Classical Recordings from the Golden Age
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... |
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. |
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. |
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. |
lowrider, I'm not sure if the RCO anthologies are still in print. However, prices regarding arcane classical titles always seem to plunge over time. I only have Toscanini on vinyl, the complete Beethoven and Brahms box sets with the NBC. My thought is that the NBC is extremely idiosyncratic and can become tiresome though the quality of playing is obviously high. I've always had the same opinion of Emanuel Ax. Last time we chatted on this subject, we were discussing the early van Karajan Beethoven recordings on DG and found that there was a Japanese reissue of the 7th.The possibility of amazing sounding Japanese reissues keeps me intrigued also. |
