Two of the world's favorite violin concerti on one disc, with legendary solo performances coupled with outstanding support from the Philharmonia Orchestra.  Brahms' Violin Concerto with Gioconda De Vito receives a lyrically passionate reading, with Rudolf Schwarz leading the Philharmonia. Jascha Heifetz's  performance in the Tchaikovsky is at once fiery, tender and playful, with Walter Susskind and the Philharmonia providing marvelously limpid accompaniment. Sources are from a near-mint RCA/HMV LP (Brahms) and a very good domestic RCA disc (Tchaikovsky). 

 

 CD $12.00

The Reader's Digest issued several sets of albums consisting of a wide range of classical music during the 60s, most all recorded by the Decca (UK) team headed by the legendary Kenneth Wilkinson. This disc, consisting of Howard Hanson's 2nd Symphony, subtitled Romantic, conducted by Charles Gerhardt and Edward MacDowell's 2nd Piano Concerto, with Earl Wild as pianist, and Massimo Freccia conducting,  is one of the most exciting of the releases in that series. The National Philharmonic, one of Englands' great recording orchestras, is featured in both performances. A mint disc was the source for the production of this release. Glorious sonics, coupled with sympathetic readings of these modern masterpieces, make for a thrilling listening experience.  

-See also in Orchestral-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Barbirolli-conducted Vanguard disc is one I found unopened in an antique shop in Bellingham, Washington! The performances, recorded by PYE,  are robust, straightforward readings, with the Halle Orchestra in fine form. The Piano Concerto is a lyrically-conceived reading, with Viktor Yeresko offering an insightful interpretation, Gennady Rozhdestvensky leading the Moscow Radio Symphony, from a domestic Melodiya/Angel release.

 

 

 

 

 

Gina Bachauer (1913-1976) was a Greek pianist, often regarded as the greatest female pianist of the 20th century. A student of Cortot and Rachmaninoff, she enjoyed a long and successful performing career. She did not spend much time before the recording microphone, though, so her recordings are fewer than some of  her contemporaries. She recorded for HMV for a period beginning in 1949, and this recording, from a domestic RCA LP released in 1956, is from the early 50s. She performs these two concerti with grace and consummate style. Her husband, Alec Sherman, conducts the London Orchestra (also known as The New London Orchestra in other recordings). A delightful, rare recording worth preserving, in fine mono sound.

 

 

Two musical giants, Richter and Mravinsky, collaborate in what many think is the best recording ever of Tchaikovsky's 1st concerto for piano. Recorded in 1958 by Melodiya, it transcribes a formidable interpretation, with the Leningrad Philharmonic providing rock-solid support. The rarely-played-and-recorded Rubinstein 4th Piano Concerto features the forceful personality and legendary keyboard skills of Oscar Levant, with Dimitri Mitropoulos leading the New York Philharmonic in sympathetic accompaniment, from a Columbia recording made in 1952.  

 

 

 

Karl Ristenpart's recordings of Bach with the Saar Chamber Orchestra are timeless in the seemingly effortless genius of balance and pulse, with warm spacious sound to enhance the experience. An unusual disc, well recorded by Club Français du Disque and licensed to Nonesuch.

 

 

Another Romantic collection with Karl Ristenpart at the helm, with two piano works by Mendelssohn and Schumann, and his glorious recording of the Schumann Konzertstücke for 4 Horns and Orchestra. Originally taped by Club Françaises du Disques and issued domestically on two different Nonesuch discs, these recordings again reflect Ristenpart's dynamism and precision, and are worthy of reissue.  

 

 

  

Telemann wrote innumerable concerti and orchestral suites. This particular collection, from a mid-60s Nonesuch LP features two "entertainment" concerti and a musically graceful, highly individual Ouverture. Karl Ristenpart conducts the Saar Chamber Orchestra with an acute sense of form and style, with Mauricé  Andre, Michel Lagorce and Jacques Mas on trumpets; Helmut Winschermann, Erich Bolz and Ludwig Trenz on oboes. The Vivaldi Piccolo concerti are from another Nonesuch LP, with Roger Bourdin as piccolo soloist. 

 

 

Two classic recordings, long out of print, featuring father David Oistrakh conducting son Igor Oistrakh in Tchaikovsky's venerable Violin Concerto, from a first series red leatherette-spine, red with black star border label Melodiya/Angel LP. The composer-lead Khachaturian Violin Concerto has Davis Oistrakh as soloist, from a rare orange label Cyrillic-script Melodiya/Odyssey release. Both recordings are lush, lyrical, and well recorded; the Khachaturian is an older recording, so the soloist is a bit more "up-front", whereas the Tchaikovsky is reminiscent of contemporary (1967) EMI recordings. Both are quite enjoyable, and worthy of reissue. 

 

 

 

 

The keyboard genius of Gary Graffman   is showcased in this collection of  the three Tchaikovsky piano concerti, derived from Columbia recordings from the mid-60s. The 1st concerto is given a definitive reading, with razor-sharp detailed accompaniment offered by the Cleveland Orchestra with George Szell. The two seldom performed 2nd and 3rd concerti are sympathetically accompanied by the Philadelphia Orchestra conducted by Eugene Ormandy. Two near-mint Columbia late pressing LPs were used for this 2-CD set, offered at a special price.  

 

The quintessential classical virtuoso trumpeter,  he rose to international prominence in the 1960s and 1970s with a large series of recordings of Baroque works on piccolo trumpet for Erato and other labels. Not content to limit himself to the standard Baroque trumpet repertoire, he also performed many transcriptions of works for oboe, flute, and even voice and string instruments. These recordings were (and remain) very popular, and were a strong component of the rebirth of interest in Baroque music in the 1960s. Fellow trumpeters and music lovers the world over have praised André for his clear, bright, ringing tone on the piccolo trumpet. His flawless and graceful performances have inspired many brass musicians, young and old. He has over 300 audio recordings to his name, from the mid 1950s to the present. This collection is derived from an RCA set licensed by Erato, and an original Erato LP, with recordings dating from the mid-60s to 1972. A delightful set, with much to enjoy from André's extraordinary talent. 

 

 

 

 

Very detailed, yet passionate performance of Tchaikovsky's beloved Piano Concerto No. 1 with Ilana Vered accompanied by the London Symphony with Kazimierz Kord conducting. London/Decca's Phase 4 multi-mic technique is used discreetly throughout. Ilana Vered also plays selections from Stravinsky's "Petrushka", arranged originally by Stravinsky for Arthur Rubenstein. Wonderful performances long out of circulation, now made available. 

 

With the exception of Joseph Haydn's Concerto for Trumpet from 1796, the musical literature for solo trumpet from the second half of the 18th century has been known until recently only to a handful of  specialists. This disc features two relatively unknown concerti by Hertel and Leopold Mozart, as well as the more well-known Hummel concerto. The Hummel concerto is played in its proper, original key of  E. Edward Tarr uses a Bb piccolo trumpet  with 4 valves in the Hertel and Mozart; and an E trumpet in the Hummel. Stylistically correct performances, played with panache from a true scholarly trumpeter. Originally recorded by EMI-Electrola, issued domestically on a Nonesuch LP; a late pressing was used for this transcription. 

 

 

 

 

Exceptional performances in both concerti; surprising discipline and warmth from the French orchestra, with some truly distinctive woodwind playing (especially the bassoons), beautifully burnished strings, and the French horns control the vibrato admirably. Yuri Boukoff  plays with dignity and forthrightness, in a recording originally taped by Grand Award/Command. The Tchaikovsky is a crackerjack recording, with all concerned putting in a detailed, well-paced showing, from an Richmond 7½ ips reel tape.

 

Austrian pianist Alexander Jenner made few recordings during his career, but those that are extant are of  high quality in performance. He recorded two LPs for Don Gabor's Remington Label, as well as Concert Hall Society, Classique,  Ariola, and Bertlesmann. It is the latter label that recorded the Grieg concerto, reissued on World Record Club in mono (from which this CD is transcribed). Detailed and well played, it is also quite a good recording. Thanks to John Whitmore for his transcription of the WRC Grieg disc. The two Liszt concerti feature Hungarian pianist Edith Farnadi, who recorded primarliy for Westminster. These performances were taped by Wesminster in 1952 in robust mono, and this transcription is from a red label LP in good condition.

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

Rare, one-of-a-kind recordings of unusual solo violin work with orchestra. The Respighi Concerto Gregoriano was composed in 1921, inspired by Gregorain chant, and an attempt by the composer to incorporate the purity of temperance and form peculiar to the religious music of the Middle Ages. Charles Auguste de Beriot was regarded in his prime as thr heir to Paganini. His Scene de Ballet is redolent of Auber, Bellini, and Donizetti. Few violin pieces are as elegant and infused with melody as this piece. Both pieces were recorded by Urania in the early 1950s. This transcription is of the Varese Sarabande LP issued in the 70s; the disc itself was seldom played. Produced by customer request; thanks to Marc Ludig for suggesting this reissue.