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| Author |
Message |
keesan
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Record Companies
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Apr 12 01:49 UTC 1999 |
While eliminating multiple recordings of some compositions from my LP
collection, I realized that certain record companies tend to have better
quality recordings than others (although of course the musicians have a lot
to do with it). I have the opportunity to sample the Kiwanis LP collection
and rather than listening to five different versions of Dvorak's New World
Symphony, would like other people's opinions on which companies are likely
to have produced the best recordings. From my own collection I can list:
Archiv, Deutsche Grammophon, Supraphon (Czech), Nonesuch, London, Turnabout
Vox, Phillips, Angel, Seraphim, Columbia, Capitol, RCA Victor.
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| 74 responses total. |
md
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response 1 of 74:
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Apr 12 04:28 UTC 1999 |
My recollection is that during the 1950s the London FFRR
and FFSS LPs had excellent sound quality. Phillips and
Angel released some superb-sounding LPs in the 1960s and
1970s. Columbia seemed awfully variable throughout the
enire period, but they had some first-rate artists recording
for them. Same with RCA Victor. Later on, Telarc and the
other digital LP makers came along.
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davel
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response 2 of 74:
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Apr 12 11:21 UTC 1999 |
OTOH, as you're sampling *used* disks you'd be very well advised to listen
for scratches, overplaying, etc. The best recording, poorly treated, will
be no bargain.
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keesan
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response 3 of 74:
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Apr 12 12:50 UTC 1999 |
I discovered that problem with an otherwise very nice recording of Brahms
Variations on a Theme by Haydn, Eugene Ormandy and the Philadelphia Symphony
Orchestra. It was played with a lot more feeling than the Utrecht Symphony
Orchestra under Paul Hupperts (Musical Masterworks Society) but was full of
popping sounds. You can see the scratches. FOr some reason people usually
seem to put the paper jackets in the records with the open side facing out
so they also collect dust.
I got the same impression of Columbia and RCA Victor.
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keesan
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response 4 of 74:
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Apr 12 18:32 UTC 1999 |
How would I go about choosing between Brahms Symphony #3 on Deutsche Grammophon
with Herbert von Karajan and the Berlin Philharmonic, and Columbia Masterworks
with Bruno Walter and the Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra of New York?
Both in good condition. Or Rachmaninoff Concerto #2 by Columbia Masterworks
(which seems to be their high-end series) with Leonard Bernstein and the NY
Philharmonic or Seraphim with Erich Leinsdorf and the LA Philharmonic? What
are the better orchestras and conductors? (Pre-CD)
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md
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response 5 of 74:
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Apr 12 21:44 UTC 1999 |
Keep both of the Brahmses if you can. If I had to pick only one
of them, it would be Karajan, but you should listen to them both
and decide for yourself. The Bernstein Rachmaninoff has to be
better than the Leinsdorf, however.
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keesan
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response 6 of 74:
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Apr 13 03:41 UTC 1999 |
I kept both Brahms because they had different things on the other side, but
am now down to one each Academic Festival Overture, Hungarian Dances, and
Variations on Haydn (down from 2 or 3). Both # 3s also sounded good so I was
glad to have an excuse not to have to choose one. The Hungarian Dances were
just not the same on piano as full orchestra, that was an easy choice.
Are there any record companies that should be avoided?
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keesan
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response 7 of 74:
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Apr 13 16:27 UTC 1999 |
Okay, how do I choose between Mendelssohn's Concerto in E Minor for Violin
and Orchestra: Netherlands Philharmonic, Louis Kaufman violinist and Otto
Ackerman conductor (Musical Masterworks Society) and Royal Philharmonic
Orchestra, Sir Thomas Beecham conducting, Jascha Heifetz (RCA Victor)? I
actually liked the Netherlands Philharmonic better but the record is full of
popping sounds and I don't see any scratches or dirt. Can records be cleaned
wtih some common household chemical? (Dish detergent, isopropyl alcohol)
I have been wiping them with a clean handkerchief. Is this bad?
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md
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response 8 of 74:
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Apr 13 21:08 UTC 1999 |
There used to be various cleaning solutions and apparatus
available for vinyl but I never see it anymore. You are
probably safe using some mild soap and lukewarm water,
as long as you thoroughly rinse and dry the LP. Be gentle!
The performance and recording you like the sound of best
is the one you should keep. Beecham/Heifetz would have
been my choice, not having heard either one, but it could very
well be that Kaufman/Ackerman is better.
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