Decca mono bumper box

[Ferretfancy]

I'm awaiting delivery of another Decca box, this time it's called The Mono Years, from 1944 to the advent of stereo in 1958.

I was surprised to find that I won't have many duplications, and it looks quite a feast.

There are 53 CDs, and obviously too many to list, but I'm pleased to see many favourites. These include Campoli playing the Elgar and Bliss concertos, Backhaus with Clemens Krauss in Brahms No.1, Boult's earlier performance of Tchaikovsky's 3rd Suite with the Paris Conservatoire, Dennis Brain with the Griller Quartet in Mozart, and Rachmaninov 3 with Moura Lympany.

There are some nice Anthony Collins recordings that I don't think have been on CD before, notably Elgar's Falstaff, and the nice old fashioned set of Handel's Op. 6 Concerti Grossi with Boyd Neel.

I'm pleased that they have made room for more chamber music than in the stereo boxes, including performances by the Griller Quartet, Quartetto Italiano, and the Arditti Quartet, as well as Mendelssohn and Mozart with the Vienna Octet.

There's no advance information about mastering, and only a selection of notes available for downloading on the Decca website,but
I would say that this is not to be missed.

[makropulos]

I'd strongly agree with all of that - and the chamber music includes some real gems (Chigi Quintet, early Vegh and so on). Sadly, my review for IRR won't now be appearing - but it was extremely enthusiastic. The mastering of previously released things is not new (and I can't recall much information about the newly-released discs - I'll have to check when I get home). But yes, it's a terrific set. Really engrossing actually.

[cloughie]

I'm awaiting delivery of another Decca box, this time it's called The Mono Years, from 1944 to the advent of stereo in 1958.

I was surprised to find that I won't have many duplications, and it looks quite a feast.

There are 53 CDs, and obviously too many to list, but I'm pleased to see many favourites. These include Campoli playing the Elgar and Bliss concertos, Backhaus with Clemens Krauss in Brahms No.1, Boult's earlier performance of Tchaikovsky's 3rd Suite with the Paris Conservatoire, Dennis Brain with the Griller Quartet in Mozart, and Rachmaninov 3 with Moura Lympany.

There are some nice Anthony Collins recordings that I don't think have been on CD before, notably Elgar's Falstaff, and the nice old fashioned set of Handel's Op. 6 Concerti Grossi with Boyd Neel.

I'm pleased that they have made room for more chamber music than in the stereo boxes, including performances by the Griller Quartet, Quartetto Italiano, and the Arditti Quartet, as well as Mendelssohn and Mozart with the Vienna Octet.

There's no advance information about mastering, and only a selection of notes available for downloading on the Decca website,but
I would say that this is not to be missed.

Just checked out the contents on the Presto site - very good selection - some duplicates for me - but it goes on the tempting, can my shelves accommodate them, have I time to listen to them list!

[Dave2002]

Here are the details - http://www.prestoclassical.co.uk/r/Decca/4787946

[frankwm]

Interesting job-lot; the ancient tapes still OK/de-noising, et al, been applied?

A mono chamber-music box would've been a must-have for connoisseurs: so many titles having escaped re-printing since the late '50's.

Petrushka can't be the first 'Decca' LP (as per 'Presto') as it's LXT2502.. preceded by Munchinger's Brandenburg no.4/5..neither was it the first in their previous US-exported 'London' series..LLP-1 was Ossy Renardy's Brahms Violin Conc..a transfer from 78rpm..Petrushka was LLP-130..coming 5 months later.

[pastoralguy]

I was lucky enough to receive this set as a birthday present from Mrs. PG. Its a real treasure trove and, since I didn't start collecting recordings until 1977, I have no duplicates. Well, actually that's not strictly true! The first record I ever remember was the Karelia Suite with Thomas Jensen and the Danish Radio Orchestra. My uncle Bob had it on a 45rpm and I was mesmerised as a small child by this magical device that made these strange but wonderful sounds.

It's so nice to hear it on cd.

[Dave2002]

I think I had/have that Jensen EP - but I don't remember it being mono. If it's the one I think it is, that used to give me a great deal of pleasure.

[LeMartinPecheur]

This Beethoven recording is certainly a collector's item!
Symphony No. 4 in B flat major, Op. 60
Clifford Curzon (piano)
Concertgebouw Orchestra of Amsterdam, Josef Krips

(As per Dave2002's Presto list)

[cloughie]

I notice that Amazon must have seen the interest in this on the boards - the price has suddenly risen sharply - however it is available on Amazon.it for around 68GBP!

[Ferretfancy]

I notice that Amazon must have seen the interest in this on the boards - the price has suddenly risen sharply - however it is available on Amazon.it for around 68GBP!

I ordered mine yesterday morning, and it was marked up on Amazon as only one copy left. No doubt they raised the price on the next batch.

No complaints though, it arrived this morning, and I'm currently working on my catalogue.The items sampled so far sound fine.

[mathias broucek]

I'd strongly agree with all of that - and the chamber music includes some real gems (Chigi Quintet, early Vegh and so on). Sadly, my review for IRR won't now be appearing - but it was extremely enthusiastic. The mastering of previously released things is not new (and I can't recall much information about the newly-released discs - I'll have to check when I get home). But yes, it's a terrific set. Really engrossing actually.

Sorry about the IRR review - my wife has a friend who wrote for them and it's all very sad....

Is your review likely to be published elswhere? And, if not, is there any chance of you publishing it here? (Apologies if I'm treading on your professional toes; not my intention.)

[cloughie]

I was lucky enough to receive this set as a birthday present from Mrs. PG. Its a real treasure trove and, since I didn't start collecting recordings until 1977, I have no duplicates. Well, actually that's not strictly true! The first record I ever remember was the Karelia Suite with Thomas Jensen and the Danish Radio Orchestra. My uncle Bob had it on a 45rpm and I was mesmerised as a small child by this magical device that made these strange but wonderful sounds.



It's so nice to hear it on cd.

Indeed a treasure trove -some duplicates but what the heck! So far tried the Lindenberg, Jensen and Tuxen - who said nostalgia isn't what it was? The sound is really good 60+ years on!

[umslopogaas]

Wonderful stuff! I''ve bought both the stereo and now the mono box, which must be almost everything Decca ever issued on vinyl. Now playing Kodaly 'Hary Janos', cond. Solti so long ago he even had some hair, judging by the photo on the cover.

These Decca boxes are outstanding bargains: around two quid a CD for classic performances, and dont let "mono" put you off, the sound, at least to my ears, is wonderful, and if it isnt up to the very best of 2015 digital stuff, what do you expect for two quid a disc? No surface noise either.

[makropulos]

Sorry about the IRR review - my wife has a friend who wrote for them and it's all very sad....

Is your review likely to be published elswhere? And, if not, is there any chance of you publishing it here? (Apologies if I'm treading on your professional toes; not my intention.)

Not treading on toes at all! I'll give it a read-through and post a tidied up version here :)

[pastoralguy]

Not treading on toes at all! I'll give it a read-through and post a tidied up version here :)

Looking forward to it.