Brahms: Symphony No. 1 in c minor, Op. 68 – William Steinberg/Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra; Wagner: Prelude to Act III/Dance of the Apprentices/Entrance of the Meistersingers from “Die Meistersinger”; Prelude to “Die Meistersinger” – Eugene Ormandy/Philadelphia Orchestra

KHCD-2011-098 (STEREO) – Brahms: Symphony No. 1 in c minor, Op. 68 – William Steinberg/Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra; Wagner: Prelude to Act III/Dance of the Apprentices/Entrance of the Meistersingers from “Die Meistersinger”; Prelude to “Die Meistersinger” – Eugene Ormandy/Philadelphia Orchestra – Last in the Steinberg/PSO Brahms Symphony cycle (the others are KHCD-2010-022 Brahms Symphonies Nos. 3&4; KHCD-2011-028 Brahms Symphony No. 2 & Shostakovich Symphony No. 1), finally released after a judicious remastering. I had first remastered the reel tape in 2009, but was not satisfied with the results, so I put the project aside until this year (2011). After spending some time relistening and readjusting, I was happy with the final remaster. It is a faithful reproduction of the reel tape. Steinberg’s performances are to-the-point, well-recorded with a wide soundstage, and are most worthy of reissue. The Wagner selections with Ormandy and the Philadelphia Orchestra are breathtaking in beauty and grandeur. Most of Ormandy’s Wagner recordings on Columbia have been ignored by the current copyright holders, which is a sad state of affairs. His interpretations are less fussy and much more beautiful than many currently in print. A wonderful release! Click here for an MP3 sample.

I have released on Klassic Haus all 4 Brahms Symphonies as recorded by William Steinberg and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, remastered using reel-to-reel tapes originally issued by Command Classics. I am also gradually reissuing their Beethoven Symphony cycle, using reel tape masters whenever possible, and original gold label Grand Award/Command Classics LPs when the reel tape is not available. The 1st, 3rd and 4th Symphonies (coupled with the Leonore Overture No. 3) are currently available on my site.

I am also planning a Wagner disc for early 2012 release featuring Eugene Ormandy and the Philadelphia Orchestra, from Columbia recordings of the late 50s and early 60s that have not found their way onto CD.

Thanks for checking in! Cheers- Curt Timmons

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