Klassic Haus Conversations

KHCD-ST007 (MONO) – Eleven Against The Ice – Soundtrack from the 1957 NBC-TV Special – Music by Kenyon Hopkins – “Eleven Against the Ice” was an NBC-TV Color Special documentary broadcast in September 1957. The show followed 11 men who trailed the 640 mile safe route across the Antarctic to build the original Byrd Station. Operation Deep Freeze was an annual mission from 1956 to 1969 for geophysical scientists and topographic personnel of the National Science Foundation in Antarctica in remote areas of the South Pole.The soundtrack for the show was scored by Kenyon Hopkins (1912-1983) and released as a mono LP on RCA LPM-1618 in 1958. Some of the score is variations on a song, “Ballad of the Cowboy-Sailor” with lyrics by Robert Emmett Ginna (sung by Jimmy Simmons). Kenyon Hopkins remains one of the most unrepresented score composers on CD, and his mostly jazz influenced scores remain prized collectibles. An excellent-condition LP was used for this transcription, and was produced by customer request.

I am currently working on 3 more Kenyon Hopkins scores; “East Side-West Side”, from the classic 1964 TV series with George C. Scott (on a Columbia stereo LP); “The Yellow Canary”,  from the 1963 20th Century/Fox movie starring Pat Boone and Barbara Eden (on a mono Verve LP); and “The Strange One”, from the 1957 Columbia Pictures movie starring Ben Gazzara (on a mono Coral LP, a challenge to restore!)

More coming – Cheers – Curt Timmons

and “The Strange One”

KHCD-2011-084 (MONO) – An Album of  Military Band Music – Music by Sousa; Holst: First Suite for Military Band, Op. 28;  Rosse: The Merchant of Venice; Ansell: Three Irish Pictures; Wood: Three Dale Dances – Band of the Grenadier Guards – The regiment of the Grenadier Guards was founded by King Charles II in 1656 as “The Royal Regiment of Guards”. They have always been regarded as the most loyal, valiant and professional of soldiers. Not the least of their distinctions, however, is their fine tradition of martial music. Familiar marches by Sousa, as well as Holst’s First Suite for Military Band and less well-known pieces by Rosse, Ansell and Wood are featured, with the precise playing and unique timbre of the Band of the Grenadier Guards. Recorded with Decca/London’s ffrr technique, this is a terrific introduction to the British military band sound, so different from the sometimes “aggressive” American wind band sound many of us know.

The stereo versions of these classic military band recordings are very difficult to find; if I ever do find stereo copies, I will remaster this album. In the meantime, the classic Decca/London  ffrr mono sound shines on this disc.

More later – Cheers – Curt Timmons

KHCD-2011-083-3CD (STEREO) – J. S. Bach: Orgelbüchlein, BWV 599-644 – Organ Choral Preludes for the Church Year, Cantata Chorales, and other Chorale settings – Chorus of the Gedächtniskirche, Stuttgart – Helmuth Rilling, organist and conductor – Bach’s original intention for the Orgelbüchlein was to compose 164 preludes on the 161 chorale melodies he listed on the 92 introductory pages of the manuscript (three titles are entered twice). He got around to finishing only 46, but managed to hit the high spots of the church year, coming close to achieving his purpose, if only at a smaller scale. The finely etched miniatures of the Orgelbüchlein chorales in this recording are paired with choral settings by Bach and others to demonstrate the relationship of the organ pieces to their models in the Lutheran liturgy. Reverently performed by the Chorus of the Gedächtniskirche, Stuttgart,  and led by Bach expert Helmuth Rilling, this 3-CD set is derived from a 4-LP Nonesuch set, originally recorded by Barenreiter.

More to come – Cheers – Curt Timmons

KHCD-2011-082 (STEREO) – Beethoven: Missa Solemnis in D, Op. 123 – Leonore Kirchstein, soprano; Jeanne Deroubaix, alto; Peter Schreier, tenor; Günter Morbach, bass; Gürzenich Symphony Orchestra and Chorus/Gunter Wand – Beethoven’s personal blending of dogma and drama in his Missa Solemnis resulted in an outpouring of human emotion, a towering masterpiece from a composer often accused of lacking the gift of writing for the human voice. Gunter Wand leads a stellar performance of this profound work, recorded originally by Club Français du Disque, and licensed to Nonesuch. A near-mint 2-LP set was used for this transcription.

Another great recording taped by Club Français du Disque, who supplied many licensed recordings to the Nonesuch label during the 60s.

More to come – Cheers – Curt Timmons

KHCD-2011-081-2CD (STEREO) – The Artistry of Maurice André – Trumpet Concerti by Haydn, Hummel, Vivaldi Telemann, Albinoni & Torelli – Jean-François Chamber Orchestra/Lamoureux Orchestra/Die Weiner Solisten; Music for Trumpet and Organ – Selections by Bach, Gervaise, Viviani & Torelli – Marie-Claire Alain, organ – The quintessential classical virtuoso trumpeter,  he rose to international prominence in the 1960s and 1970s with a large series of recordings of Baroque works on piccolo trumpet for Erato and other labels. Not content to limit himself to the standard Baroque trumpet repertoire, he also performed many transcriptions of works for oboe, flute, and even voice and string instruments. These recordings were (and remain) very popular, and were a strong component of the rebirth of interest in Baroque music in the 1960s. Fellow trumpeters and music lovers the world over have praised André for his clear, bright, ringing tone on the piccolo trumpet. His flawless and graceful performances have inspired many brass musicians, young and old. He has over 300 audio recordings to his name, from the mid 1950s to the present. This collection is derived from an RCA set licensed by Erato, and an original Erato LP, with recordings dating from the mid-60s to 1972. A delightful set, with much to enjoy from André’s extraordinary talent.

Many of these recordings were not released on the Erato 6-CD set, which is now very hard to find. The RCA set packaging was an exercise in economy; the slipcase was made a bit larger to accomodate 2 LPs, a common practice with multi-LP sets of Erato recordings sold in the US during the 70s. Of course, with the Dynaflex pressings, it was not a tight fit! This set is a great intro to André’s artistry.

More to come – Cheers – Curt Timmons

KHCD-2011-080 (STEREO) – Fennell conducts Cole Porter – Frederick Fennell and Orchestra /Fennell conducts Broadway Marches  Frederick Fennell/Eastman –Rochester Orchestra Winds, Brass, and Percussion – Mercury records utilized the 35mm film recording technique in both classical and orchestral pop sessions from 1959 on through the 60s, just as Command,  and Everest. The “Perfect Presence Sound” series featured orchestral pop arrangements produced by Fine Recording, and recorded in their converted ballroom at Bayside Studios on Long Island, New York. They utilized up to 18 miics (unlike the minimilist 3-mic technique used in their classical series). The packaging was a laminated gatefold cover, and the LPs were pressed by RCA. The Cole Porter selections were arranged by Ray Wright for the first half of this disc. The Broadway Marches selections were recorded by Mercury’s classical unit, with arrangements by John Krantz (a former member of the Eastman Wind Ensemble, coincidentally). Members of the Eastman-Rochester Orchestra were used for the sessions, recorded in the Eastman Theater.

Thanks for visiting! – Cheers – Curt Timmons

KHCD-2011-079-2CD (STEREO) – Rózsa conducts Rózsa – Overture to a Symphony Concert, Op. 26/a; Three Hungarian Sketches, Op. 14; Notturna Ungherese, Op. 26;  Theme, Variations and Finale, Op. 13;  Concerto for String Orchestra, Op. 17; Kaleidoscope, Op. 19a (Six Short Pieces for Small Orchestra); Variations on a Hungarian Peasant Song, for violin and orchestra, Op. 4 (with Denes Zsigmondy, violin) – RCA Italiana Orchestra/Vienna State Opera Orchestra/Miklos Rózsa – Although recognized primarily as a film composer,  Rózsa wrote extensively for the concert stage throughout his career. This collection is an overview of some of his most recognized concert pieces, recorded by RCA and Westminster, and conducted by the composer. Rare LPs in mint condition were used for this CD set.

Thanks for visiting! – Cheers – Curt Timmons

KHCD-2011-078 (STEREO) – Korngold: Concerto in D for Violin and Orchestra, Op. 35 (Ulf Hoelscher, violin); Suite from the Incidental Music to Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing”, Op. 11; Theme and Variations, Op. 42 – Willy Mattes/Stuttgart Radio Orchestra – Three brilliant pieces covering Korngold’s non-movie-related orchestral pieces, highlighted by the 1947 Violin Concerto. He does borrow from his movie scores in the Concerto, however, but what wonderful music he borrows! Four  movies provide themes throughout the Concerto (1st movement borrows from “Another Dawn” and Juarez”; 2nd movement from “Anthony Adverse”; 3rd movement from “The Prince and The Pauper”). The incidental music from “Much Ado About Nothing” is from 1918, while Korngold still resided in Germany. The 1955 “Theme and Variations” was written as a challenge, to provide a work suitable for the limited personnel and skills of  school orchestras. Transcribed from an EMI/Angel LP, recorded in collaboration with Süddeutscher Rundfunk, Stuttgart.

Thanks for visiting! – Cheers – Curt Timmons

KHCD-2011-077 (STEREO) – Brahms: Symphony No. 3 in F, Op. 90; Variations on a Theme of Haydn, Op. 56a – L’ Orchestre de la Suisse Romande/Ernest Ansermet – Ansermet recorded the Classical and Romantic repertoire late in his career, much to the surprise of some critics. His interpretations of Brahms’ symphonies fit perhaps between Klemperer’s dry-eyed approach, and Walter’s firmly Romantic view. He eschews broad gestures, and cut right to the heart of the matter, and leaves one satisfied that all has been touched upon correctly. The 3rd Symphony receives a stellar performance, along with a well-paced Haydn Variations. Ansermet’s Brahms is due a reassessment, and this disc provides ample rewards.

I have always admired Ansermet’s conducting, with his straight-to-the-matter approach, especially with Classical and Romantic literature. His Beethoven and Brahms recordings have been unjustly neglected, and deserve reissuing.

Thanks for visiting! – Cheers – Curt Timmons

KHCD-2011-076-2CD (STEREO) – The Artistry of Rudolf Kempe – Music by Heuberger, Humperdinck, Lehár, Mendelssohn, Resnicek, Suppé, and the Strauss Family – Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra/Rudolf Kempe – Rudolf Kempe (1910-1976) Principal Conductor to some of the leading orchestras and opera houses in Europe, was one of the last representatives of the great German conducting tradition of the 19^th and 20^th centuries. Throughout the world he was highly regarded for his baton technique which in its brilliance and clarity was second to none; for the authenticity of his interpretations of an uncommonly wide repertoire in both opera and concert; for his qualities as an educator and guiding spirit of orchestras; and for his integrity as a musician and as a man. This collection is a brief glimpse into the extraordinary talent of Kempe, featuring music of Romantic masters and of members of the Strauss family, in EMI/Angel recordings from the late 50s and early 60s.

This collection came about after some searching to find another album to fill out the CD I had started with the Mendelssohn and Humperdinck LP. Finding the EMI/Seraphim “Silver and Gold” set fit the bill, and the result is a great intro to Kempe’s art.

Thanks for visting! – Cheers – Curt Timmons