RIPE for REISSUE Part 2: Great Sounding Classical Records in Need of Audiophile Reissue - Decca etc.
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 4 ก.พ. 2025
- Inspired by the success of the Deutsche Grammophon Original Source Series of superb vinyl reissues mastered and cut directly from the 4 and 8-track analogue master tapes, I ask the question:
"What if the other great classical labels - EMI, Decca, Columbia/CBS, RCA, Mercury - could do the same? Would they?"
Join me on a deep-dive into my collection as I select a treasure-trove of outstanding classical records from the 1950s to the 1970s that would all benefit from new AAA, audiophile vinyl reissues.
Read my companion articles in trackingangle.com:
Part 1:
trackingangle....
Part 2: trackingangle....
For a full index of all my articles at trackingangle.com, just click on my name and a full list of all the titles will appear.
You can follow me on instagram: / music_on_record
Recommended channels for classical music fans and collectors:
The Ultimate Classical Music Guide by David Hurwitz
/ @davesclassicalguide
Poetry On Plastic
/ @poetryonplastic
Flowering Spikes
/ @floweringspikes
The most recent Classical Bums livestream:
www.youtube.co...
An invaluable guide to all the different pressings of the main classical labels:
www.youtube.co....
Another excellent resource for new classical recordings is BBC Radio 3's long-standing weekly broadcast "Record Review". Shows remain available to listen to for 30 days after first broadcast:
www.bbc.co.uk/....
My system, which has evolved over 20-plus years, is tube based and many pieces were acquired used. It was mostly put together with the invaluable help and ears of Eliot Midwood at Acoustic Image (acousticimage.com) who is also responsible for many of the fine recordings on the Yarlung label.
Well-Tempered Classic Turntable (round motor)
Micro-Benz Ruby 2 MC Cartridge
Phonostage: Zesto Audio Andros Spirit
Cary Audio CD/SACD 306
Preamp: Kora Equinoxe
Amps: Genesis Monoblocks 60 Amp Valve
Speakers: Silverline Sonatas with upgraded crossover and tweeters (Dynaudio)
Cabling: Aural Symphonics
Custom-made stands, with a Townshend Seismic Sink for the Well-Tempered turntable
I agree that it's a shame that Mercury spent so much resources on digital vinyl. I tried one and didn't care for it at all. That catalog has enough clout with audiophiles and music lovers that an AAA reissue program would do well. Imagine those beautiful jackets and stunning recordings done with the best of today's resources! Even if a whole series isn't financially viable, a few select titles a year would be most welcome.
That EMI hasn't done much in the arena is a crime. Testament was a step in the right direction, HiQ not so much.
Couldn't agree more. Oh Mercury - what on earth is going on (or rather not going on)! Warner is sitting on a gold mine re. EMI back catalogue. Just imagine all those 70s quadraphonic titles getting the Original Source treatment....!! "Gasp!"
Oh my, you had me running to my collection to retrieve many of these records to reclean, resleeve, and listen again before placing them in my permanent collection. You are so eloquent in describing why these are so special. Thank you so much for these videos.
Isn't it great when we can go back into our collections and find awesome stuff! I am so lucky that I was growing up in UK at the time so many of these came out and I just bought them because I simply wanted the records. As a teenager!!! Of course later on it wasn't so simple - one had to track these things down.... So happy this has sent you back into your collection...
You make the most beautiful videos
Thank you Mark for a great couple of videos , let’s hope some get reissued :)
Yes indeed!
Crazy. Just found several online. Really reasonably priced. Because of you my classical section has grown… thank you. Working on the Beethoven cycle now. One found on cassette Böhm conducting
I'm so glad I came across this! So many old favourites...and as it started with Decca, I wondered if you would mention Lyrita! One of my all-time top labels - not only for excellent performances of out-of-the-way repertoire, but 'audiophile' quality sound from the prominent Decca producers and engineers of the time (Richard Itter never put the identity of the recording crew on his sleeves...but many are identified on sites such as Discogs). The John Dunkerley engineered ones, some of the best.
I was 'in the trade' as it were as the owner of a classical specialist record (and CD!) shop. I phoned Richard Itter occasionally when we put together our mail order newsletter, so as to be able to include an advert for up and coming new releases....he was always friendly and helpful - bearing in mind he didn't always want 'the competition' to know what was 'in the can'!.
When Lyrita ceased Lp production I bought their complete Lyrita stock - mostly Nimbus remastered and pressed copies - and this is the basis of my own collection (around 100 titles - incl. Arnolds Dances SRCS 109...I had several copies of this, I would have happily sent you one!). BTW I much prefer the Nimbus represses over the Decca New Maldon ones....and these to me ARE the 'audiophile' ones! Apart from the ones I took to replace/complete my collection, the rest were send to a dealer in NY...He sold them at $80 - a lot at the time.
Apart from the Arnold and Holst SRCS 34, my favoutites are the Lennox Berkeley series, especially SRCS 74 Str Ser. etc. the Bax 6th (SRCS 35, consecutive to the Holst!) and the Alwyn syms. Finzi of course........
I still see S/H copies of the Holst SRCS 34 in the Paris shops I rummage when over there, this is because Peter Walker of Quad (I still use his electrostatics) chose it to demonstrate his speakers at the Paris HiFi show when it was a new release......sometimes a shop hasn't a copy of 'The Planets', but has this!!
Lovely to hear your thoughts and memories! Interesting that you think the Nimbus re-pressings are superior - I've been debating which version of the Arnold to go for - and you are confirming what I've heard from a number of sources. Record rummaging in Paris - bliss. I recall going to an amazing record shop near the Centre Pompidou in the early 1980s - I wonder if it is still there...
@@musiconrecord6724 Although I prefer Nimbus remasterings and pressings generally, some titles I have in Decca pressings are fine....in fact my sole remaining Arnold Dances is a (later) Decca one such! I'm not sure this title was remastered and pressed by Nimbus (all the ones I saw were Decca) Edit. Nimbus did press the Arnold, there are at least two on eBay! - by the way I retired to a cottage on the Wales/England border just three miles from Wyastone Leys, Nimbus's magnificent HQ and where the remastering is now done, under the watchful eye of Mike Clements! I think a few 'audiophile' editions of the best Lyrita titles would sell well, don't you?
As for Paris I haven't been since Covid...my wife used to work occasionally just outside Paris, and I often accompanied her on a freebie! My happy-hunting-grounds included Jussieu Classique in Rue Linné (5th arr.), one in Rue de la Roquette near Bastille and one just behind the Pantheon off Rue St Jacques...oh, and in the very early days there was a little record shop in Rue des Anglais(!) just off Boul. St Germain - this became celebrated after Truffaut shot scenes there in one of the 'Antoine Doinel' films...'Baisers Volés' I think. During this period I was hunting down rare French repertoire!
Loved these two videos. Some stellar recommendations and a lot of homework for me to do in catching up on unfamiliar works. Clever song choice at the ending montage :)
Thanks Michael! Always happy to point you in new directions (requiring new spending!!!) I knew exactly what piece of music I wanted, but couldn't for the life of me remember what it was. Even sang it into Shazam!!! Eventually remembered.....!!!
Thank you Mark! Like you said Philips might not be an audiophile label.. however, label contains some incredible sounding albums.. It would be amazing to see some reissues.. ❤️🎶🙏🏻
AGREED!!
I really enjoy your videos.
Thanks for watching and commenting!
Zubin Mehta on Decca: Also Sprach Zarathustra, The Planets, Pictures at an Exhibition and, above all, "Turandot" with Sutherland, Pavarotti, Caballe and Ghiaurov. As one of your TH-cam colleagues might say, that is definitely among "the greatest recordings EVAAAAH!!"
Lyrita: Alwyn's "Lyra Angelica" harp concerto. Gorgeous music, conducted by the composer, in utterly gorgeous sound.
As for ASMF/Marriner on Argo: how COULD you forget their game-changing recording of Vivaldi's "The Four Seasons"?! 😀
Ah yes that Turandot - spectacular! I have that Lyrita Alwyn - almost mentioned it. As for The Four Seasons - I kinda wanted to go a little off the beaten path, but it IS marvelous and I still play it often.
Great Twofer! 😉Thanks. I was particularly pleased to see the mention of the RCA series The Classic Film Scores. Fantastic music, fantastic recordings abnd sound (Tonmeister was often Kenneth Wilkinson, one of the best!). For reissue I would also like to suggest the recordings of the music of Roberto Gerhard on Lyrita (Violin Concerto, Symphony No. 4) and on Decca "The Plague", this one conducted by Antal Dorati!
Gerhard The Plague - now you're talking!!! I don't know that Lyrita record - will investigate...
I applaud the added cat content.
Ah - someone who appreciates what's really important!!!!! Thanks!
Great videos! You’re a wealth of knowledge and wonderfully articulate. I have all three Mercury Living Presence box sets and I have to say they did an excellent job. Although from digital files, they sound terrific to my ears. I have some of the originals and comparing them, this set does not come up short. There is not a trace of digititis. The pressings are invariably flat and centered and extremely quiet. Just one man’s opinion.
I also have many Golden Imports which I believe have been unfairly criticized and which were from the master tapes with somewhat different equalization. Yes, some might have slightly less bass than the originals but this, in no way, diminished my enjoyment. And, of course, the Dutch pressings are very quiet. It’s a great way to get many of Mercury’s recordings remastered all analog for considerably reduced prices.
That's really good to know re. the Mercury. Maybe I'll give them a go... there are certainly some great titles contained within, though some duplication with previous AAA reissues I already own. Yes, the Golden Imports are an excellent way to go, albeit variable in quality - but they are usually dead cheap in the used bins, and often much quieter pressings.
I really enjoy content with classic LP's. I have a few of these and, like you, wonder why they haven't been given much love so to speak. That Boulez "Miraculous Mandarin" is one of my go-to recordings of the work...stunningly recorded and absolutely brutal. And the Boulez "Ameriques" and "Arcana"...yes, please. The Herrmann discs are simply stunning; Wilkinson's engineering is simply phenomenal. "Salaambo's Aria" with Kiri Te Kanawa is a system-destroying recording; the impact of the bass drum couldn't be bettered in modern recordings. Have you heard Paray's "Mass for the 500th Anniversary of the death of Joan of Arc" on Mercury? It's amazing; I don't have an original LP but I have the CD issue; recorded in October, 1956 in 3-track and it's amazing Bob Fine was able to pick up the soloists in balance with the orchestra. I vividly remember listening to the CD through headphones right after I purchased the disc in the early 90's; I was in bed and drifting off to sleep and the Kyrie started and there is an fff crash on the tam-tam that sent me flying out of bed!
The remasterings on the Boulez Columbia CD box set are superb, revealing just how great the masters of these records truly are. Yeah, the Bartok and Varese are crazy great! As are those Wilkinson Film Score records. Don't know that Paray - added to the list!
THe Netherlands Wind Ensemble recordings are nearly universally great. Most of my career is conducting wind music. Check out their classic recording of the the Mozart Gran Partita.
Yes, it's marvelous!
So how big is your collection now Mark ?
Hi Mark , Just subscribed to your channel recently and are very much enjoying the content , along with your contribution to the “ classical bums “ live stream . Can I please ask your opinion on which version of the Schubert symphony No.9 you consider to be the best ? I am relatively new to classical music and I have been streaming the William Steinberg version which I enjoy but was wondering if you have a favourite version ? Cheers Tim
Thanks so much for watching and subscribing! THE classic version of this is on Decca/London by Josef Krips. There is an excellent Speaker's Corner reissue. Otherwise go for a Decca or UK pressed London (will say on record label). Early wideband pressing will cost you - the SC reissue is a solid alternative. I see a bunch of copies on discogs at reasonable price. Otherwise I love the Adrian Boult 1970s on EMI - a regular postage-stamp pressing is the way to go.
Thanks Mark I will keep an eye out for those . Just ordered two of the Fitzwilliam string quartets that you guys talked about on the classical bums live stream , found them on EBay here in the uk , made the seller an offer and order placed !! Cheers Tim
@@timwigby8966 They are fabulous! Enjoy!
I have been an avid SACD purchaser, but did dip my toe into 4 of the original source LPs and they are great. How would you rate the RCA Living Stereo releases that Analogue Productions released? They had a second batch that they did not put out on SACD and really interested in several of those (particular the Rubinstein releases). Thanks for a great video
I rate the AP Living Stereo at the highest level. Do not hesitate. Thanks for watching and commenting!
I’ve bought 47 of the 50 from series 1 and 2 last year, as AP announced that the vast majority won’t be repressed ever again. I’ve also been buying up the Classic Records Living Stereo from the 90,s which are now also owned by Chad Kassam.
Mark,
wasn't Decca Phase 4 quad?
Not to my knowledge - but I could be wrong...
I'm not sure i need any reissues there is an abundance of classical records and decent ones often barely played where i live in Buckinghamshire, England. I have a fair few but it's nice to hear about them as my knowledge is patchy. The vinyl community has limited interest in them though there's a few guys talk about them.
I can just imagine there's a good supply near where you live. Whenever I used to visit my parents in UK (in Sussex) I'd make a point of visiting Ben's Collector Records in Guildford and I picked up tons of amazing stuff there. I think it's still going. My other go-to was, of course, Harold Moore's near Oxford Circus, and Richard in the basement was adept at finding rarer titles for me. Long gone, alas...