Thursday, March 10th, 2011
I have posted three more CDs on Klassic Haus Restorations, the fruit of my labors from the end of February. March is turning out to be a busy month for me, as well; I have more travel coming up, as well as continuing projects for Klassic Haus. I’m hoping things will settle down for a while after my travels, and I can get back up to speed, finishing up the 2nd Series 2011 CDs. I’m close to posting my 100th CD!
Here are short comments on the CDs posted:
KHCD-2011-027-2CD (STEREO) – Joseph Haydn: The “Paris” Symphonies: No. 82 in C “L’Ours”; No. 83 in g minor “La Poule”; No. 84 in E-flat; No. 85 in B-flat “La Reine”; No. 86 in D; No. 87 in A – The Orchestra of Naples/Denis Vaughan – One of the most important foreign commissions Haydn received in the 1780s came from Paris. About 1784 Haydn was asked to write six symphonies for the concert de la Loge Olympique orchestra. The symphonies seem to have been performed in 1787, and were the smash hits of the Parisian concert season. Although not stated in the program notes, the performing editions used in these recordings include harpsichord. These transcriptions, from an RCA 3-LP set published in 1967, highlight the superbly disciplined Orchestra of Naples, founded and directed by Denis Vaughan, and recorded in the vibrant acoustics of the Palazzo Reale in Naples.
KHCD-2011-028 (STEREO) – Brahms: Symphony No. 2 in D, Op. 73; Shostakovich: Symphony No. 1 in F, Op. 10 – Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra/William Steinberg – Continuing the series of reissues of the legendary Command Classics recordings made by the Pittsburgh Symphony under William Steinberg, this transfer contains both the first recording made by Enoch Light’s team in Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium, and one of the last in the series. The Brahms was a sonic spectacular from its first release, and this transfer is made from a near mint gold label, heavy platter Command disc. The Shostakovich is a bit more distant in recorded perspective, much as the Beethoven symphonies in the Command series; the disc used has the vibrant sound, low-end depth, and broad soundstage found in first pressings. Interpretations are thoughtful as always, with Steinberg’s signature fresh approach to standard classics.
KHCD-2011-029 (MONO) – Tchaikovsky: Suite No. 2 in C, Op. 53; Concerto in E-flat for Piano and Orchestra, Op. 75; Concert-Fantasia for Piano and Orchestra, Op. 56 – Noel Mewton-Wood, piano/Winterthur Symphony Orchestra/Walter Goehr – This disc is a companion to KHCD-2010-016 (Tchaikovsky Suites No. 1 & No. 3) with same forces, recorded by Concert Hall Society in the early 50s. The 2nd Suite is given a fleet and detailed reading; the single movement 3rd Piano Concerto is insightful and masterfully played by young keyboardist Newton-Wood, coupled with the seldom-heard Concert-Fantasia. Two discs were used for the transfer of the Suite No. 2 (one copy, graciously provided by Steve Haller, had a first-issue dark reddish-brown label, red vinyl disc in restorable condition); the Concerto and Concert-Fantasia was transferred from a good-condition later edition disc. There is some slight congestion in louder passages, but does not detract from the overall soundscape which is quite good mono. The result is a CD that sounds better than the vinyl copies, and preserves performances that deserve to be heard again
I enjoyed producing these three CDs; two of them (The Haydn set and the Steinberg Brahms/Shostakovich) because the copies I had were in such great shape; the other CD because the Tchaikovsky recordings were a challenge, due to the source materials. The results are very enjoyable recordings sounding better than they ever did on vinyl.
Please check these CDs out on my website, as well as the other transfers – many treasures to serach through! Cheers – Curt Timmons