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Discs 1 to 5 are of recordings from the '30s and early '40s, and are probably all from acetates. The other six have recordings dating from the late '40s and 1950s, and tend to be from tape, as far as I can tell (so far). I am currently listening to the Debussy Images from 1948 and have no complaints about the sound quality considering the year. I fully expect the later recordings to be even better.
[There's a white hot 1919 Firebird Suite on the same disc.]
Discs 1 to 5 are of recordings from the '30s and early '40s, and are probably all from acetates. The other six have recordings dating from the late '40s and 1950s, and tend to be from tape, as far as I can tell (so far). I am currently listening to the Debussy Images from 1948 and have no complaints about the sound quality considering the year. I fully expect the later recordings to be even better.
Thanks for this. The unpredictability of the quality of transfers of old recordings is of course legendary with date of recording an often unreliable guide. Clearly, a case of 'too many variables Herr Mozart'!
Van Beinum made some of his best recordings in the late 1940's, and they had to wait until recently for reissue. Beethoven 2 comes to mind, Brahms 1, Mozart 29, all excellent. Them there's the Bartok Concerto for Orchestra and a first rate Elgar Cockaigne and Wand of Youth Suite. He rather missed out at the beginning of the stereo era, but there's a fine La mer and Nocturnes from 1958, and of course the Brahms Violin Concerto with Artur Grumiaux
I think that his Decca recording of the Sea Interludes from Peter Grimes must have been something of a best seller, even on 78s
I treasure all these and more.
Van Beinum was, of course, appointed Principal Conductor of the London Philharmonic Orchestra in January 1949, a felicitous appointment which sadly did not last the year due to ill health. However, he had recorded with the LPO since 1946 when he recorded Brahms 3rd Symphony and Haydn's 100th, his Military Symphony. He went on to record a number of works a few of which are included in the LPO label LPO-0011 - the world premiere recording of Malcolm Arnold, Beckus the Dandipratt; Mahler's Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen (with Eugenia Zareska); Beethoven's Leonora No 1; Brahms St Anthony variations and Elgar's Wand of Youth Suite No 2.
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The OM Volume 1 box is certainly still around albeit used http://www.amazon.co.uk/Recordings-1...sim_sbs_m_h__1 but they are getting fewer and farther between. Volume 2 which is also very good is now fetching stratospheric prices......
K.
Both volumes are now available as MP3s, though the pro rata price for volume 2 is much higher. I don't see why downloads at comparable prices can't at least be made in 16 bit formats to be compatible with the CDs. OK - it might reduce the value of some second hand originals a bit, but why should that concern the recording company? Some might argue that the sound quality on older recordings might not merit anything better than MP3, but I suspect that some older recordings could come up very well in 24 bit formats, and should at the very least be made available in 16 bit download formats if the CDs are no longer to be available.
He certainly puts fire into Grumiaux in their Brahms concerto recording. I have largely found Grumiaux a little too cool and perfect in romantic repertoire but not here .
He certainly puts fire into Grumiaux in their Brahms concerto recording. I have largely found Grumiaux a little too cool and perfect in romantic repertoire but not here .
Talking of Brahms Beinum recorded the Symphonies on Philips in the late 1950s - would make a good set on Australian Eloquence!
Whenever I've ordered from Japanese sellers via Amazon UK I've never been charged extra for customs.... just the price as stated on the page... my usual sellers are Japan-Select and Samurai Media - never failed me yet. Does anyone have a different experience?
I only get charged for customs/parcelforce admin when buying direct from HMV Japan, US Independent retailers etc...(i.e importing the goods myself).
(Never gotten around to a focus on Van Beinum yet, must send memo to self...the Bruckner always reviews well...)
Whenever I've ordered from Japanese sellers via Amazon UK I've never been charged extra for customs.... just the price as stated on the page... my usual sellers are Japan-Select and Samurai Media - never failed me yet. Does anyone have a different experience?
I only get charged for customs/parcelforce admin when buying direct from HMV Japan, US Independent retailers etc...(i.e importing the goods myself).
(Never gotten around to a focus on Van Beinum yet, must send memo to self...the Bruckner always reviews well...)
In that case my wallet may be about to lighten...
May need to prioritise some of the Celi on Altus, however
Given what you've said before about your taste for what might be called "lean beef" Bruckner and Brahma, I suspect you'd like Van Beinum's Bruckner
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