RCA Living Stereo Vinyl - Lt. Kije and Song Of The Nightingale - Reiner
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 29 ก.ย. 2024
- This is a brief survey of the many editions I own of RCA Living Stereo LSC-2150, featuring Prokofieff's Lieutenant Kije and Stravinsky's Song Of The Nightengale by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra conducted by Fritz Reiner.
This is a three track stereo recording originally done in 1958 by recording engineers Richard Mohr and Lewis Layton. Included here are an original Shaded Dog label RCA pressing from Indianapolis, the Chesky reissue mastered by Jack Adelman, Classic Records 33 and 45 versions mastered by Bernie Grundman, and the Analogue Productions reissue mastered by Ryan K Smith.
The Analogue Productions reissue is currently in print and is available exclusively Acoustic Sounds and other fine retailers.
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Some other classical videos of interest:
Living Stereo Overview Video -
Golden Age Classical Records - Analogue Productions RCA Living Stereo
• Golden Age Classical R...
Living Presence Overview Video-
Golden Age Classical Records - Mercury Living Presence Hi-Fi Stereo
• Golden Age Classical R...
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@acousticsoundsks
Thanks Mr Wilson, I really hope your channel catches on and expands, yours' has great content !
Kudos Sir . . .
Thank you so much, Micheal, for the encouragement. I'm feeling positive and really enjoy doing it. Thank you for watching!
I don’t know what pressing I have of the Prokofiev’s LT. Kije album with Reiner and the CSO, I paid 4 bucks. I’ll have to take a look, then I’ll watch this video again so I can identify it. All of the CSO albums to me are startling, especially in the Tchaikovsky Pathetique album with 1812. I do notice that when I listen to the CD versions there is more distortion. Especially when the brass opens up.
Very interesting video. Up until now, I only have a thrift store copy of the 70s RCA repress and I've never really responded to it. Maybe I need to get a better pressing! Please keep up the great work and thank you for sharing your collection with us. Not too many people have all those pressings to compare!
Thank you for watching and commenting. My particular 70's pressing sounded harsh in the breads and strings. Climaxes lacked ultimate dynamic slam. I can see why you wouldn't be too moved by it. Based on what I heard here, keep an eye out for a decent shaded dog or go for the new one. It's significantly better than the 70's reissue for sure and sounds the best on a modern set up.
The words you use to describe the difference in the album’s is well done. I completely understand what you mean in terms of sound. I really find it interesting.
Thank you, I'm so glad the video is being discovered by true fans of this wonderful series. Your insight is always welcome here!
I'm a classical collector, and I definitely understand the inconvenience of having to change sides for a single piece. I have purchased the 45 for Scheherazade and that really blew me away, so there's certainly a case for doing so. Curious now about the Prokofiev/Stravinsky 45 from Classics you brought up, but I'll try the AP 33 first. Thanks
Thank you for your comment. My Classic 45 of Scheherazade is another stunner and really comes to life not only on the fabulous last section but throughout the softer sections as well. The 45s are fun when you want to focus on a specific part in demonstration quality. Where on the 33, musical climaxes are often at end of side, and compressed as a result, the 45s open up those parts because of the abundance of space to let the full dynamics shine. Side four of Scheherazade shows this in spades. Lt. Kije and Song of the Nightengale benefit as well.
Great video Scott! Of those 4 titles you mentioned that AP made in 2LP/45/RKS, what’s your opinion comparing against the Classic Records 4LP/single sided/BG pressings?
(The AP Royal Ballet 5LP/45 box was pressed using the BG lacquers from the Classic Records 9LP/single sided/45.)
Hi David, I've yet to try one, but I'm very tempted. The only one I don't have in a Classic 45 is Stokowski Rhapodies. I've been thinking of getting one of the other titles to compare to what I do have, but I have 2 45 sets of Royal Ballet already on Classic. I think it would have to be between Pines, Pictures or Scheherazade of I did one.
Scott- do you have SONG OF THE NIGHTINGALE on Mercury Living Presence? That’s no slouch either. Great dynamics! Not sure which I like more. I think it was reissued by Speakers Corner.
Eric, I don't think I do, not in the original series. I assume it was Dorati? I may have in a golden imports, but now that I think of it I can picture the jacket on the old cd edition I used to own. Why oh why did I let go of those I'll never know!
Reiner's benchmark recording of Stravinsky's Song of the Nightingale was recorded 67 years ago today November 3, 1956.
Benchmark is a great word for it! Not equalled to my knowledge! Thanks for the reminder.
Listen to the Charles Munch Boston - Daphne and Chloe - explosive
I will be covering that when it comes back into stock. I do have the Classic 33 and 45 and you're right - it has some explosive moments among other sonic beauty. Next up though will be The French Touch!
Great inspiring review as always - I have purchased the new AP version based on this video and am really looking forward to listening to it this coming week-end as I have never heard the music. Really like the videos and the way they inspire to search out new music and versions of records. Great work Scott Best regards from Norway
Thank you so much for watching and for your trust in my recommendations! I am absolutely certain you will love this record. It's one of the very best from AP and has a superb program of very interesting music with sonic that will delight you! Good choice! Please let me know how you like it once you've had a chance to spin it! Take care,
Scott
@@ThePressingMatters Hello Scott - hope all is well at your end. I really liked it. Sounds beautiful, dynamic and powerful and the music is of course very beautiful. I can totally stand by your review and can recommend this to anyone who loves music and great sounding recordings. Thinking of getting some more of the Living Stereos from AP, but have to choose wisely as the are very expensive in Norway (80-90 USD for a 33 rpm single record). Would you consider doing a top 5 or top 10 recommendation of your personal favorites from this series as a sort of buyers guide? Best regards, Espen
@@espenleira95 That's great news! I'm so glad you like this one. Thank you for getting back to me with your impressions of it. I will do a top five at some point. I'm ordering a few more this month, so watch for the new videos.
Thank you for an excellent and informative video
Thank you for watching! I'm glad you enjoyed this!
Scott:
My copy of this marvelous LP arrived today. To describe it as sonorous is an understatement. The climaxes on this LP are simply stunning, the hairs on the back of my neck stood up. I would say the dynamic range of this record exceeds any of the 20 Living Stereo pressings in my collection that I can think of. A public service announcement: The LP starts out softly and there are so many subtle micro details you can hear, the temptation is to turn it up. Resist the temptation to turn it up. A couple minutes in there is a sudden climax that almost blew me through the back wall of my listening room. The opening passage is meant to be played softly.
This was a perfect pressing, dead flat, dead centered and dead quiet. As I typically do, I had cleaned it with my UCM and played it through my Sugar Cube click and pop remover. There was no rumble or tape hiss that I could hear at least at normal volume - I will say when I first began playing Side One with the volume too high, there was a minute amount of tape hiss.
The sound stage on this record was truly awesome and huge. It appeared to extend far beyond the side walls, rear wall and ceiling of my listening room. It did not appear to extend very far in front of my speakers. A foot or two at the most. At times the sound appeared to swirl around as the different sections of the orchestra came in and out. Loud or soft, the sound was always detailed and you could distinctly hear the instruments. You could clearly hear where they were located within the orchestra. There wasn’t as much bass extension as some of the other Living Stereo LPs. What bass there was to be heard was always clear and never muddy. The highs were detailed and never strident on my system, but I could tell several passages that might cause problems on other systems that were voiced differently. The sound was everything Scott said it was, he described it very accurately for my ears and my system.
The other thing that interested me was although I thought I was unfamiliar with these pieces, the were several brief passages on each side that were familiar to me. I have heard them used as background music somewhere before. As soon as I heard them, I knew what was coming next at least for a short time more.
Again, go easy on the volume until you experience the extent of the powerful climaxes on the LP. Your speakers and your hearing will thank me.
Hi Jim, what a great write-up on your experience with this record. I was smiling as I read it because I too had the level a bit higher than needed for Lt Kije and was surprised at the power of the first climaxes. Song of The Nightingale is full on power from the start. So glad you picked this one up, just a classic in so many ways!
@@ThePressingMatters I felt like the guy in the old classic Memorex commercial getting blasted back in his chair by the intense sound. "Is it Live or is it Memorex?" This LP is such a revelation. I did not file it in my library yet, because I am going to have to experience it several more times before it is safe to put it away.
@jfm0830 Thats the image I pictured when you mentioned being blown away. I think I'll give it another listen when I get home!
Hi Jim, I did give Side One a spin last night, with the Hana ML installed. Even at 10 hours, this side was an absolute joy to hear. The first few minutes with the snare drums, piccolo, and low brass blew me away, never mind the climax.
Thanks for another great Living Stereo post! I'll play my SACD copy tonight and think about trying out the AP 33. From what you said about the Classic 45, it sure makes me curious if AP will add more LS titles to their 45 run.
Your welcome Jason, my pleasure to do these! Do you have any yet from the series on vinyl?
@@ThePressingMatters Yes, apart from a few originals and Classics editions, so far I have the Copland and The French Touch on vinyl. I have most of the series on SACD, which was easier on the budget when I started to really dive in.
I have the French Touch on the way to me and I can't wait.
Several people have recommended the Copland - I have an original and it's nice but I guess the new one is exceptional.
I have all the BMG Sony SACDs sitting, awaiting a disc player!
Wondering if you have heard Lionel Hampton "Live At the Apollo Hall Concert 1954? What I find interesting about vinyl, is its' ability to transport you back in time. This is a fantastic encapsulation of a moment in music history. The enthusiasm of the the orchestra is something else altogether and Hamp really feeds off the energy of the audience and gives it right back. Love you hear your comments.
Keep up the compelling content !
Hi Micheal,
Thank you for this interesting comment! I have not heard this album and will search and see if I can stream it. What you say about vinyl and particularly live recordings from this period, really is how I feel about them too. In my recent case, I was playing Belafonte at Carnegie Hall quite a bit after his recent passing, and I did feel absolutely transported. That is a very fine stereo recording and hearing it on vinyl just is so involving. I feel as if I'm right there. A wonderful thing to experience that with our records, and it makes the pursuit of higher fidelity even more worthwhile. Great comment, and thanks for the tip on Lionel Hampton!
@@ThePressingMatters My Pleasure, look forward to your next teaching moment !
Here's Lionel back in 1954 ~ enjoy - th-cam.com/video/O32TW-xtP9s/w-d-xo.html
@@MichaelDavitt1 That was great! I need that! Sounds amazing!
I assumed AP were generally cutting with the old Classic Records stampers mastered by BG, but it sounds like they have been using some new remasters .
Yes, most are new cuts by Ryan Smith, though in a few cases they have gone back to the original Classic mastering done by Bernie Grundman. Either way, an impressive achievement. The results speak for themselves!
@@ThePressingMatters I listened to my friends LSC 2449 1/s and the Classic 33 today. The 1s has a slightly sweeter midband and air to it, but the Classic had warmth and air too, and a tad more bass.
@@JustFortheRecord66 Those early LSC pressings do have that special quality. All the audiophile pressings strive to capture it but can only get close. Yet the reissues excel elsewhere. This is the dilemma for collectors. Still a wonderful recording, one of the top Living Stereo records, and always a joy to hear no matter which pressing!
I never owned an RCA Red Seal label record I ever liked. Totally inferior sound and lousy vinyl quality. At least that's been my experience.
I respect your experience. Keep in mind though there are many variations on each pressing during the heyday of the Shaded Dog era and later. I don't quite understand about the vinyl quality part of your comment. Perhaps you were not able to score Indianapolis pressed records. Some of the other plants, especially Hollywood did have inferior pressings.
When you say inferior sound, what are you comparing it to? Decca or EMI?
Thank you for watching the video.
I collected a lot of Tomita albums and I remember other artists from that label I collected (I think Julian Bream was on that label too). Every LP I had from RCA was a sonic disappointment to me.
For comparison, I used to buy plenty of half-speed mastered and direct-to-disc album of artists from various genres and recording labels. Red Seal albums I bought had terrible surface noise, poor audio dynamics and "cheesy" vinyl quality.
Any of those artists that I had on Red Seal vinyl that I eventually obtained the digital version of only highlighted the differences between the two recordings.
I was a much younger man back then so I didn't pay much attention to which pressing plant it came from.
I was never much enamoured with RCA as an electronics company either. Back in the mid-seventies, I used to work in a TV show and repaired my fair share of RCA televisions. Quality was subpart compared to companies like Zenith and Panasonic.
Even RCA's proposal for stereo radio was laughable, with one channel being transmitted in AM and the other in FM.
I also recall RCA's push for Dynaflex pressings which didn't really seem to solve the problems they claimed they did.
I understand other people can have different experiences but personally, RCA hardware and records never impressed me.
@@n.miller907 it sounds like you were trying things from a slightly later period. Most of what I'm talking about came earlier 1959-1964 or so. Quality took a dive in the later 60's and early 70's and never really recovered. Still, even the best early classical records aren't perfect. Many prefer the imported Decca and UK recordings and particularly pressings.
Yes, I have to agree with you there. The early RCA company had a lot more emphasis on quality in the early days. At least by the late 60s, there seemed to be drop in quality and creative "juices" from them.
I do remember as a two year old child, playing color-coded 45 rpm records. I still have the first iteration changer player they came out with in 1949. It's sitting in my basement, waiting for the day I start to refurb the player. 😋
I didn't start buying classical records until the early 70s, and don't have any experience with the older ones. All I know is that I spent a fortune on high quality pressings throughout the 70s and 80s and those were not from RCA.
I've got one DVD-V surround sound classical disc that's so clear, I can actually hear the creak of a wooden chair, which must have come from a musician in the orchestra shifting in his seat! 😅
That's a level of clarity I've never hear on vinyl. (I can't justify buying a $3,000 phono cartridge to even approach that level of clarity from my sound system.)
Anyway, I'm happy I found your channel. You definitely have a passion for recorded music.
Nice review of all the variations. I have all 4 plus a WD copy of 2150, and have to say I would concur with your findings.
Thank you! Sometimes the White Dog label pressings can be superb. The magic is still there. I actually may have one that I put in my vault because of condition not being up to snuff. Thanks for checking this one out!
Musically, this is one of the best Living Stereos. Even people who don't care for classical think Lieutenant Kije is really beautiful music. There's even a little saxophone in it. Both Prokofiev and Stravinsky had jazz influences in their music. But that's about all they had in common musically. Prokofiev once said that "Igor Stravinsky never had a good musical idea in his life." They might have been competing. Profiev is so accessible and Stravinky's music is so different and unique that even after a few listens you won't know if you like it. If you're like me, by about the fourth listen, you will. Prokofiev did many piano concertos and piano centerpieces. Stravinsky often used the piano in the background for color and flavoring. As accessible as the Prokofiev is on one side; the Stravinsky is just the opposite, but I do think I remember finding it at least interesting on first listen. It is a real nice piece of music. An unusual pairing by RCA, with two competitors on the same disc.
I believe the Lt. Kije was featured in RCA's early set Stereo For The Joy Of It. That shows that RCA thought a lot of it. There was another non-classical Stereo For The Joy Of It set. The ultimate version of Lt. Kije could well be the 2 track Living Stereo reel tape. In an old issue of TAS, Harry Pearson compared the original lp with the 2 track tape in an feature article. He liked the 2 track tape the best. If the original has been improved upon, it is really one worth getting. The music is really great.
RCA also used Lt.Kije in at least one of their Living Stereo introduction films. They though it demonstrated the new medium effectively. It sure does!
@@ThePressingMatters One time I was playing the Stravinsky side in my bedroom and I noticed my mother had a visitor when I looked into the living room. "What music is that? Is that the music from Psycho (the movie) they asked? For some reason I said "Yah Psycho."
I can picture the exact part of the score they probably heard. You should have said it's an oriental fairytale and really blew their minds!
@@ThePressingMatters I saved a syllable, "It's Stravinsky" would have been four syllables. Petrouchka is probably the Stravinsky that I slap on the most. So atmospheric in places.
There was older 60ish guy on America's Got Talent last night who sounded like he could have taught Jimi Hendrix a few things on the electric guitar. Nobody could believe it.
I had to laugh at "Stravinsky never had a good musical idea in his life"!!!!
Sounds jealous to me!
I really enjoy the 1s/1s shaded dog and really prefer the airy midrange it has, like the best shaded dogs have (likely due to the Westrex 2b cutting head used).
I've got several different matrix variations of this but the one in the video is my best condition copy. I may have a 1S in the vault. Are you saying the 1S is cut different that other shaded dogs, or that it just happens to have that airy midrange. I believe mine has an airy quality as I noted, but maybe the 1S is superior. At any rate these early shaded dogs do have a magic about them that is impossible to duplicate.
@@ThePressingMatters all the lacquers for all 4 RCA pressing plants were cut at RCA studios in NYC. The first Lacquer 1S 1S would almost always to go the RCA Indy plant. The RCA Indy plant was arguably the best RCA pressing plant. The 2S 2S would normally go to Rockaway, NJ, the 3S 3S to Hollywood, 4S 4S to Toronto ON. If sales were really good for a given title, then the cycle would be repeated.
@@mcgjohn22 I always pick up Indy pressings if I have the choice. Hollywood is my least favorite. I love the physical record they put out at Indianapolis. Audiophile quality in weight finish and sound!
@@ThePressingMatters The RCA Indy plant was the best pressing plant in the US (IMO). Columbia, Capitol and other US labels had no pressing plant that could hold a candle to Indy. What is ironic is all the other RCA plants received lacquers from the same source as Indy, but they were 2nd or 3rd best compared to Indy. Indy also pressed all the first run FR series of Mercury records and did private label pressing for other companies. Sometimes I have been surprised when I read the matrix on a given record and find out RCA-Indy pressed it. My sonic expectations usually go up accordingly.
A great example of this are the Readers Digest Classical boxes custom pressed by RCA. I often bought multiples and the Hollywood and Rockaway pressings would be second tier compared to the beautiful Indy pressings.
Both of these pieces of music are missing from my modest collection and I must rectify that. My first knowing of the existence of Lieutenant Kije was finding out that Greg Lake used part of the Troika theme in his hit single, I Believe In Father Christmas, one of my favourite Christmas related pop songs.
Hi Robert!
I never have heard that Greg Lake track but I will check it out. I didn't talk specifically about Lt. Kije, but I've always loved it in this recording and for years I only played Kije and didn't pay attention to side two! Both pieces are spectacular and the engineering on this record is in the top tier of the Living Stereo catalog. It really is a must have.
@@ThePressingMatters Good morning, Scott.
It was a hit over here and has become something of a Christmas standard since, although it’s a cynical look at Christmas .. I love it. I’m intrigued by the Stravinsky piece so I’ll stream it and hope it pops up at one of the shops I haunt, failing which I’ll resort to Discogs.
I’d love to find a copy of this!!! Shaded dogs. I want. I want. 😢😢😢 I have the cd, but I want a vinyl copy. I want my hair to stand on end! Having the 45s - wow. I wanna be rich!!!
Lol! I have some VG copies in my vault I think. I'll see if I can dig one up for you!
Lol! I have some VG copies in my vault I think. I'll see if I can dig one up for you!
@@ThePressingMatters you need to send me a box - I love your Living Stereos! Hey, I’m awaiting your live stream. Exciting. I don’t often get to join these.
Oops. It’s a video premiere not a livestream. Lol. Still watching.
One day we'll do a livestream. I need to practice first!
I manage a fb page devoted to RCA Living Stereo
Cool I think I may be a member, but not often have time to check in. What is the name of it. I'd love to join if I haven't.
Is it RCA Victor Living Stereo Records?
Please feel free to share this video in your group. That would be so cool to get it to the right people. I refrain from reposting my own content myself, but if it's ok with you I will.
This isn't Tom Port is it? What's the most I can get for Tchaikovsky Suites on Mercury, both lps still sealed in plastic?
Tom will give you $5.00 and sell it for $300! Just kidding, if you mean the one with the seagull on the cover it's not worth much at all -
Hi Steve. I picked this up, sound-unheard, based on your recommendation and my experience with AP/QRP pressings of RCA LS titles.
And, WOW. The trifecta: brilliant music, astounding performance, and ****ing RIDICULOUS sound quality. Best $40 I’ve spent in a long while.
I enjoyed your detailed comparisons of the different pressings. Happy to know the one I have is a good one.
It really is amazing and wonderful that so many of the RCA LS titles are available from AS/QRP with killer sound quality for reasonable prices.
Thanks for the video!
Warm regards,
Ron
Hi Ron,
This comment makes me so happy! I love it when a recommendation really hits the mark! What an awesome record and trust me you have the best of the best with the AP. Glad you took a leap of faith. Musically it's just amazing, both sides are very special. One of my favorites from Reiner CSO.
Thank you,
Scott