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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?
128x128goofyfoot
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,418 posts
 
I have the 1963 BPO remastered... Fantastisch !!  Sound quality is far superior to the original issue.
https://www.amazon.com/Beethoven-Symphonies-Gundula-Janowitz/dp/B0000C03AH/ref=sr_1_18?s=music&i...

The 1950's mono cycle (remastered)
https://www.amazon.com/Beethoven-Symphonies-KARAJAN-PHILHARMONIA-ORCH/dp/B000ZBPQF8

The samples from the mono album sound very good. I like this early interpretation very much.
I checked some timings, this earlier cycle is slightly slower. It's interesting that the timings of the 5th are virtually identical.

goofyfoot's avatar
goofyfoot OP
1,385 posts
 

Thanks lowrider, I didn't realize the earlier recordings were on EMI.
In my mind, von Karajan stands out as a Beethoven conductor but his Brahms interpretations are also super fantastic but Brahms is close to my heart. These are recommended on the Arkiv page;

http://www.arkivmusic.com/classical/albumList.jsp?name_id1=1441&name_role1=1&name_id2=56047&...
schubert
7,386 posts
 
One of the the worst things in recording history is the CBS ear bleed
given to Szell and his fantastic Clevelanders !


goofyfoot , sometimes I think Brahms is my heart .Believe this it or not , I have a Nonesuch Album cover of his Viola Sonatas with Michael Tree and Richard Goode dead center on the wall between my speakers , Said cover has a semi-psychodelic purpleish picture of Brahms at his best, beard and all .In the last few years I have had 5 ladies look at it and say " how did you get that painting of yourself ?"

I thought they were nuts till I held it up against my my face in the bathroom mirror and in about 30 seconds it dawned on me that his picture looked just like me I kid you not . !
goofyfoot's avatar
goofyfoot OP
1,385 posts
 
schubert, you’re looks are dead on Brahms’. I don’t know if that’s a good thing or not. Hopefully your home doesn’t look like the one Brahms was born in.
CBS is Sony, if I’m not mistaken. The Sony, Szell/Cleveland/Fleischer/Brahms is typically the gold standard for Brahms piano concertos and the remastering is beautifully done.
schubert
7,386 posts
 
True, BUT it could have been vinyl !
Brahms was a good-looking about 50 on the Nonesuch .
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