When I was young my band teacher asked what was your favorite music, I said, The Sleeping beauty & Swan lake. Everyone else said some rock/ pop music title! You are a rare bird- thank goodness you YOUNG guys are still out there.
The instrument on dance of the sugarplum faries is called Celeste or Celesta. I read that it was introduced to the public via Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker. It does sound amazing doesn't it? I am happy that you have discovered the joy of wonderfully recorded and performed classical music. You have enriched your life immeasurably.
Reiner was very much a major maestro for Living Stereo. But as a native New Englander with a certain Bostonian prejudice, I’m a fan of Charles Munch and the Boston Symphony Orchestra. He made many recordings for Living Stereo. His treatment of Debussy’s La Mer is a big favorite of mine.
Audio pioneer Paul Klipsch had appearance at local stereo shop. He brought original stereo test record made by Bell Labs from 30s. CDs were just coming out and someone asked his opinion of it. He said “Digital? Well since my host sells some, I’ll keep my opinion to myself “
Great choices young gentleman. I acquired all of these titles when first reissued . As an additional choose the Reiner with CSO in the Strauss waltz set , or perhaps you may have that . Happy listening.
Excellent review. And I liked the summary you did at the end (a good teaching technique). Also, I subscribed to your channel. Much respect to you from Larry.
RU-vid recommended this channel. Throughly enjoyable and informative video. I just ordered 2 of your recommendations from Acoustic Sounds. I already had the other 3 and agree with your review.
Nice to see a so young a collector getting into the hobby. I have the Original Decca pressed RCA’s Cat numbers start SB not LSC as they do with the US pressings. The best sounding records in my collection are the Original DECCA UK SXL 2000 series and Original white/gold label HMV ASD 3 digit series. Also checkout the Original Mercury Records from the US, fantastic sounding records. If you can’t get the Original Pressings then Analog Productions do a great job.👍😀
I have several releases of the Reiner "Scheherazade": a re-issue from the 90's (not sure of the label!), the CD and SACD and I did manage to find an original release. The later releases all sound more focused, a bit brighter, while the original is lusher...a trade off and I like them all. Love your videos, please keep them coming: your audience is growing!
Thank you for your refreshing evaluations and candid feedback on recordings and specific labels. I appreciate your down to earth perspectives without audiophile attitude. I recently turned off a video because the presenter’s personality was so off putting. Would you consider feedback on Telarc and their recordings? I am in Cleveland, where they were located. Good luck and cheers! 🤗🎼
I have an original pressing of Witches' Brew from 1958. It was a thrift store find. I paid $2.00 for it and it's in perfect condition!!! Both record cover and the vinyl!!! I listen to it occasionally. Very good album!!!!
Excellent common-sense over-view for philistines like myself that don't really know their way around the classical field. I see you have a copy of "Kind of Blue" on your shelf; a similar review of your jazz titles would be much appreciated I'm sure. Just subscribed; take care and thanks once again my friend
Thanks for this thoughtful run through this series. One of my faves, as well. Curious what other RCA Living Stereo reissues from AP you have found to be less-than-desirable (aside from 'The French Touch' as you mentioned). Many thanks.
So many of them are so good, but I would also rate the Mahler Symphony 4 conducted by Reiner to be a notch lower than their other titles. Definitely better than the french touch though
@@1770Vinyl I have that Mahler but can't remember the sonics. Need to pull it out and compare with some others from the series like the Scheherezade or the Stokowski Rhapsodies. Great channel - keep up the good content. Cheers from LA.
I read somewhere that the first Living Stereo recording was made in 1954 on the master tapes but wasn’t released in stereo until 1958 when playback units were available.
How could you leave off Pictures at an Exhibition with Reiner and the CSO? The CSO is in spectacular form on this one. Though I love Decca recordings and have many, I think the tip top for sound quality is the domestic RCA Living Stereo. There are so many great sounding recordings. Many on some underrated labels. Connoiseur Society, Vox, and Nonesuch to name a few.
Vox and Nonesuch had fantastic sounding titles and they cost next to nothing, I agree. Especially when the team Aubort/Nickrenz was responsible for the production, I have never heard a single bad recording they made.
The Analogue Productions LPs are well worth the expense. An outstanding one you omitted in the Saint-Saens third symphony with Charles Munch and the Boston Symphony, far better sounding than any CD reincarnations. The Reiner version of Scheherazade is a fresh approach to a superbly crafted yet somewhat overplayed work. Reiner, in his early seventies when he made the recording over 60 years ago, had never conducted Scheherazade before. RCA wanted him to do it.
I enjoyed your presentation. I have three of those Shaded Dogs in early run pressings as well as reissues, which do vary. I agree with your opinion of the recording quality but don't overlook some of the truly great Decca/Londons as well as other very fine recordings, like the early Mercutys.
I have some of these AP reissues and the original shady dog copies. I found that the shady dog copies have less deep bass and also a brighter treble? Any one has similar experience?
unfortunately, I live in Canada so I take the risk with ordering over AS and potentially getting a bad record. International sales require me to pay for shipping, which makes it unfeasible.
I've got Van Cliburn/Kondrashin Tchaikovsky piano concerto #1. Even though the cover looks like the original, it's Dynaflex. The label looks just like it's printed on a not-so-good machine. It sounds absolutely terrible. Water in my ears. Could you do a review of Mercury's Living Presence albums? I'm sure that your subscribers would be most interested. By the way, the twinkling in The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies is a celesta, new to Russia at the time. Mr. T. wanted to be the first displaying that instrument.
Stanley: The Van Cliburn Tchaikovsky #1 isn’t really representative of the high quality of the early Living Stereo releases. Moreover, you’ve got a circa 1970 pressing, which probably does not sound as good as a 1958 Shaded Dog. Cliburn made several Living Stereo discs in Chicago with Reiner and the conductor Walter Hendl, and those have better sonics.
I know that you are right. Sometimes Dynaflex sounds just fine. With the Cliburn re-issue it sounds pretty bad. I've given up trying to get a shaded dog. My current favorite is Ornandy and the Philadelphia Orchestra with Eugene Istomin. I weep at the beauty of the Philadelphia Strings, sometimes.
Dave Hurwitz should watch him! DH could also do his own talk on the Living Stereo series or another illustrious label of past times. Really great idea for a classical music talk.
"Living Stereo" was nothing but an advertising slogan RCA slapped arbitrarily on record jackets. Otherwise it wouldn't have been emblazoned on album jackets that included Decca "ffrr" classical recordings, "Living Strings" easy listening albums, and the worst sounding album of Sousa marches I have ever encountered: roaring tape hiss, shrieky highs and muddy midrange. (Too bad-- it's my favorite march album).
Edit: Not claiming that a particular "Living Stereo" recording won't sound great; just that the slogan on a record jacket is no guarantee of how the recording sounds or how it was recorded.
