Thursday, November 3rd, 2011
KHCD-2011-090-2CD (STEREO) – Early Decca Stereo Recordings of Georg Solti: Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 5 in e minor, Op. 64 – Paris Conservatory Orchestra (1956 recording); Rossini-Respighi: La Boutique fantasque; Dukas: The Sorcerer’s Apprentice – Israel Philharmonic Orchestra (1957 recording) – conducted by George Solti – An interesting compilation of works conducted by Georg Solti, recorded at the dawn of stereo by Decca in 1956-57, The Tchaikovsky 5th is played better than one would suspect, given the wayward temperament of the Paris Conservatory Orchestra. Solti belays any nonsense, bringing forth a recording that is suitably straightforward, with moments of great beauty. The Tchaikovsky is transcribed a blue-back sleeve, semi-matte finish red with silver print label CS-series London LP. The Rossini-Respighi La Boutique fantasque recording is one of the best ever made (from 1957), and shines once again in this transcription, derived from an early orange full-size label Stereo Treasury Series LP. The Dukas is played with the correct amount of tongue-in-cheek, without any showy displays, serving the music well, as well as does Decca’s marvelous early stereo reproduction.
This was a fun project for me, as I had owned copies of both of these performances back in high school, and they were in my collection through college, until they finally were unplayable. In my constant search for new materials to restore, I came across clean copies in Denver last year. I finally had a chance to work on them a year later, and I am pleased with the result. Check out the MP3 sample of this CD on Klassic Haus Restorations.
Thanks for visiting! – Cheers – Curt TImmons