Favourite record label past or present

[Dave2002]

I discovered more about the Fontana label. Seems a lot of American (e.g Mercury) recordings were issued on that label - http://www.soundfountain.com/amb/fontand.html

There is a list of quite a number of classical recordings in that link.

Maybe some of those recordings have reappeared on CD, for example in some of the Mercury boxes from recent years.

[CallMePaul]

Hyperion and Naxos of course, but Brilliant Classics has an extensive range including interesting new recordings as well as reissues. Opus 111 is hard to beat in the Italian and French Baroque, and for something offbeat there is Zig Zag Territories and ECM New Series (I didn't like their Hildegard von Bingen release last year, but there have been few other duds on this label).

[cocolinmichela]

Records: Lyrita, ASV
Past CDs: Philips, Decca, DG
Present: Naxos (great titles and price!), Sony, Chandos (but dearer..)
Worth a mention the SACD RCA Red Seal "Living Stereo" series of old, legendary recordings.

[umslopogaas]

cocolinmichela, re. RCA Red Seal "Living Stereo" recordings, did you know that you can buy an enormous box of CD re-issues of them? 63 CDs for not very much money per CD. The sound is wonderful.

I also collect LPs and have some of those RCAs in the original vinyl, but to get the whole lot on vinyl would cost a fortune and take me more years than I have left.

[BeethovensQuill]

I really enjoy Alpha recordings, especially the Bach, the Organ Trio Sonatas is a great CD. HM, Tudor, MDG, CPO, Linn, BIS, Profil and Hansller.

[Stanfordian]

DG, Philips and Lyrita. I was always confident that I would be hearing first class performances and sound.

[BBMmk2]

Chandos orchestral recordings always sound better than any others on my system!

Some great performances and works too...

Too right!! Totally agree!!

[MickyD]

Too right!! Totally agree!!

I have to agree with that...the Jarvi Prokofiev and Tchaikovsky symphonies sound wonderful, and so does the acoustic of Sophie Yates in her various harpsichord recitals for the same label.

[Lordgeous]

I'm sure I had a Fontana 10" LP of Beeham conducting Beethoven 6th Symph when I was a lad. Has anyone else come across that? I loved it then but not sure what I'd think of it now.

[pastoralguy]

I'm sure I had a Fonta 10" LP of Beeham conducting Beethoven 6th Symph when I was a lad. Has anyone else come across that? I loved it then but not sure what I'd think of it now.

No, but I'd love to!

I'll definitely be keeping an eye open for that one!

[pastoralguy]

I'm sure I had a Fonta 10" LP of Beeham conducting Beethoven 6th Symph when I was a lad. Has anyone else come across that? I loved it then but not sure what I'd think of it now.

Just looked on Amazon where it's available as a download. Someone is selling a near condition of the Lp on eBay where it's coupled with the 'Unfinished' symphony. Might put a bid in...

[hafod]

I'm sure I had a Fonta 10" LP of Beeham conducting Beethoven 6th Symph when I was a lad. Has anyone else come across that? I loved it then but not sure what I'd think of it now.

I have a Columbia LP (33CX1062 - blue and gold label) of Beecham conducting the Pastoral with the RPO. Likewise a 12" LP (Fontana EFL 2505) c/w the 'Unfinished' and also the same coupling on Philips Classical Favourites GL 5730 - the last two would have been bought in charity shops when the great LP clearout occurred in the years following the introduction of CDs. I haven't played these for yonks.

[Dave2002]

I have a Columbia LP (33CX1062 - blue and gold label) of Beecham conducting the Pastoral with the RPO. Likewise a 12" LP (Fontana EFL 2505) c/w the 'Unfinished' and also the same coupling on Philips Classical Favourites GL 5730 - the last two would have been bought in charity shops when the great LP clearout occurred in the years following the introduction of CDs. I haven't played these for yonks.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Beecham-Beethoven-Symphony-Columbia-33CX1062/dp/B008K7TJN4

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Schubert-Vinyl-LP-Symphony-No-8-Unfinished-Fontana-EFL-2505-UK-VG-Ex-/310965985555

I did not expect Beecham recordings to turn up on Fontana!

[gurnemanz]

No mention so far of the long-defunct Coral label under whose auspices Buddy Holly's "It Doesn't Matter Anymore" appeared - my first ever record purchase. 45 single still up there in the loft.

[BBMmk2]

I have to agree with that...the Jarvi Prokofiev and Tchaikovsky symphonies sound wonderful, and so does the acoustic of Sophie Yates in her various harpsichord recitals for the same label.

Jarvi done Tchaik Symphonies?