) from HMV DB3448-3460. Recorded: February (March) 1938.   

MFP 2076 cover / Sleeve-notes / Labels >>>

15 November 2023

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 >>>

31 October 2023

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 

5 files 16/44 zip FLAC  Mega Download              5 files 24/48 zip XR FLAC  Mega Download

NBC Symphony Orchestra  conducted by  Arturo Toscanini

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

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

29 August 2023

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) 

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

NBC Symphony Orchestra  conducted by  Arturo Toscanini

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

19 November 2022

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 >>>

12 August 2022

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           

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 >>> 

04 October 2021

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 
3 files 16/44 zip FLAC  Mega Download           3 files 24/48 zip XR FLAC Mega Download

Sir Edward Elgar: "Falstaff" - Symphonic Study in C minor, op.68

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

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..........

07 April 2021

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         

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 >>>

22 March 2021

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

Richard Strauss:  "Ein Heldenleben", op.40

16/44 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 >>>

04 September 2020

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      

"The Crown of Indiasuite  (LSO -1930)
"In the Southoverture  (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       

"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 >>>  

02 August 2020

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 >>>  

07 June 2020

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 >>>  

14 November 2019

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 >>>

31 August 2018

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           
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            

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 >>>

19 January 2018

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) >>>  

12 January 2018

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.  

25 October 2017

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)  ~  IIAndante molto mosso  (By the brook)  ~
IIIAllegro (Peasants' merrymaking)  ~  IVAllegro  (The storm)  ~  VAllegretto  (Shepherd's Hymn; Thanksgiving after the storm)

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart:  Symphony no.40 in G minor,  K.550
I: Allegro molto ~ IIAndante ~ IIIMinuetto & Trio (Allegretto) ~ IVFinale (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

17 September 2017

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  

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          
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) >>>

01 December 2016

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 >>> 

12 November 2016

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 >>> 

02 November 2016

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 HahnPiano 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 >>>  

23 July 2016

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 >>>  

22 January 2016

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 >>>   

17 January 2016

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 >>>

23 December 2015

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 >>>

18 December 2015

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 >>>

31 October 2015

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 >>>

18 September 2015

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 >>> 

10 September 2015

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 >>>

17 May 2015

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...   (According to a John Culshaw article in "High Fidelity" metal matrices were unusable so a 'mint set of 78's' from the BBC Gramophone Library was utilised)  EMG reviews, 1947/8 >>>

18 April 2015

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 >>>

02 April 2015

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 >>> 

29 March 2015

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 >>>  

20 March 2015

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 >>>