DG cat # KL 33/39 7 LP Box Set (Limited Edition, Mono) Released 1964

#NowSpinning Brahms: Symphonie Nr.1 C-moll Op.68 · Berliner Philharmoniker, Karajan
DG German 1964 pressing (mono, limited numbered box set), tulip rim label.
The first of Karajan's DG Brahms cycle is widely acknowledged as his best. Sounding beautiful and detailed even in mono.

#NowSpinning Stravinsky: Le Sacre du Printemps · Chicago Symphony Orch. & Georg Solti.
Decca 2025 EU pressing - Decca Pure Analogue series.
Do I need the 16th version (quite literally) of The Rite of Spring?
Yes if it's to sound like this prodigy from Emil Berliner team.

#NowSpinning Stravinsky: Petrushka (1911 version) · New York Philharmonic & Boulez.
CBS 1973 Spanish pressing.
As analytical and precise as you'd expect from Boulez's baton. Even in a score you may know well, he makes you discover details, layers and rhythmic patterns.

Un vecchio cameriere,
anche la sua coscienza
getta sula terra
dolori e sofferenza.
Ipiedi che gli dolgono,
la moglie pazza
e quanto gliene viene
dal fatto che egliè un uomo
e appartiene alla razza.
Un giorno amò,
ora si fa il bucato,
sognando il re che sarebbe stato

#NowSpinning Franco Battiato: L'ombrello alla macchina da cucire. Universal 2018 Italian pressing (reissue, first released 1995).
First collaboration with philosopher Manlio Sgalambro.
Strong classical influences, operatic voices, electronic, surreal wit
Rings a bell?

#NowSpinning Mike Oldfield: Amarok
Mercury EU 2025 Half-Speed Mastered 2LP reissue (cut by Miles Showell at Abbey Road Studios).
Far better sound than in the original 1990 Virgin pressing. Wider soundstage and instruments division, improved clarity.
I just love this work.
Happy?

Way more interesting and well recorded (thanks, John Culshaw) is this 1959 take of Grieg's Concerto withe the LSO.
Curzon combines striking intensity with lyrical poise, beautifully framed by Øivin Fjeldstad's insightful, finely shaded orchestral support. One of the best versions around.

#NowSpinning Grieg : Piano concerto - Franck: Variations Symphoniques · LSO & Oivin Fjeldstad, LPO & Adrian Boult, Clifford Curzon.
London 1968 USA pressing (repress).
Franck's work isn't heard often in concert halls. Curzon does wonders but orchestral balance here is awful.

#NowSpinning Gabrieli: Canzonas · The Edward Tarr Brass Ensemble, E. Power Biggs, Vittorio Negri.
Columbia 1968 USA pressing (2 eye 360 sound COL65 label).

Just love venetian baroque brass music.
Again not a HIP approach to this music nor a subtle one.
Beautifully recorded

Fricsay conducting here is as alien to Glück as captivating .
Love this old DG records artwork and cover design.

#NowSpinning Glück: Orpheus und Eurydike · RIAS Symphonie Orchester & Chor Berlin, Fischer Dieskau, Stader, Streich & Fricsay.

DG 1963 German pressing (LPM – Tulip – Mono).

First released 1957.
Not for the HIP hardcore fans.
How beautifully sings Fischer-Dieskau here!

#NowSpinning Brahms: Symphony No.4 · Berliner Philharmoniker & Karajan (1964).
DG 1972 Spanish pressing (reissue).
For many the best Brahms cycle from Karajan is his first with BPO in the early 60's.
Masterfully conducted and played but still fails to engage due to sonic issues.

#NowSpinning Brahms: Ein Deutsches Requiem- Berliner Philharmoniker, Gundula Janowitz, Eberhard Waechter & Karajan. DG 1976 Spanish pressing (reissue).
I prefer Klemperer's 1962 recording, but Janowitz singing in "Ihr habt nun Traurigkeit" is simply otherworldly.

#NowSpinning Kodaly: Works for piano (complete) · György Sándor.
Candide 1981 US pressing (reissue).
Beautiful sound. Pristine condition (still sealed).
Knew nothing about Kodaly's work for piano.
This is a great recording. Loved the music and the playing of Kodaly's pupil.

Beethoven: Symphony No.5 in C minor, Op 67 Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra & William Steinberg. Command Cat # CC 33-11031 1965 Spanish pressing (Hispavox). Original master recorded on 35mm magnetic film.

#NowSpinning Beethoven: Symphony No.5 · Pittsburgh Symphony Orch. & Steinberg.
1965 Spanish pressing (Command / Hispavox label).
Didn't expect such a nice rendition of Beethoven from Steinberg: both clear
exciting. The sound is truly great thanks to the 35mm tape mastering.

Tchaikovsky - Mendelssohn Conciertos para violín Arthur Grumiaux, Concertgebouw Orchestra & Bernard Haitink Philips early 60's Spanish pressing Cat # 835 055 AY

#NowSpinning Tchaikovsky - Mendelssohn: Violin Concertos · Grumiaux, @ConcertgbOrkest & Haitink.
Undated early 60's Spanish pressing.
Flawless beautiful sound by Grumiaux. His reading lacks the intensity and fits better to the 2nd movement. A 31 years old Haitink conducts here.

#NowSpinning Bizet: Carmen – L'Arlessienne · L'Orchestre de la Suisse Romande & Ansermet.
1959 Spanish pressing (blue back sleeve).

A gem of a record in pristine sound condition with cover pretty well preserved too. A struck of luck, specially considering the price.

#NowSpinning Otto Olson: Te Deum – The Täby Church Choir, Orpheus Chamber Ensemble & Kerstin Ek (cond.)
BIS 1985 Deutsch pressing.
Must confess I knew nothing about this Swedish composer and organist.
Part of my last crate digging vinyl picking.

#NowSpinning Schoenberg: Verklärte Nacht @berliner-philharmoniker.de & Karajan.
Recorded 1973.
2025 DG The Original Source audiophile reissue.
4-LP gatefold boxset edition with the original artwork.
I already owned the 70's compilation but just couldn't let this pass. Guilty.

#NowSpinning Barbara Hendricks chante Gershwin with Katia & Marielle Labèque.
Philips 1981 French pressing.
Not sure if François Jeanneau piano arrangements really work here, but Hendricks sings wonderfully, specially in "I got rhythm" and "I loves you Porgy".

#NowSpinning Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue / An American in Paris · Hollywood Bowl Symphony Orch., Felix Slatkin & Leonard Pennario (piano).
Capitol 1962 Spanish pressing.
Like father like son.
Now I see where Leonard Slatkin's superb Gershwin came from.
A truly enjoyable version.

#NowSpinning Prince and the Revolution: Around the World in a Day.
1985 France pressing.
40 years already from release date of 7ᵗʰ album in the discography of Prince.

"Pop life, everybody needs a thrill
Pop life, we all got a space to fill
Pop life, everybody can't be on top"

Drummers don't grow old.
Stewart Copeland (73).

There was a time a record was a valuable and cherished gift.

Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto · Menuhin, Berliner Philharmoniker & Furtwängler
1957 La Voix de son Maitre France pressing.

"Offert par Jean Poussin le 19 Decembre 1957"

#NowSpinning Keith Jarrett: Solo Concerts Bremen-Lausanne.
2023 EU ECM pressing
A scream for acoustic jazz at a moment when jazz electrification was the thing.
Recorded live in 1973, two years after leaving Miles Davis band.
The courage of playing over an hour without set list 🎹❤️‍🔥

Me too. I was glad I found this.
Acoustic Sounds releases aren't that easy to find here.
Glorious sound.

#NowSpinning Miles Davis: Birth of the Blues.
2024 USA pressing by Acoustic Sounds.
A single recording session in 1958, a year before Kind of Blue by the very same sextet. You couldn't tell they had just joined forces a month before.
Impressive clarity and depth.
Top artistry.

#NowSpinning Billie Holiday: All or nothing at all.
2025 Acoustic Sounds USA pressing of the original 1958 album recorded in separate sessions between 1956 and 1957.
A timeless LP.
Thrilling sound. Just like being seated in the front rows of a small jazz club.
Superb pressing here

#NowSpinning Bellini: Puritani.
Sutherland, Pavarotti, @londonsymphony & Bonynge.
1975 The Netherlands pressing.

"A te, cara, amore talora
Mi guidò furtivo e in pianto
Or mi guida a te d'accanto
Fra la gioia e l'esultar
Al brillar di sì bell'ora"

#NowSpinning Rameau: Una Symphonie Imaginaire ·
Les Musiciens du Louvre & Marc Minkowski

This recording never fails to give me goosebumps and make me sheed tears. Really.
From the thrilling Zaïs Overture to Les Boréades Gavottes, just perfect.
This Clearaudio edition only makes things better.