Mercury Living Presence recordings

Hi @SongStream, yes they have energy. The recording technique is outstanding, but I think the energy and vigour comes from Antal Dorati, the conductor. It would appear he is not renowned for subtlety 

So if you like his style search out his other recordings..

I have a few Mercury's but vinyl, I have not tried the CDs.  The reason being is that the Vinyl recordings are 'bright', not excessively so but they are!  I have quite a few of the LPs and I have to say I find them hugely enjoyable and in the future I will rip them to 24/96.

The other criticism of the series is that some of the musical choices are at time a bit 'strange', in some peoples' eyes.  Not mine though, there is very little classical I don't enjoy listening too.

You can still get, I believe, 180g vinyl pressings from various companies.  I would follow this up rather than the CDs but that's me.

Bill, if you find the US issues a bit bright you should try the European issues such as the EMI pressed UK issues, or the Philips pressings, which are a bit smoother, if slightly less "seat of the pants".  Some UK issues I prefer to the US ones, although there's a lot of variance with the US issues depending on issue, cut and who pressed it. In some cases the Philips pressings are best of the bunch and still fly under the radar.   I used to trade UK Deccas and EMI/Columbia LPs with RCA Living Stereo and Mercury Living Presence collectors in the US and Canada so got hold of quite a few in excellent condition.  

Classic did some lovely MLP reissues around the same time as the Living Stereos.  The Speakers Corner ones aren't quite up to that level and are less consistent, however, the Starker box is superb so maybe the later ones are best.  Not sure about the latest box set issues that accompanied the CD box sets.  I haven't heard them.

Richard I have a mix of pressings.  I have some of the original pressings from the 1960s (I guess) but I also have some later 180g vinyl pressed by... (Not sure)... could have been Speakers Corner or maybe even Pure Pleasure????

They are still bright though but not overly so, I really enjoy listening to them.  Like I said earlier some of the program might be thought to be odd by some people but again I really enjoy them all.

Len Gregory (The Cartridgeman - I have his Conductor tonearm on my Galibier) sold a whole load of original MLPs for a customer and they were cheap.  It was fill your boots time!

EMI did a series in the 70s I believe ASDxxxx and the earlier numbered one were excellent, the higher numbered ones were digital and never sounded very good but those earlier ones were excellent - great program material too.  Have a load of those btw.

Chasing was fun!

100% -  I have the Qobuz copy - All you say & more

For those peeps who are streaming only,  go Qobuz & search 1812 

The Mercury recording is a few down the list & has a distinctive cartoon'ish brass cannon cover,  the full title is - 

Tchaikovsky: 1812 Festival Overture, Op.49;

Capriccio Italien / Beethoven: Wellington's Victory

University Of Minnesota Brass Band

Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra, 

And on that recording is an interesting narrative on how the cannon and carillon were recorded and then mixed I to the orchestral recording.

Simon, think have the same cd, consists of 6 tracks - which 2 and 6 are commentary. It was the first cd I used to demo my Cdx2 many moons ago, literally was blown away with the realism - made the mistake of having the volume a little on the high side for the start of track and when the cannons fired thought I had blown the speakers! That was an eye opener for me on how the system can convey the swing in dynamics and all from a recording made back in the 50's.

It's still the "go to" cd for when I get pissed off by the neighbour but I always look out for any armed response teams as a consequence!

Simply fantastic.

Si.