Some rare records on Columbia, Decca and Deutsche Grammophon. Also, a fine book from 1913 detailing musicians of the day. My Instagram for what it's worth: / alan_static_traveller #classicalmusic #vinylcommunity #vinyl #records
So glad you found what SEEmingly you hadn't anymore ... 3 in ONE , just like the TRIUNE GOD OF THE BIBLE OF OUR FOREFATHERS. Don't sell out nor throw any away. Not ever Again... Shema?
It is hard to imagine today that there was once a time when classical records were a major percentage of all records being sold.......I don't see that happening again, unfortunately. Anyway, I always enjoy your classical records videos, Alan. Thanks. Jeff
The historical decline in classical music sales and the rise of rock and roll and all the kinds of music which followed, is probably a good indicator of what could be perceived as the decline in moral standards in society in general. But that's a whole other conversation....
It is because classical back then was seen upon as audiophile pressings. You couldn't just use whatever cartridge either, if I ain't mistaken? Many of those records say, only use high-class stylus'. On those Decca's e.g. lots of care went into the recording to try and get the very best they could out of the medium.
@@statictraveller I do not disagree with you, but offer a counterpoint. Music, increasingly, is available to all, for free. Freedom of expression. Freedom of choice. I could well imagine that these types of audiophile quality recordings and the equipment required for quality playback were well out of the reaches of the masses back then. Certainly most auction lots of audiophile quality classical collections seem to originate from the estates of deceased doctors, lawyers and bankers. Have moral standards declined? I would say certainly, amongst those whose roles are to lead us, govern us and guide us. The common folk seem to me to be just as common as ever, for good or bad. That lass in HMV browsing, or that lad downloading, the latest hiphop or pop music, is far more likely to be concerned with the environment and climate concerns than the kids of yesteryear. So yeah, I can kind of agree with you, but there is my alternative take 😊 My first musical exposure was Roxy Music, The Stranglers, The Jam, etc (to give an indication of my demographic). I am not into classical music, but have always been curious. It is something I always felt I should appreciate. I always found it difficult to find any resources to help guide me into it. I could not tell you what is the difference between a symphony and a concerto, but I curiously know just about everything about Wet Leg 😮 So, there is that too…. Maybe you need to cover more classical stuff? I would be up for that! Cheers.
@@mike_burke I actually was half joking when I wrote that... The classical records were not known as audiophile back in the day- just records. The introduction of stereo in the late 50s opened up a whole new world, but were necessarily only bought by the wealthy as most people didn't even have a stereo player until the late 60s and early 70s and equipment was very expensive. Moral standards appear to have declined in general, but really we are just as debased as we were 1000 years ago. People who govern are just people- no different from anyone else. They make mistakes and are not perfect. Does one have to be outstandingly moral before one becomes a leader? If so, there would be no-one to step up. Students and young people like to concern themselves with the big stories of the day- even if they know precious little of what they are supposed to be fighting for or against - but invariably grow up, get a job, start a family... I am fairly new (a few years) to classical music myself and am enjoying the learning as I go. In some ways, I am finding it more enjoyable to collect than the usual old rock stuff these days. I often get asked to produce more classical videos and like to share with people the labels and recordings to look out for. I have made a few if you trawl back through my videos. Anyway, thanks for the comment, Mike. I appreciate it. Cheers. Alan
@@statictraveller Hi Alan, I do not think leaders need to be outstandingly moral, I just think a lot of leaders in recent times have been outstandingly immoral. However! Let’s not get deep into all that. I am indeed going through your back catalogue, just now watched your Beethoven 5th video for a second time (the middle one wins for me). I might do a deep dive into just that one piece of music, see if I can get an proper understanding of how it all works and see where that takes me. Thanks for your reply! Cheers, Mike
I have a decent collection of around 450 records with around 50 of those mono recording, including several Toscanini. Instead of suffering the poor playback on my stereo turntable I picked up a 1984 Pioneer PL-400 from eBay for £120 and fitted a Grado mono cartridge also costing £120, so now I have two turntables, one for stereo records and one for mono. Much better!
You’re so right, it’s good to geek out on this stuff. I was telling my partner about the large tulip Deutsche Grammophon records in my collection but, sadly, I could tell it was lost on her.
That's a big question. Bach's cello suites, Goldberg Variations, St Matthew's Passion, Brandenburg Concertos. If you like Bach, then I recommend Haydn. Other great works: The symphonies of Sibelius (Berglund conducting) Beethoven (Klemperer or Karajan conducting), Holst's The Planets, Mahler's symphonies. The incredibly moving Richard Strauss' 4 Last Songs - the 3 best performances are with either Jessye Norman, Elizabeth Schwartzkopf, or Karajan's with Gundula Janowitz. There's a whole world of things to explore. Ultimately, it's whatever connects with you and moves you the most. Have fun!
Are Columbia light and dark blue early pressings so rare? They must be because I've so rarely seen them to the best of my memory. Unfortunately all the 78s I had as part of that huge job lot I got rid of all them as only have my portable cheapy with 78 speed on it. I'm at least starting to recognise some of the names but as to what is better or not so good pressings I'm flummoxed. The whole mono or stereo thing is confusing too. Are these big selling prices on discogs or elsewhere?
You can just look up the record catalogue number on discogs and see if they are valuable or not, like any other record. It is a minefield really. I just try to show the same few things to look out for. (Decca SXL Original Recording on label; large tulips on Deutsche Grammophon label; SAX code on Columbia albums). It can get a bit overwhelming. Might be best to stick with the 90s dance records, Martin. That's a whole load of minutiae and expertise that most people don't have right there!
I like the picture of Paddywhiskey...he reminds me of roger waters....musician with political inclinations...any pics of HOLST with a LIME GREEN Mohawk perchance?
Unfortunately, with so many quiet passages in Classical music, even vintage mint condition records without obvious defects will have occasional noise, clicks and pops, due to the poorer quality of the early vinyl. Later pressings made from the mid '60's onwards can actually sound better than the original.
Hi. Yes, and stereo stylus and arm technology were not what they are now, which might also have had an effect on the record surface. I still love playing them, though, and a little surface noise never hurt anyone: repetitive clicks and pops on the other hand....
Hi Alan. I found my first SAX Columbia today and of course had to tell someone! Amazingly it was in an Oxfam charity shop for 99 pence and definitely one that ‘got away’ from their record pricers. It’s SAX 2364 Klemperer Eroica and in beautiful condition, complete with EMI inner sleeve. As you can tell I was pretty excited to find it. It was a good haul in total with three Deutsche Grammophon LPs (though nothing extra special) and a Bach Archive Production one, something again that I’d never come across before. Okay I’ll calm down now.
Hi, Robert. You have done very well finding the SAX Columbia disc! I would be excited to find that! That is a particularly difficult one to come across. Very nice. 🙌 The Bach Archive album should sound fantastic, too. They are very well pressed records. Ah, it's a wonderful thing to have these deeply satisfying shopping days....
@@statictraveller Not long since finished playing it and it's wonderful, no pops, clicks or anything. Cleaning the Bach one however I see there's a scratch on one side that I can feel with my fingertip so perhaps not so lucky there but we'll see. If it is audible then I'm not as bothered to be honest as I'd have got it anyway if I'd noticed it in the shop (they're such a faff to get out of the folder) as I'd have liked it purely for the novelty of never having had one before. The assistant in the shop said that she'd sold quite a bit of classical vinyl today which made me wonder what else I'd missed out on....I'll go back on Thursday, just in case, as I'm back in work tomorrow.
On the subject of classical music books I recently picked up Rimsky Korsakov -my musical life written in 1923 now a Faber paperback . To be honest what prompted me was remembering that Rick Wakeman's book choice on Desert Island Discs was Principles of Orchestrations by Rimsky Korsakov! Should be interesting though.
That does sound interesting, Jim. I have been thinking of picking up some autobiographical books by composers myself recently. It would be good to read what they have to say rather than what a critic thinks for a change.
Hi Alan, we have all done that - a regretable sale of a rare record. But to find it again is unreal. You must live near the nicest lady in the UK, all I find is classical mono copies in okay condition. Nice book at the end. Cheers, Paul
Hi Paul. Yes, it was an amazing find to get it back- I didn't think I would see it again. It was kind of her to let me have her records, but the unfortunate circumstances meant the time had come. She was really happy they weren't going to end up as landfill.
Hi Gordon. Thank you very much for taking the time to watch and comment. I like to show just classical records sometimes and enjoy finding them much more than regular rock albums these days. Cheers, Alan
Astonishing finds. It’s always a joy finding a record that you got rid of again. I have that Tchaikovsky piece. Was just listening to Yepes on DG yesterday. You’re lucky to be in that part of the world, don’t see much SAX’s here mostly just London and Angel reissues (they still sound good). Always a joy to hear you speak classical. Do you have a current favorite piece? God bless
Thank you, Junior. One piece I have been surprised by recently is Robert Schumann's Dichterliebe, sung by Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau with Jörg Demus on piano. (It is on the shelf behind me in this video). It is a song cycle which is not something I would normally gravitate towards, but it has some simply sublime moments. I have considered making a video on it.
Paderewski was quite a guy. I lived for years in the Californian spa town where he bought a ranch after his music career, before he returned to Poland as a statesman. Among his other accomplishments, he was a pioneer in the wine industry in that state.
It's probably a UK record collector phrase. Under certain conditions, the polythene liners used in the 60s can cause a smearing and mottling effect on the records, which can be non-removable. Yes, the records produced here were generally of excellent quality, though I hear US collectors talk very highly of RCA Living Stereo releases. Thanks for stopping by.
I’ve been buying classical records for a few months now but, so far, it’s been early Decca/Philips/Columbia etc but mainly in mono (apart from later represses). I’m loving that I’m able to find these in charity shops or record shops for very little money and in great condition. I’d love to come across some of these great, early stereo ones but until then I’m loving how fabulous they sound, even the mono versions.
The early mono pressings can still sound marvellous, Robert. There are so many great records out there for cheap. It's a good job that they're not as popular as rock and jazz. At least for the time being....
Hi Hans. I don't give out my email address. I appreciate your offer, but I am not looking to buy at the moment. I hope you find a buyer soon. Kind regards, Alan
Great finds. I have "non-valuable" London and Angel versions of many of those British Decca and British Columbia LPs, but I do have the original, "big tulip", "red stereo" DG issue of the Tchaikovsky 6 with Mravinsky and the LPO from the dollar bins. That book is another great find.
Hi. The 'Made in England' UK pressings on US labels are a bargain in the States. The real value is in the music, of course, but it is a real thrill to find the sought-after rarities for cheap.
@@statictraveller Agreed. As you obviously know, in the collectible classical LP world, most of the rarities are from England, France and Germany, where the economies were depressed and still recovering from the war. Early classical LPs were produced in far smaller numbers than in the US. As I didn't live in Europe I didn't worry that I wasn't going to find European rarities and just collected for the music. Ironically, a few of my early American LPs, such as 1950s recordings by Leonid Kogan and Erica Morini on Westminster and Nathan Milstein on Capitol, and some of the less common of the early RCA Living Stereo series, did gain some value as collectibles. But these are not "rare" in the way your early European LPs are.
As you know I'm very very witty, an example of this is my standard comment on Dennis Brain playing Mozart records, - if you had a brain, you'd not buy any! Dennis had this visage or aroma of a camp serial killer. Rumour had it he dissolved his victims in his horn after having used his little horn on the carcass.
If I had half a brain, I would come up with a witty response to this. Fortunately, I have a whole brain and have wisely decided that I can't be bothered.
@@statictraveller Let's be frank, Dennis - the man who has caused shudders in vinyls diggers in charity shops in the UK since 1974 - may not have been blessed with the face one would want in ones proximity - but we'd both want to be known as principal HORN players for eternity!
Hey I’ve got a question, my grand father Deszo Ernster (an opera singer with a long career) was very close friends with Otto Klemperer. Going through my father’s things I’ve found an enormous amount of correspondence/information/photos/memorabilia of Otto. What should I do with it? I’m just now going through the enormous LP collection he had, just randomly checked a Klemperer album, and came on here to search selling classical music. And your video started with Klemperer. Big brother is listening 🤦🏼♂️🤣🤣👍🏻
Big Brother responding. It sounds like you have a very unique collection of memorabilia that the classical music world would be really interested in. I would be, but I can't afford it. I think you should sell it through a specialist music auction sale. It might be worth contacting one of the classical music magazines and asking them. Dave Hurwitz on RU-vid might be able to help. He uploads videos every day and is an expert with decades of experience.
Hah😆thanks for the reply Big Brother. Yes if nothing else I’d like it all to go somewhere that it can be seen and appreciated. As I go through it I can send some info if you’d like
The Brahms Violin Concerto is on Speakers Corner in stereo with the silver label, incidentally. The label really is lovely. That’s the only version I have of that one. Really enjoyed the video, thanks!
Thank you. Quite a number of people have said they value the classical videos. There are so many great records out there, and at least for the time being, it is possible to pick up some very nice ones for very good prices.
Would you be interested in buying from the inherited collection that O have. Of course I understand you may not give your email address for sending you the list. Is there a post address or may be email addtess at wor
Sweet! you found the stereo again! Dang happy for you, synced w you Alan, I’m leaving in a few and I pulled some classical guitar music to play in my car that I transferred from record....enjoyed the video as always .... have a wonderful weekend my friend- 🦊Lis
I don't regret getting rid of records often, but the Brahms one nagged a bit, probably due to the frequent reminders caused by owning the other two versions! I hope you have a lovely weekend too, Lis. Thanks for dropping by again.
Hi Alan. Great finds. I am always looking foreward to see new classical vinyl videos at your channel. These british pressings are wonderful. Many greetings. Reinhard ☺️
I love when you do these classical finds because it helps with my searches - trains my eye. I live in a sort of an academic triangle and classical can be abundant. It’s been a joy to learn.
Thanks, Rev. The more I get into buying classical records, the less appealing the regular rock finds become. The wealth of quality pressings, different recordings, beautiful sleeves, etc, is staggering. The huge histories of labels and their various releases is a geek's heaven. The learning is definitely a huge part of the fun of it. And so much of it can be found cheaply and fairly easily, too. It's a win win.
Alan, wonderful video. Donating money to that woman's church was a nice gesture. Dennis Brain is astounding, I have the Mozart piece paired with Strauss. Brahms and Ligeti's ''Horn Trios'' are both awesome listens. Love those old books with the rough edges.
Thank you, Michael. Finding these original 78s was very nice. There is something special in the sound of those old discs. Like you, I love those old period books too, though still gravitate towards the musty paperbacks. (Philistine)...
The rarer records like the ones shown here are becoming difficult to find for a good price. Later issues like 80s Deutsche Grammophon are easy to pick up cheap.
@@statictraveller Boxed sets of Classical LPs are insanely cheeep where i live. I got a set of The Budapest Quartet-Beethoven late Quartets for $2 at a Used store rummage sale, and just recently a DG box of LaSalle Quartet for a few bucks.
@@statictraveller i'm happy you understand french my ENGLISH IS pour! Your Channel IS discovery of the day, i'll be back , thanks again, i like all style JAZZ too , i'm 71 years old and i LISTEN since 1966 , my first record was THE WHO ( FRENCH EP " MY GENERATION, OF COURSE!)
@Rock And Roll No, not at all. Like most collectors, I sometimes sell records and thin out the collection here and there. Obviously, this just makes room for more records.....
