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Classical Recordings from the Golden Age

Hello All,After having accidentally damaged Quad 2905 panels in both speakers, I’ve been sending speaker after speaker out for panel replacements. So currently, I am right back in mono mode while having a speaker sent out for said repair. The logical choice in a situation like this would be, to strictly play mono recordings. My CD collection is for the most part made up of stereo recordings however, I should add that many of my favorite CD’s are mono remasters from the golden age on labels like Andate, Orfeo d’Or, Music and Arts of America, Testament and Pearl, Great Pianists of the 20th Century, etc.... And, those that especially stand out as favorites are live recordings, i.e.the Salzburg Festival.One major priority when CD shopping is to look for well done remasters from the original sources. The Andante label was far and above a stand out when it came to digital remastering and I so wish they were still in business. However, Orfeo d’Or is a black belt label and now my primary go to for historical recordings. I should note that the Clara Haskil Salzburg Festival recording is remarkable as is the Irmgard Seefried Recordings 1944-67 box set. The Gerard Souzay disc on Testament is a treasure.I could go on listing my favorites but I’m wondering if others also collect mono remasters and if so, what are your recommendations?
goofyfoot
roxy1927
124 posts
 
Yes Tahra is gone but sometimes their recordings can still be found on Amazon.
Music and Arts another excellent historical label I think is still in business. They have a great Furtwangler Brahms cycle.
BMG has a Toscanini Philadelphia set which many think in terms of sound has been greatly improved and better sound than his NBC recordings.
Any classical enthusiast must get the Mitropoulos Mahler 1st on Masterworks Heritage.

For vocal works despite the compromised sound the Callas/DiStefano  '51 Tosca from Mexico City is beyond belief it is so harrowing.
Pearl despite the noise has wonderful Schipa, Pinza, Leider, Tenors From the Bolshoi and so many others.
Ferrier has the great box set on Decca and there is the early mono Schwarzkopf box set on Warners.
One cannot do without Toscanini's Falstaff and Otello. Karajan's Cosi, the Sawallisch Capriccio.

Lipatti, Neveu, Kapell, Rabin, Cantelli...the list goes on.
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,411 posts
 
Wasn't aware of the RCO anthologies. Looks good.

They go way back...
 https://www.allmusic.com/album/anthology-of-the-royal-concertgebouw-orchestra-vol-1-1935-1950-mw0001...

goofyfoot OP
1,354 posts
 
Elizabeth, do you know if the Pearl label has closed shop? They are no longer listed on the arkivmusic website and I can't find a home website for them. Yes, EMI, DG, Phillips, etc..., all of the larger labels have reissued a vast catalogue of historical recordings however I don't believe all of their previous releases come from the original source. I know that Music and Arts will reveal that part of a particular recording did not derive from the original source tapes where and when it applies. And Orfeo has proudly stated that the source tapes for a particular recording were pristine and of the chest quality.

However, as remaster reissues are becoming good for business, some larger labels are beginning to invest in them by using original sources and by hiring the best people for remixing and remastering. In the DECCA Sound; The Mono Years description it states,  'and for the most part transferred from the best possible sources. ' So, this follows good logic in that if a label goes through the trouble of sourcing and remastering at the highest level, they'll make claim to it.
goofyfoot OP
1,354 posts
 
lowrider, I've seen the entire RCO anthology collection for as low as $350.00-ish. The prices may continue to fall, which is what I'm waiting for. That Volume 1 that you cite is pretty hard to find by itself. I also believe that Mengelberg is the director throughout volume 1, where as van Beinum is direct throughout volume 2.
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,411 posts
 
I really like the lineup of Volume 2 but I'll wait for a better price...$40 for a worn Good Will copy, no thanks. 
It's good to see many performances being released on orchestra record labels. The few I've heard are good quality.

I think I'll go for the Toscanini Philadelphia on BMG. I could never listen to the NBC studio sound for very long.

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