Get this record...play it...and than look at the recording date
Posted by: T38.45 on 01 February 2015
just read a post at the computeraudiophle forum where a member recommends:
Ansermt- de Falla: El Sombrero de Tres Picos (available from Qobuz). It has a grey-red-black cover.
Of curiosity, I streamed it now and it's incredible good. Even if the music is not your cake you should give it a try...this record was from 1961��
1961 was a very good year.
That was one of the great early Decca recordings. Recorded by Roy Wallace at Victoria Hall, Geneva in February 1960.
The original vinyl (SXL2296) is fab too - and very expensive these days, although in many ways the best issue I've heard was the later Ace of Diamonds from the '70s. Speakers Corner did a recent reissue that's good, if not up to the earlier Decca issues. There's also a very recent 45rpm Grundman mastered issue from ORG. I haven't got that one or heard it, so couldn't comment. Lots of issues on various CDs including a spangly XRCD and an SACD, albeit taken from a 24bit 96kHz master copy.
Thanks Richard, so it seems this is an all time fav:-)....can still not believe that this recording is from 1960/61...amazing..
If you want to find out about the background to the early Decca recordings, I can highly recommend John Culshaw's book Putting The Record Straight.
Decca's team of talented engineers such as Roy Wallace, Arthur Haddy, and Ken Wilkinson weren't alone in their quest for great recordings; in the United States you had Robert Fine and his wife, Wilma at Mercury and at RCA you had Lewis Layton doing similar quality work. It's no accident that the period from the mid '50s to the end of the '60s was considered the "Golden Age" of classical recordings. What is most remarkable is that Decca were able to maintain their high standards (in most cases) all the way to the '80s.
This reccomanded recording is also part of the good box set "the Decca sound" that is stil sold out and quite expensive. I use this record often for test.
If you want to find out about the background to the early Decca recordings, I can highly recommend John Culshaw's book Putting The Record Straight.
Decca's team of talented engineers such as Roy Wallace, Arthur Haddy, and Ken Wilkinson weren't alone in their quest for great recordings; in the United States you had Robert Fine and his wife, Wilma at Mercury and at RCA you had Lewis Layton doing similar quality work. It's no accident that the period from the mid '50s to the end of the '60s was considered the "Golden Age" of classical recordings. What is most remarkable is that Decca were able to maintain their high standards (in most cases) all the way to the '80s.
I checked out Richard's recommendation for Putting The Record Straight and excellent book as it probably is, used copies start at over £46 and new at £107 on the river! However, for those sufficiently interested (as I am), it is worth searching your county library website. It appears we have a copy here in Kent for example and I am on the case to acquire it.
1961 was a very good year.
Indeed.
If you want to find out about the background to the early Decca recordings, I can highly recommend John Culshaw's book Putting The Record Straight.
Decca's team of talented engineers such as Roy Wallace, Arthur Haddy, and Ken Wilkinson weren't alone in their quest for great recordings; in the United States you had Robert Fine and his wife, Wilma at Mercury and at RCA you had Lewis Layton doing similar quality work. It's no accident that the period from the mid '50s to the end of the '60s was considered the "Golden Age" of classical recordings. What is most remarkable is that Decca were able to maintain their high standards (in most cases) all the way to the '80s.
I checked out Richard's recommendation for Putting The Record Straight and excellent book as it probably is, used copies start at over £46 and new at £107 on the river! However, for those sufficiently interested (as I am), it is worth searching your county library website. It appears we have a copy here in Kent for example and I am on the case to acquire it.
Richard
Check out ISBN-10 0436118025 - ISBN-13 9780436118029
This edition can be found under £6 second hand and at about £10 new.
Cheers
aleg
If you want to find out about the background to the early Decca recordings, I can highly recommend John Culshaw's book Putting The Record Straight.
Decca's team of talented engineers such as Roy Wallace, Arthur Haddy, and Ken Wilkinson weren't alone in their quest for great recordings; in the United States you had Robert Fine and his wife, Wilma at Mercury and at RCA you had Lewis Layton doing similar quality work. It's no accident that the period from the mid '50s to the end of the '60s was considered the "Golden Age" of classical recordings. What is most remarkable is that Decca were able to maintain their high standards (in most cases) all the way to the '80s.
+1 : Culshaw's is fascinating book