2. analog
  3. 165914-151049

need new classical vinyl/LP

I am looking for a recommendation for new pressing of classical music (preferably chamber or orchestral) that represents what vinyl has to offer for this type of music. It must be a 33rpm LP that I can buy new today, shrink-wrapped from Amazon, Acoustic Sounds, or similar. I am not dedicated to vinyl, and I do not want to go treasure hunting for used historical pressings.
     Just recently, I received my newly-restored Beogram 4002 from Soundsmith who did an excellent job. It is like new, including the dust cover. I had the turntable, of which I am the original owner, restored so I can listen to a few existing LP's of sentimental value. But some associates extol the benefits of vinyl that I have not been able to perceive in any of my existing LP's. So, I am curious about current pressings of classical, because my few existing ones, although in excellent condition, do not make a very convincing case for themselves. The service report indicates that Peter Lindermann himself evaluated the cartridge and stylus and projected 500 more hours of use. (He must have done this not long before he was taken ill). So, I don't want to gunk up my pristine stylus with the detritus from a used recording.So, recommendations are welcome.
128x128mcdonalk
bkeske's avatar
bkeske
5,597 posts
 
Presto Classical is one who has a decent collection. UK based, so shipping isn’t the least expensive you can find, depending where you are.
noromance's avatar
noromance
9,938 posts
 
Ha, Brian. I was just about to tag you on this!
bkeske's avatar
bkeske
5,597 posts
 
😁👍🏼
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
9,949 posts
 
Analogue Productions bought the Classic Recordings label catalog, originally available on LP in the 1990's and early-mid 2000's. That catalog includes a huge number of the legendary "golden age" RCA recordings, pressed on superior vinyl by AP at their state-of-the-art facility in Salina, Kansas. Available through AP's Acoustic Sounds mail order branch for around $35 per LP.

German company Speakers Corner is pressing new LP's made from original master tapes of many excellent Columbia Records' 1950's-60's recordings, featuring world class conductors, orchestras, and individual musicians. I have a handful, including the astounding recording of Janos Starker performing J.S. Bach's Suites For Unaccompanied Cello. It is a 4-LP boxset, retailing for just under $100. Analogue Productions offers the same recording, but pressed on 8-LP's (the AP discs play at 45RPM, the SP at 33-1/3), and priced at just under $200. Though 45RPM is reputed to sound a hair better than 33-1/3, I don't like the music chopped up into such small bites ;-) . SP's single LP's retail the same as do AP's, around $35. 

If you can find them, the LP's offered by Harmonia Mundi (both U.S.A. and French branches) are fantastic. I bought them at the time of their original 1990's-2000's releases, and can't tell you where to look for them now. HM's catalog veered toward Early and Baroque periods (though not exclusively), and their artist roster included the cream of "period" performance practitioners. My favorite modern Classical label.
 
noromance's avatar
noromance
9,938 posts
 
Just go to Acoustic Sounds and buy a bunch of Nonsuch NM used for $10 a pop!
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