Mercury Living Presence recordings

Simon, can't help with the Living Presence CD's, though I have read somewhere (probably Steve Hoffman forum,,,, cough, cough, sorry) that they can be rather bright. But I can recommend RCA Living Stereo SACD's which can still be bought new at ridiculously low prices. These are a couple of crackers to begin with :

I have bought two of these Mercury CDs. Music by Respighi conducted by Antal Dorati. Pines and Fountains [of Rome], Ancient Airs and Dances, and so forth. Locvely music, and Dorati makes some of the most engaging performances of it. 

I bought the discs for Dorati's performances, but the recordings are stupendously good as well. 

Though they resolve the sort of detail usually reserved for a live concert in the best seats, I would not call the effect bright at all, but having a superb quality in every way. Very well balanced musical lines presented with supreme lucidity ...

Whether the box sets are of interest might depend on what is recorded, but I am always performer led in my choice of performances of my favourite music, and mostly US based performance appeal to me less than European ones, but that is just me.

I also have that 1812 Overture, which a friend gave me. Otherwise I had no recording, and I agree that it is a real tour de force - so much so that I am careful not to play it too loud for the sake of my ESLs!

ATB from George

PS: Here is a youtube of the First Suite of Ancient Airs and Dances. Not the Mercury recording ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSqymoJeV6s

The Fountains Of Rome, and the Pines Of Rome are original works, and sound modern compared to these pastiche arrangements, but are ultimately the real interest. They are very approachable for all that. Consider these two discs in my view.

As a side note on the 1812 Overture recording on Mercury, it is rather wonderful, but a complete fake on another level. Of course there are no cannon in the recording studio, nor are there any Russian Church Bells. these were recorded separately and dubbed into the master recording.

Here is a youtube link to what Tchaikowsky was emulating with his use of orchestral tubular bells as would be heard in a concert. To get a big Russian Carillon going like in this recording takes many minutes, and it starts quietly, builds to a climax.

There are several recordings in this link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzGbMWEl0Ys

Enjoy!

ATB from George

An even better youtube link to Russian Bell ringing:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezpPxgbIIug

Dear Simon, I listening day by day (better night by night) right in these weeks all CD from the boxset, as you mention is a quite good recording for the age but the mix is really US taste. If you approach to this knowingly then it represent a peculiar collection no more no less that others.
At the current price I think is a good present for Xmas.
Regarding the 1812, exist a recording by Telarc that colleagues indicate as to be also excellent.

Maybe we need more sound engineers nowadays than sampling rate, sometimes...

Great responses, thanks guys. WB alas I have no SACD player, but thanks for the suuggestions. George, yes I was expecting the cannons.. Still remember as a 10 year old my Dad took me to the Albert Hall to listen to 1812 Overture and I jumped out of my chair when the cannon shot off.. Yes the recording is fake in that regard, but the album has a good commentary on recording the cannons and bells so I let it off.. and aren't those Carillon bells slightly out of tune with the orchestra?? But I value your recommendation.. So I guess I will be purchasing the box set.. Even if some of the albums probably will only be played once.

Richard thanks for the info and hints, I will scout on the web, I really am amazed how good that 1812 Overture sounds.. And bicela, you are right its not the size that counts it's what you do with it 

Simon

Dear Simon, then you and I must get this: http://www.deccaclassics.com/en/cat/4558102 

Also available in flac from Decca. A sirup for ears...

Hi Simon,

I agree with you about the 1812, I picked it up from local charity shop for £1.50. Apparently the original mono vinyl is awesome, from memory the stereo is a completely new recording trying to recapture the magic of the original mono version.

Just my 2 cents worth.

Any of the Mercury Living Presence cds I have in my collection, are not only excellent from a sonic point of view, but many of them are performances without peer IMO.

There are too many to list with the time I have available at present, but I think I'll have a chance to supply a list in the next few days.

Cheers,

Both the Mercury Living Presence and the Living Stereo box sets are great value for money - especially if you do not have any of the previous recordings - and sonically very good.  That said the first box sets have the superior selections to the second volumes. 

Beware though, there will be artists and composers that you might not be familiar with, that cause you to look for others of their works !

GBP300ish on Amazon.uk for 220ish albums, you'll get more pleasure and listening enjoyment than that from 15 his res downloads at the same cost. 

Simon, there are at least 15 of these in hdtracks 88/24 176/24. I just have one, the balalaika favorites, i remember listening the vinyl when i was a kid close to 1960. the recording was historical due to the problems during the cold war for a colaboration between the urss (at that time) and the us, also due to the quality of it.  the hd version is great.

for shure i will download others.

regards.  erich.

Simon, they are hybrids . Try and give 'em a try. I think they are great. Regards.

Well I bought the Mercurly Living Presence box set.. And wow, great recordings, and performances. Some in mono, and I have ensured I rip in mono as single channel FLACs.. I feel it sounds better this way.

Simon

Dear Simon,

Have you tried the Respghi yet?

I thoroughly recommend them!

And they range from really easy to enjoy pseudo-pastiche baroque to very tonal and clear early Twentieth Century late Romantic.

Post you findings if you like, please.

I would like to encourage others in this music!

ATB from George 

Then play Rachmaninov's piano concertos 2 & 3 (Janis/Dorati). And be prepared to be blown away.

The Respighi discs are in the box set no. 2 though.

MLP CDs are amazing, Living Stereo less so, still excellent, but LPs are much better. I have no experience with SACD.

George, Uros, will do.. Although the second box set might need to wait a while.

Currently not wanting to move on from Dorati's versIons of Prokofiev's The Love of Three Oranges Suite Symphony 5 and Dvorak's  Slovanic Dances Op 46, 72. Inspired renditions and hugely enjoyable and am listening over and over.

Simon

Dear Simon,

I can well imagine that Dorati would have the measure of these pieces from Prokofiev and Dvorak, so it surprises me not at all that they have you hooked!

Indeed I have only one recording of Dvorak's Slavonic Dances from Vaclav Talich, so will see if this recording is available as a single disc for myself!

ATB from George

Dear George,

after you see the price of single CD of Slavonic Dances on amazon.co.uk or other places, please check the price of Mercury Living Presence Boxed Set on amazon.it.

ATB

(P.S. And Simon, if you bought your box set somewhere else, don't look at the price on Amazon.it.)

I find when I buy these box sets,  with the best will in the world,  they become shelf warmers as the lure of Rory Gallagher takes me away from them and they're filed away. However at that price I've taken the plunge as what will make me take more time (apologies George) with them is if they are well recorded. I'm happiest listening when when music is well recorded and tries to ameliorate the inevitable compromises by well thought out recording techniques.

SJB 

Ok,,not that topic but you should try the Philips Box Set (55 CDs)- the quality of the recordings are outstanding. I really hope to see a Box Set Part#2 soon!

(I have the Mercury Living Box and the Living Stereo as well)

Ralf

Uros, my curiosity got the better of me, yes Amazon.it was about £20 cheaper than what I paid... Oh well 

Hello Uroš,

Many thanks fur the HU, set ordered.

Steve

Dear George and dear All,

following the the satisfations got by the first box set I bought today the second and I must recommend it even more then the first, additionally is included a very nice booklet that describe in details also the remastering process, lovely done by the same almost the original team on restored tube tape and mixer! You have not to lost, and as reported here in Italy now is on discount.

Just tracked down some version of the recording that opened this post on Qobuz, it even has a commentary on how the cannon was recorded that's in the mix. This recording is the most grab you and shake you moment of any classical piece I have heard on my system.  Many classical recordings, and I am not a huge classical listener, but they often sound quite distant to me, and slightly lacking in energy.  This does not, and completely smacked me in the chops.  Love it, and I want more.