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GEMS from the DECCA catalogue #3
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- Опубликовано: 6 сен 2024
- A group of diverse recordings highlighting the extraordinary range and quality of the Decca/London catalogue.
Film music by Bernard Herrmann in a stunning audiophile reissue (mastered by Bernie Grundman), Solti conducting Richard Strauss in Chicago, luminous Russian music from Ernest Ansermet, Janacek string quartets, and one of the indisputable masterpieces of the 20th century, Benjamin Britten's "War Requiem", conducted by the composer.
You can watch the earlier videos in the GEMS from the DECCA catalogue series here:
www.youtube.co....
• GEMS from the DECCA ca...
You can listen to a beautiful transcription from the original vinyl of Herrmann's music for "Mysterious Island" here:
• Bernard Herrmann - Mys...
You can watch a live broadcast of the "War Requiem" from 1964, with Britten conducting the chamber ensemble, here:
• Benjamin Britten condu...
Short documentary about the creation of the "War Requiem":
• Benjamin Britten's War...
Recommended channels for classical music fans and collectors:
David Hurwitz
www.youtube.co....
Poetry On Plastic
www.youtube.co....
An invaluable guide to all the different pressings of the main classical labels:
www.youtube.co....
And as good a guide as you'll ever need to all the different permutations of Decca LP pressings:
www.youtube.co....
Another excellent resource for new classical recordings is BBC Radio 3's long-standing weekly broadcast "Record Review". Shows remain available to listen to for 30 days after first broadcast:
www.bbc.co.uk/....
My system, which has evolved over 20-plus years, is tube based and many pieces were acquired used. It was mostly put together with the invaluable help and ears of Eliot Midwood at Acoustic Image (acousticimage.com) who is also responsible for many of the fine recordings on the Yarlung label.
Well-Tempered Classic Turntable (round motor)
Micro-Benz Ruby 2 MC Cartridge
Phonostage: L.A. Audio
Cary Audio CD/SACD 306
Preamp: Kora Equinoxe
Amps: Genesis Monoblocks 60 Amp Valve
Speakers: Silverline Sonatas with upgraded crossover and tweeters (Dynaudio)
Cabling: Aural Symphonics
Custom-made stands, with a Townshend Seismic Sink for the Well-Tempered turntable
The Mysterious Film World of Bernard Herrmann is a true demonstration recording. The brass and percussion in Jason and the Argonauts and Mysterious Island sounds fantastic. When I play this recording on my JBL Hartsfield speakers the orchestra sounds like it's in my living room.
I managed to find a clean wide-band copy of the Britten recording War Requiem recently, complete with a programme of a performance from 1977 with Charles Groves conducting the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra! Also came with a magazine article from a 1986 issue of The Listener. It's an extremely moving piece, especially to perform it. I myself sang in the boys' choir for a performance back in 2014 for the centenary of the First World War and my father was in the main choir.
About a year and a half ago I managed to find the original Supraphon release of the Janacek Quartet's recording of the Quartets, and I fell in love with them instantly. They are true masterpieces.
Anyway, thanks for the video!
That must have been an extraordinary experience performing in War Requiem. Good for you finding those records!
I recently managed to find the War Requiem in a still-sealed Dutch pressing from the late 70s or early 80s. The packaging was in remarkable condition (the entire thing was still shrinkwrapped so that isnt surprising) which is important as I like the design so much. I did not, however, realise it was a dutch pressing until opening it.
However, I already had my eye on an ED-1 pressing available on eBay but in a badly wrecked box. I bought that, and have now combined the two into the mint condition Dutch box.
I wish I could say I was home and hosed at that point; but it turned out that BOTH sets of the Requiem were very noisy - and this even though the Dutch copy was mint and still shrink wrapped! I have spent a couple of days with my limited equipment trying to clean the ED-1 version, with some success. When it's done I hope I can listen beyond the first side! Then I'll clean the Dutch one.
Another great episode! Thanks in particular for the fine information on Britten.
Thanks so much for watching. Britten is a very special composer for me.
Going to Ebay for that War lp.
You will not be disappointed. It is an extraordinary work and recording.
Mark, your presentations are timeless. I have learnt so much from you. Thank you for sharing.
Last quarter of this video contains astute commentary on Britten's War Requiem.
I didn't know that there were any true audiophiles left until I happened upon your channel. My ears don't qualify me to be one, but I enjoy your videos. You always manage to find beautiful illustrations to enhance your presentations, and I think you've surpassed yourself in this one - I especially liked the old Italian movie posters, and it was fascinating to see Janacek as a young man, as well as decades later with Zdenka in the window - I wonder if this was taken after he had become obsessed with Kamila.
I still have my old London LP of the War Requiem. I remember the excitement when the work first premiered that the critical response was mixed - some seemed to feel that that piece was somehow straining too hard to be an important masterpiece, but time has proved them wrong. I think that the closing portion of the piece which follows shortly after your excerpt breaks off, from "I am the enemy you killed, my friend", till the close, is one of the most moving passages in all of music.
Yes, it is an otherworldly conclusion to an extraordinary work. The poem itself, "Strange Meeting", manages to personalize the act of killing and the senselessness of war in a unique way, with that haunting line: "I am the enemy you killed, my friend...." Stunning, and Britten fully rises to the challenge of setting it to music. Glad you enjoy the visuals! (And yes, I imagine this photo of Janacek and his wife is after the obsession had taken root - it reminded me of Bergman's "Wild strawberries"......)
Your work in these videos is wonderful, I love them, thank you!
I'm a lifelong Chicago Symphony fan. As good as Solti was in Mahler, Beethoven and Wagner, Reiner's (1962) Also Sprach Zarathustra is in a class of its own. The absolute best! Their ensemble, intonation, power and beauty are unmatchable. Sidney Harth's beautiful violin solos and Donald Peck's flute and Leonard Sharrow's bassoon solos make it sound like heaven on earth at the end. Artistry of the highest order!
Thank you very much for all the time and effort that you're putting in for creating such high quality content. I am also a collector of classical music records and listen to classical music daily. Do you have any recommendation on Franck's Symphony in D Minor with regards to a specific conductor and also a record label? I'm familiar with the whole discussion on Bernstein having wanted to play the symphony in the most sublime manner by slowing the tempo to make the whole piece sound melancholic and dark, but I'd like to know your opinion on that and whether you recommend any other conductor or a specific record for this magnificent symphony. I also have in my CD collection a recording of Franck's Sonata in A major (flute and piano) by two musicians named Racine and Meyer and the collaboration of the two has resulted in a truly memorable performance. Anyways, I appreciate your channel and I always look forward to your next video. Cheers, Kash from Sacramento.
I happen to like Karajan's recording of the Franck on EMI - he only recorded it once. General consensus is that the classic old Pierre Monteux recording on RCA Living Stereo is the benchmark, and it is indeed wonderful. I've never heard the Bernstein - will investigate.....
Excellent video. Keep up the good work.
Thank you!
Greatly enjoy your video.. learn a lot.
Wonderful survey. I really enjoy your channel. I am a jazz trumpet player living in Greenwich South East London, but love classical music & opera as much as jazz & am a collector. What you do is important. Many thanks. Look forward to the next one.
Thank you so much for watching, and your kind words.
Ice been working on my Bernard Herrmann collection lately.
Funny you should mention Karajan doing Strauss on DG but forget to note that he recorded (on DECCA) Zarathustra with the Vienna Philharmonic. And it was that specific recording that was used in the film 2001: A Space Odyssey. That is why you don't find it on the original soundtrack, but instead get the Karl Böhm version. MGM records had copyrights agreement with DGG at the time and not DECCA.
PS: They should re-issue Fantasy Film World next.
LOVE the Decca/Karajan records - Dvorak 8th is incredible. Yes, have the Decca Zarathustra on WB original, plus Don Juan etc. Funny I didn't mention them. Brain like a sieve sometimes.... Yes, someone has to do Fantasy World!!!
@@musiconrecord6724 Thank you for the reply and for your videos as well --- great stuff!
Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs actually did a re-issue of The Fantasy Film World of Bernard Herrmann labeled "Original Master Recording" which has a gatefold jacket (MFSL 1-240). They were going to do the same for Mysterious World but only got as far as making some test pressings. (They did issue it on CD) I actually have one of those LP pressings. It looks like DECCA and MFSL had some sort of agreement on making these ... each would produce one of the two.
I adore Bernard Herrmann and have practically everything he recorded on CD, but I also have the London "Mysterious Worlds" LP you feature here. The tempi are slow; Herrmann was older and not in good health is what I gather. "Pursued by Giants" from "Gulliver" is a system-destroyer; there is some overload at the climax but the bass drum just shakes the room. Wonderful stuff!!!
The ORG reissue is even better than the original, which is saying something. Herrmann's tempos tended to be slower for most of those Phase 4 records - not a problem IMO.
Thankyou - another great episode
The Janacek photos are touching /beautiful
I never bought the War Requiem - I got to know it borrowed from my local library - but strangely I just bought a vinyl copy last week for £5.00 !
Its Number is MET 252/253 - does that mean mono ? SET being stereo ?
It’s a stupendous piece of music
A live performance is always stunning
No previous classical experience needed as I think as it’s quite cinematic
I think John Culshaw designed the magnificent box
He hated the design the art department came up with
Thanks so much for watching. MET does indeed mean Mono. You owe it to yourself to get a stereo copy.
@@musiconrecord6724
Definitely !
I should do this rebuying vinyl buying properly
Getting a turntable would help
A standout Decca recording I have from the 70s is the Bohm Bruckner 4th - on 4 sides
Can I have your thoughts please on the Rachmaninov Piano Concertos with Ashkenazy, Previn LSO and Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto Ashkenazy , Maazel .
Two favourites of mine .
I listen with Valve gear and low output moving coil and get a pretty good result.
You have a really good channel going
The Rachmaninov cycle is a classic, as are the Beethoven and Prokofiev cycles. Not familiar with Ashkenazy's Tchaikovsky 1, but I imagine it's very good.
Phase 4 were great, but really not audiophile, they were multi miced. Designed to test your 60's or eary 70's stereos. They don't give an honest sound to the orchestra. Every instrument is pushed onto your lap. Yuk