Mercury Living Presence

Sabai, which recording are you referring to--the Harmonia Mundi on Linn ReKut? I'm not sure if they're still available.

Box set arrived. Have not opened yet.

My first real exposure to the MLP recordings where they caught my ear was back in mid 90's with the CD recordings of Leroy Anderson and another of Circus music using the 35mm film technology that I got from the local public library. I've been hooked since.

I think at least the Circus music CD is in this set.

I'm hoping for the Leroy Anderson as well. LA wrote some of the catchiest, most accessible and recognizable pop/classical music ever that many do not know about, but not sure if that one is in there.

If the box set comes anywhere near living up to my expectations, this could be the place I would recommend a newcomer in this hobby with any interest in classical music start out.

Rcprince,
I'm on the road now. My recollection is that it was the Harmonia Mundi.

i own at least 20 mlp cds.

i would say, that i could name several labels which offer "better", i.e., more natural sound.

here is a list of some labels to consider.

alpha, naive, mirare, accent, astree,glossa, alia vox, harmonia mundi, and telarc.

the point is, the mercury cds are ok, but not of the caliber of many other labels.

MLP and Telarc is an interesting comparison that I am familiar with.

I do not think I would ever mistake any recording I have heard on either label for the other. Apples/oranges. I associate Telarc with mostly digitally mastered recordings whereas MLP in their day was 100% analog (with later masterings in the 90s to these CDs).

Fascinating how such different beasts can still both sound very good.

Analog warmth, soundstage and dynamics are the hallmarks of the best MLP recordings. I do not necessarily consider these to be more strictly natural sounding in timbre, but most enjoyable and involving regardless.

MLP recordings sound very good on my OHMs in particular due to the simple miking techniques used in most/many. The soundstage is absolute top notch in regards to size and positioning of instruments within and that allows a lot of natural detail and a high degree of musical involvement. In this regard, I would say the closest sounding modern recordings I know of are those on the Mapleshade label, which employs similar production values in regards to how performances are miked. Still I doubt I would confuse a Mapleshade with a MLP recording. Two different beasts from two different eras still.