Great video and some wonderful finds, especially the highlights from Aida and Walkure! As an avid collector of classical (and in particular opera) myself, I'm always happy to see more videos on the subject. "The World of" series is a really great (and cheap) way to sample and acquire most of the Decca catalogue. In fact, one of my favourite Scheherazades, Monteux with the LSO was reissued on that label - definitely worth looking out for! I think getting more operatic highlights and recital albums (instead of the complete opera box sets) is absolutely the way to go if you're new to opera. Some names of singers to look out for include Maria Callas, Tito Gobbi, Franco Corelli (on that Aida recording), Giuseppe Di Stefano, Ettore Bastianini, Robert Merrill, Richard Tucker, Montserrat Caballe, Nicolai Ghiaurov, Mirella Freni, Carlo Bergonzi, Sherrill Milnes, Samuel Ramey and Grace Bumbry (RIP) to name but a few. In terms of resell value, the records to look out for are mostly those pressed in the late '50s and early '60s, in particular Decca "Wide-band" ED1 pressings, especially those SXL with serial numbers in the 2000s (e.g. www.discogs.com/release/4145422-MendelssohnLondon-Symphony-Orchestra-Peter-Maag-A-Midsummer-Nights-Dream), and the Columbia SAX series silver-blue label (e.g. www.discogs.com/release/4150108-Beethoven-Leonid-Kogan-Paris-Conservatoire-Orchestra-Conducted-By-Constantin-Silvestri-Violin-Concer).
Thank you and thanks for the information given here, I hear also there are a few readers digest box sets are worth picking up, I don't suppose you know what those titles they are?
@@vinyldale You're so welcome! I believe the Reader's Digest boxes are generally reissues of RCA's catalogue; the "Command Performance - A Night at the Opera" box, which I own, is a compilation of various arias and excerpts from RCAs numerous opera recordings. There's also Rene Leibowitz's solid Beethoven cycle with the RPO, a Toscanini light music compilation box and various other compilations of mostly short, well-known pieces and easy listening music.
Great Video ! I have seen some Contour Pressings but not Classical but Tamala Mowtown Bands on Contour presdings but tired and well played Records! First Time ! Columbia Red Labels Reissues is what I hope to find or better !! Some of the composers names you will pick up! You are 100% the condition of some of the classical boxbsets are stunning..Your EBay search is Columbia SAX ( not Red Labels ) Great Video !
I have a good appreciation of classical music and used to have a lot of my dads' classical records, but many were in terrible condition, because we used to 'play' them as kids. Much of my Classical collection is now on CD rather than vinyl. Sheherazade, was my dads' favourite and it was played at his funeral service..so that one is very special to me. I have to say that Opera, for me anyway is an acquired taste and I'm not ready for that yet, although I appreciate that it's good. I'm always looking for Beethoven symphonies in good condition on Deutche Gramaphon or other quality labels like Decca. I've watched some of Alans' videos on classical finds and was shocked at the value of some of them, but of course, you have to know what you're looking for, and I'm definitely still a novice in that regard. Thanks for showing these,Simon. Great that you're exploring Classical and good luck with your hunting!.
Thanks Rob, I don't expect too many to be interested in this video but thought I'd upload it anyway, scheherazade was a favourite of my late father too, I burt it to a disc for him years ago, decca is shear quality and was a big player when it comes to classical, thanks for interest and kind comments, all the best going into the new year, cheerss 👍
Great comment! My favourite of Decca's Beethoven cycles is by far Hans Schmidt-Isserstedt's with the Vienna Philharmonic (probably their best Beethoven cycle too) from the mid '60s, crowned with one of the greatest Ninth Symphonies in the ever recorded.
My experience of classical vinyl is a mixed one. I'm not a fan per se but like some bits. It's a very murky world when it comes to value. The vast majority of it is worthless but if you like the music, that's all that matters. I know the Decca FFSS (early stereo) label is sought after. That said, I had a Bizet (mono) disc I sold for £3 and later discovered to my chagrin sells for nearer £150! You live and you learn.
Bought a load of them for 50p because most of them had good polyliners inside which I used for my better records then checked ebay and the classical ones were higher priced than the ones I used the liners for the grammaphone one with the yellow title there good sounding records.
Yes, you can tell they put a lot of thought in care in some of the classical albums, I noticed those yellow ones are mastered digitally which I think is why they sound good pressed to vinyl
I listen to alot of radio 3 in the car (always seems to have good reception) and they do play a wider selection of things than when it was a tad more snobby and refined in the olden days. I think your doing well, nothing wrong with a bit of dabbling and there's plenty out there too. It's just as interesting finding out about composers, background of stories and different recordings.
So do you owns any Andre Segovia? if so what do you think about him? if he falls into classical do you have any of Alan Hawlorth? if so what do you think about his guitar playing? nice pick ups?
Great video and some wonderful finds, especially the highlights from Aida and Walkure! As an avid collector of classical (and in particular opera) myself, I'm always happy to see more videos on the subject. "The World of" series is a really great (and cheap) way to sample and acquire most of the Decca catalogue. In fact, one of my favourite Scheherazades, Monteux with the LSO was reissued on that label - definitely worth looking out for!
I think getting more operatic highlights and recital albums (instead of the complete opera box sets) is absolutely the way to go if you're new to opera. Some names of singers to look out for include Maria Callas, Tito Gobbi, Franco Corelli (on that Aida recording), Giuseppe Di Stefano, Ettore Bastianini, Robert Merrill, Richard Tucker, Montserrat Caballe, Nicolai Ghiaurov, Mirella Freni, Carlo Bergonzi, Sherrill Milnes, Samuel Ramey and Grace Bumbry (RIP) to name but a few.
In terms of resell value, the records to look out for are mostly those pressed in the late '50s and early '60s, in particular Decca "Wide-band" ED1 pressings, especially those SXL with serial numbers in the 2000s (e.g. www.discogs.com/release/4145422-MendelssohnLondon-Symphony-Orchestra-Peter-Maag-A-Midsummer-Nights-Dream), and the Columbia SAX series silver-blue label (e.g. www.discogs.com/release/4150108-Beethoven-Leonid-Kogan-Paris-Conservatoire-Orchestra-Conducted-By-Constantin-Silvestri-Violin-Concer).
Thank you and thanks for the information given here, I hear also there are a few readers digest box sets are worth picking up, I don't suppose you know what those titles they are?
@@vinyldale You're so welcome! I believe the Reader's Digest boxes are generally reissues of RCA's catalogue; the "Command Performance - A Night at the Opera" box, which I own, is a compilation of various arias and excerpts from RCAs numerous opera recordings. There's also Rene Leibowitz's solid Beethoven cycle with the RPO, a Toscanini light music compilation box and various other compilations of mostly short, well-known pieces and easy listening music.
Great Video ! I have seen some Contour Pressings but not Classical but Tamala Mowtown Bands on Contour presdings but tired and well played Records! First Time ! Columbia Red Labels Reissues is what I hope to find or better !! Some of the composers names you will pick up! You are 100% the condition of some of the classical boxbsets are stunning..Your EBay search is Columbia SAX ( not Red Labels ) Great Video !
@@davidbagnall335sorry very delayed reply, but much thanks 🙏
There are some great vintage Classical record! In the UK, the Decca is king!
@@JustFortheRecord66 agreed, Decca is the best
Classical buyers tend to look after their records... in particular DG releases tend to be in great condition when they appear in charity shops.
Absolutely; that's why 80%+ of my collection comes from charity shops/car boot sales :)
Mercury "Living Presence" albums are worth a punt. Lot were mastered on 35mm film stock.
I have a good appreciation of classical music and used to have a lot of my dads' classical records, but many were in terrible condition, because we used to 'play' them as kids.
Much of my Classical collection is now on CD rather than vinyl.
Sheherazade, was my dads' favourite and it was played at his funeral service..so that one is very special to me.
I have to say that Opera, for me anyway is an acquired taste and I'm not ready for that yet, although I appreciate that it's good.
I'm always looking for Beethoven symphonies in good condition on Deutche Gramaphon or other quality labels like Decca.
I've watched some of Alans' videos on classical finds and was shocked at the value of some of them, but of course, you have to know what you're looking for, and I'm definitely still a novice in that regard.
Thanks for showing these,Simon.
Great that you're exploring Classical and good luck with your hunting!.
Thanks Rob, I don't expect too many to be interested in this video but thought I'd upload it anyway, scheherazade was a favourite of my late father too, I burt it to a disc for him years ago, decca is shear quality and was a big player when it comes to classical, thanks for interest and kind comments, all the best going into the new year, cheerss 👍
Great comment! My favourite of Decca's Beethoven cycles is by far Hans Schmidt-Isserstedt's with the Vienna Philharmonic (probably their best Beethoven cycle too) from the mid '60s, crowned with one of the greatest Ninth Symphonies in the ever recorded.
Wow AMAZING finds!
@@dat1phoenix173 thank you 🙏
That Aida is an original.The represses have a black and white label. So I would say look at the pictures on discogs!
Thanks for that, I'll take a look
@@vinyldale Just click on the image.
My experience of classical vinyl is a mixed one. I'm not a fan per se but like some bits. It's a very murky world when it comes to value. The vast majority of it is worthless but if you like the music, that's all that matters. I know the Decca FFSS (early stereo) label is sought after. That said, I had a Bizet (mono) disc I sold for £3 and later discovered to my chagrin sells for nearer £150! You live and you learn.
Your right, the majority is worthless but there are some rather sought after and expensive pieces amongst all the usual worthless material as you know
Hi Simon I’m always picking up classical records my local charity shop was selling them for 10p each so i picked up 80 …👍
Wow, 10p a record bargain, get anything good?
@@vinyldale most are in a box quite a few of those d.. gramophone with the yellow from covers 👍
Damn, I'm very jealous. Then again, if I did that my parents would crucify me... 😅
Bought a load of them for 50p because most of them had good polyliners inside which I used for my better records then checked ebay and the classical ones were higher priced than the ones I used the liners for the grammaphone one with the yellow title there good sounding records.
Yes, you can tell they put a lot of thought in care in some of the classical albums, I noticed those yellow ones are mastered digitally which I think is why they sound good pressed to vinyl
I listen to alot of radio 3 in the car (always seems to have good reception) and they do play a wider selection of things than when it was a tad more snobby and refined in the olden days. I think your doing well, nothing wrong with a bit of dabbling and there's plenty out there too. It's just as interesting finding out about composers, background of stories and different recordings.
I can listen to orchestral pieces but can't listen to opera for too long, thanks Martin
@@vinyldale it's like a posh EastEnders 🤔🤪
So do you owns any Andre Segovia? if so what do you think about him? if he falls into classical do you have any of Alan Hawlorth? if so what do you think about his guitar playing?
nice pick ups?
No, sorry Mark, my collection is very limited