Amusing review

[mathias broucek]

Found this on Classics Today about the famous Szell/Cleveland live Tokyo concert from 1970 (Sibelius / Mozart) which just arrived from HMV Japan.

"Frankly, if you enjoy any of this music and don't own this concert, you're not thinking clearly. It's the musical experience of a lifetime ... How in heaven's name can you justify not doing that?"

"Not thinking clearly" Outstanding!!!!!

[Panjandrum]

Obviously, a CBS marketing man moonlighting.

[Biffo]

I have Szell conducting the Concertgebouw Orchestra in Sibelius Symphony No 2 (Amsterdam, 1964). Am I at least thinking in the right direction?

[Parry1912]

"How in heaven's name can you justify not doing that?"

More to the point, how can they justify charging so much for a 40-year-old live recording?

[jayne lee wilson]

From the Blue Book of the Bleeding Obvious: because it's very special and very rare!

Neither being live, or 40 years old, should necessarily effect any depreciation. And the price at HMV Japan isn't bad, £20 - £37 depending on the type of disc you want (CD, Blu-spec CD or SACD - but the CDs are pretty good; bear in mind you get 2 discs with a total time of ca. 84').

Drawbacks? It is a little close and fierce and there is some tape hiss, but despite pianissimos being rather less than hushed, it does have a fair dynamic wallop. But the performances... even if you have the Amsterdam Sibelius 2 it's worth getting this one. The Mozart 40 is extraordinary - lithe swift and passionate in Szell's most musically devoted manner. Overall the sound is very good for the vintage - well-balanced, detailed, transparent; the brass have great impact in the Sibelius.

Parry - if you haven't heard it, and you care about the A&R on this disc, then you should.

More to the point, how can they justify charging so much for a 40-year-old live recording?

[makropulos]

From the Blue Book of the Bleeding Obvious: because it's very special and very rare!

Neither being live, or 40 years old, should necessarily effect any depreciation. And the price at HMV Japan isn't bad, £20 - £37 depending on the type of disc you want (CD, Blu-spec CD or SACD - but the CDs are pretty good; bear in mind you get 2 discs with a total time of ca. 84').

Drawbacks? It is a little close and fierce and there is some tape hiss, but despite pianissimos being rather less than hushed, it does have a fair dynamic wallop. But the performances... even if you have the Amsterdam Sibelius 2 it's worth getting this one. The Mozart 40 is extraordinary - lithe swift and passionate in Szell's most musically devoted manner. Overall the sound is very good for the vintage - well-balanced, detailed, transparent; the brass have great impact in the Sibelius.

Parry - if you haven't heard it, and you care about the A&R on this disc, then you should.

Totally agree - I cherish this set and though it would be nice if Sony put it out a bit more cheaply, it's worth every penny of the asking price. Simply marvellous and yes, well worth adding to the Szell/COA performance. The sound is pretty good for the period. The performances are utterly magnificent.

[mathias broucek]

It's one of those exceptional "late" live performances. Another would be the 1986 Jochum / RCO Bruckner 5

[Parry1912]

Am I to assume that you all got your copies at the current price? Or, in a different, cheaper, incarnation?

If Sony's pricing is based on the quality of performance they must really hate the Stravinsky recordings (22CDs) that they're selling for a similar sum!

PS Jayne, it's only 'rare' because Sony have chosen not to re-issue it on one of their widely distributed mid-price labels. It doesn't have an inherent rarity - it's not a hen's tooth!

[Biffo]

Sorry to introduce something as sordid as cash into this but it seems overpriced to me as well. I already have the Amsterdam Sibelius and two Mozart 40s (1955 & 64). For less than half the price you can get a 4-disc set of Szell conducting Haydn Symphonies (Sony) - excellent value and a musical treat.

[mathias broucek]

Sorry to introduce something as sordid as cash into this but it seems overpriced to me as well. I already have the Amsterdam Sibelius and two Mozart 40s (1955 & 64). For less than half the price you can get a 4-disc set of Szell conducting Haydn Symphonies (Sony) - excellent value and a musical treat.

A very fair point. I wouldn't have purchased it a couple of years ago but I had a promotion at work and have therefore been able to buy some items that I've long fancied but which were previously in the "too expensive" box.

[Dave2002]

From the Blue Book of the Bleeding Obvious: because it's very special and very rare!

Neither being live, or 40 years old, should necessarily effect any depreciation. And the price at HMV Japan isn't bad, £20 - £37 depending on the type of disc you want (CD, Blu-spec CD or SACD - but the CDs are pretty good; bear in mind you get 2 discs with a total time of ca. 84').

Interesting that you rate this so highly. I rate the Amsterdam version (presumably coupled with Beethoven 5) very much, so if this is up there too it must really be very special.

[Curalach]

Interesting that you rate this so highly. I rate the Amsterdam version (presumably coupled with Beethoven 5) very much, so if this is up there too it must really be very special.

It's very special for me. I heard Sibelius 2 performed in Edinburgh by the Cleveland and Szell the year before he died. It is without doubt the finest performance of the symphony I have ever heard, and I have heard countless performances over the years.
I immediately bought the Concertgebouw recording which is excellent but doesn't quite have the fire of the Cleveland.
When I became aware of the Tokyo recording I ordered it direct from Cleveland and I can certainly attest that it is the closest thing yet to the performance I heard in the Usher Hall. No Sibelius fanatic should be without it.
In the same Edinburgh Festival I heard the Berlin Phil conducted by HvK. Szell and the Cleveland Orchestra knocked them into a cocked hat!

[jayne lee wilson]

The Cleveland/Szell was one of the greatest partnerships; this Tokyo set is one the greatest legacies of that; So I can't see the HMV Japan prices for 2 discs as anything but appropriate. Surely price should reflect musical and sonic excellence, not just material value of a couple of discs?

Interesting that you rate this so highly. I rate the Amsterdam version (presumably coupled with Beethoven 5) very much, so if this is up there too it must really be very special.

[PJPJ]

By our standards CD/SACD prices in Japan seem very steep, more so if you get stung with import duty and inspection fees this end.

Coffee and cake in Oslo costs rather more than in UK cities.

[mathias broucek]

Coffee and cake in Oslo costs rather more than in UK cities.

If you think Oslo is expensive, try Stavanger. A pizza that costs £25 (!) in Oslo costs £35 in Stavanger..... (I realise this isn't the point you were making....)

On the subject of cost by country, Amazon US is way dearer than Amazon UK.