Ristenpart Conducts Beethoven and Mozart – New Klassic Haus CD posted on klassichaus.us

I have just posted this Klassic Haus CD on my website. I know there are many collectors of Karl Ristenpart’s recordings out there. When Nonesuch LPs were available, 10% of their catalogue consisted of recordings featuring Ristenpart conducting. Unfortunately, those venerable recordings are hard to find now. I currently have two CDs on my site with Maestro Ristenpart leading the Saar Chamber Orchestra in Haydn’s “Morning”, “Noon” and “Night” symphonies, two Mozart Divertimenti,  and the South German Philharmonic performing Beethoven’s “Eroica”. I have others in the works, but the LPs I have are later pressings, and have some “fatal” flaws, consisting mostly of vinyl “swishing”, resulting from worn metal masters and/or improper pressing. So, until I find earlier pressings in better shape, or a restoration program aggressive enough to remove the noise without degradation, they languish on my record shelf, awaiting repair.

The Beethoven “Eroica” recording comes from a Checkmate LP, an imprint of the Nonesuch label. Checkmate LPs were mastered at half speed, using master tapes that had been recorded with the then-new Dolby A 301 Audio Noise Reduction System. The result was an LP that had crisper high-frequency reproduction. Indeed, most Checkmate LPs came off sounding a bit brittle, so discreet softening of the extreme highs while remastering resulted in a more pleasing, realistic sound-stage. Ristenpart’s interpretation is moderately paced with much inner voice detail throughout;  the Marcia funebrae is particularly memorable in its fervor and lyricism.  The Mozart Divertimenti come from a Nonesuch disc, inscribing the last recording sessions he directed in November, 1967. Always insightful, stylish, assured and spontaneous, these recordings reassert Karl Ristenpart’s interpretive prowess.