Sir Thomas Beecham conducts... Elgar -&- German - CBS 1954/EMI 1956

Sir Edward Elgar:  Variations on an original theme, "Enigma", op.36                WAV  HF Download
Philips  SBR 6224  (10" -1957 reissue). Matrices: AA 06686 1R -8 / 2R -9   Rec: 26/27 Nov.1954 - Walthamstow Town Hall (+ 13/14 Dec.1954)
Sir Edward German:  "Gipsy suite" - Four characteristic dances:                     WAV  HF Download
Valse melancholique (Lonely Life) ~ Allegro di Bravura (The Dance) ~ Menuetto (Love Duet) ~ Tarantella (The Revel)
HMV  ALP 1983   First edition 1963 LP/matrix: 2XEA 2164 -1N.  Recorded: 1956  
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra  conducted by  Sir Thomas Beecham, Bart.    
An 'HISTORICAL' Request... Had intended including SBR 6225 (Str.Ser./Cockaigne) but the former may not be suitable to transfer due to some surface noise (the performance is pretty bad - hardly justifies inclusion instead of, eg, the 'Not on CD' Collins/NSO or Collingwood/LSO).
Much of this 'Enigma' isn't to my taste - the Faure-like languorous drawl is quite enervating. Presumably EMI used a stereo tape for the CD issue of the 'Gipsy Suite'.   May still upload the 'Cockaigne', but Bantock's 'Fifine' is too commonplace..            
Elgar: 1955 EMG review / 1975 CBS sleeve-note / HMV sleeve >>>    Extra!  Book CD/EMI: 10 track mono FLAC 7-zip folder: Beecham in rehearsal

Holst. The Planets - London Philharmonic / Sir Adrian Boult - Nixa/Westminster 1954

Gustav Holst:  "The Planets" suite, op.32   
1: Mars  ~  2: Venus  ~  3: Mercury  //  4: Jupiter  ~  5: Saturn  ~  6: Uranus  ~  7: Neptune
2 files zip FLAC  (+ slight 'de-click')   ZS Download
2 files zip WAV  HF Download    
London Philharmonic Choir -&- London Philharmonic Orchestra  conducted by  Sir Adrian Boult   
PYE/Nixa  NLP 903   CBS matrices: XTV20373 -1E / XTV20374 -1AB  (c.1956 LP/c.1955 recut: marginally superior to the original 1A/1A).  
Recorded: 10-14 September 1953 - Walthamstow Town Hall                                                          1945 BBC SO / Boult - on HISTORICAL
Even The Record Guide, 1955, commented upon some noisy surfaces; so the manual editing has been extremely tedious.    
Very slight de-click applied to the zip FLAC due to some residual (very minor) low-level 'surface-noise'.            Sleeve-note >>>

Szymanowski. Violin Concertos 1 -&- 2 (Wilkomirska / Treger) - Muza 1961/2

Karol Szymanowski:
Violin Concerto no.1, op.35  (1916)     
Wanda Wilkomirska, violin                            STEREO FLAC  HF Download
Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra  conducted by  Witold Rowicki   
Violin Concerto no.2, op.61  (1932/3)  
Charles Treger, violin                                    STEREO FLAC  HF Download
Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra  conducted by  Robert Satanowski   
Rediffusion Aurora  AUR 5063   1978 Nimbus LP/matrices   (Polskie Nagrania/Muza  SX 0383 stereo)  
Sleeve-note >>>

Bernard Vitebsky / Mervyn Vicars - Beethoven. Piano Concerto 3 - Concert Artist 1955

Ludwig van Beethoven:
Concerto for Piano & Orchestra no.3 in C minor, op.37  
I: Allegro con brio (cadenza: Ignaz Moscheles)  ~  II: Largo  ~  III: Allegro - Presto             2 files zip FLAC  HF Download
Bernard Vitebsky, piano  ~ Concert Artist Symphony Orchestra  conducted by  Mervyn Vicars  
SAGA/ARC Fidelity  FDY 2043   Re-issued 1963  (originally: Concert Artist  LPA 1079...that LP catalogue deleted almost immediately..)   
Recorded: late 1954/early 1955 - Levy's Sound Studios, London ?
The performance/recording is really quite good; especially side 1/the excellent Moscheles cadenza.  Slight 'De-Click' applied.
Perhaps FDY 2036 (Mozart Sym.41/EKNachtmusik: 'Orchestre des Beaux Arts/Louis Maillot') was a Vicars recording? 
His EKN (London Mozart Ensemble) was LPA 1076 c/w Div.K.136-138).
Not on CD.   Original cover 'design' / 2007 Obituary >>>

Colin Davis / English Chamber Orchestra - Haydn. Symphony 84 / Mozart. Concertone K.190 - L'Oiseau-Lyre 1961

W.A.Mozart:  Concertone for 2 violins, oboe & violoncello, K.190
I:  Allegro spirituoso  ~  II:  Andantino grazioso  ~  III:  Tempo di Menuetto - Vivace 
(Emanuel Hurwitz & Eli Goren, violins - Peter Graeme, oboe - Terence Weil, 'cello)  
STEREO FLAC   HF Download
Josef Haydn:  Symphony no.84 in E flat major   
I:  Largo - Allegro  ~  II:  Andante  ~  III:  Menuet - Allegretto  ~  IV:  Vivace  
STEREO FLAC   HF Download
English Chamber Orchestra  conducted by  Colin Davis  
L'Oiseau-Lyre  SOL 60030    Original 1961 LP/matrices: ZTT 551 -1D / ZTT 552 -1D.   Recorded: 1960 (London: IBC Studio A ?)
Haydn not on CD  (Mozart: Decca Eloquence)  Nice performances & recordings     EMG review + Sleeve-note >>>

Dimitri Mitropoulos / New York Philharmonic - Mendelssohn. Symphonies 3 / 5 - CBS 1954

Felix Mendelssohn:

Symphony no.3 in A minor, op.56  - "Scotch"   
I: Andante con moto - Allegro un poco agitato - Assai animato  ~   II: Vivace non troppo  ~  III: Adagio  ~  IV: Allegro vivacissimo 
WAV  HF Download
Symphony no.5 in D major, op.107  - "Reformation"  
I: Andante - Allegro con fuoco  ~  II: Allegro vivace  ~  III: Andante  ~  IV: Choral: Ein Feste Burg ist unser Gott: Andante con moto - Allegro vivace
WAV  HF Download
The Philharmonic-Symphony Orchestra of New York  conducted by  Dimitri Mitropoulos  
Philips  ABL 3082    1956 UK LP/matrices: AA01174 1L =5 / 2L =9    Recorded: 2 November 1953 - Columbia 30th Street Studio, New York  
Compare to "Mr Pristine's" inept  '32-bit XR Transformation' (from CD-R dubbing).  
His 320mp3 'before/after' sample HERE   (direct sample link: http://tinyurl.com/mnwcyt)            EMG review + Sleeve-note >>>

Anatole Fistoulari / Paris Conservatoire - Gounod/Thomas/Ponchielli - Decca 1950

Charles Gounod:  "Faust" - Ballet music     

Ambroise Thomas:  "Mignon" - Overture     

Amilcare Ponchielli:  "La Gioconda" - Dance of the Hours     

L'Orchestre de la Societe des Concerts du Conservatoire de Paris  conducted by  Anatole Fistoulari         3 files zip WAV   HF Download

Decca  ACL 112   First issued as Decca LK 4018.   Matrices: ARL 358 -1Nr / ARL 357 -1Nr.
Recorded:  (a) 17 February (b/c) 14 February 1950 -  La Maison de la Mutualite, Paris.
28 March 2010 files - re-edited March 2013     Not on CD

Carl Schuricht / Paris Conservatoire - Wagner. Tristan & Isolde / Gotterdammerung -&- Schumann - Decca 1954

Richard Wagner:  "Tristan & Isolde" - Prelude & Liebestod           WAV   HF Download
Richard Wagner:  "Die Gotterdammerung"  (arr: Carl Schuricht) 
- Dawn & Siegfried's Rhine Journey -&- Siegfried's Death & Funeral Music          WAV   HF Download
"Die Gotterdammerung" - as above: ACL transfer  
Robert Schumann:  Overture, Scherzo & Finale in E, op.52  (Andante con moto - Allegro ~ Vivo ~ Allegro molto vivace)  
2 files zip WAV   HF Download
L'Orchestre de la Societe des Concerts du Conservatoire de Paris  conducted by  Carl Schuricht  
Decca  LXT 5026    1955 pressing/ matrices: ARL2188 -2A / ARL2189 -2A  +  Gotterdammerung: ACL 117 - c.1960 Matrix: ARL2189 -4Ar  
Schumann: ACL 231  (LXT 2985)  1964 Matrix: ARL1700 -5K.    Recorded: 4/5 & 8-11 June 1954 - La Maison de la Mutualite, Paris.
ACL files from March 2012: "Tristan" proving too complex (& this LXT 'Geon' vinyl also hugely impractical to edit). Wagner: Japan only CD?    EMG review + LXT 5026 Sleeve-note >>>

Enrique Jorda / Paris Conservatoire - Francesca da Rimini -&- Music from Spain - Decca 1950

Tchaikovsky:  "Francesca da Rimini"   (Fantasia after Dante), op.32       WAV  HF Download
Decca  ACL 89   (LXT 2531)   Reissued 1960. Matrix: ARL 363 -3Dr    

Falla:  "La Vida Breve"  - Spanish Dance no.1
Granados:  Danzas Espanolas, op.37 - Andaluza (#5)  ~  Oriental (#2)  ~  Rondalla aragonesa (#6)
Turina:  La Procesion del Rocio, op.9  - Fiesta en Triana  ~  La Procesion
Albeniz, orch: Arbos:  "Iberia" - El Puerto  ~  Triana
Decca  ACL 12  (LXT 2521)   Reissued 1958. Matrices: ARL337 -2Dr / ARL337 -1Dr         4 files zip WAV  HF Download
L'Orchestre de la Societe des Concerts du Conservatoire de Paris  conducted by  Enrique Jorda 
Rec: 24/28 February 1950 - La Maison de la Mutualite, Paris.    18 Dec 2009 files: re-edited March 2013    Not on CD    EMG LXT 2531 review >>>

Thurston Dart / Philomusica - 6 Brandenburg Concertos - L'Oiseau-Lyre 1959

Johann Sebastian Bach:  The Six Brandenburg Concertos:
Concerto no.1 in F major,  BWV 1046       /      Concerto no.2 in F major,  BWV 1047                     2 files zip FLAC   HF Download   
Concerto no.1 in F major,  BWV 1046 - reissue               FLAC   HF Download
Concerto no.3 in G major,  BWV 1048       /      Concerto no.4 in G major,  BWV 1049                     2 files zip FLAC    HF Download   

Concerto no.5 in D major,  BWV 1050      /      Concerto no.6 in B flat major,  BWV 1051               2 files zip FLAC    HF Download

Philomusica of London  directed by  Thurston Dart, harpsichord      
L'Oiseau-Lyre  SOL 60005/6  STEREO    Original 1959 LP's/matrices: ZTT 495 -1K / 496 -1K + ZTT 497 -1K / 498 -1K
1958 mono issues: OL 50167 (1/2/4) & OL 50160 (3/5). Concerto 6 re-recorded 10/11 October 1958 - Decca West Hampstead Studios.
No.1 additionally from DPA 577 (1977: matrices 2A/2A).  4 April 2010 files: re-edited March 2013     Sleeve-notes, etc + 1958/9 EMG reviews >>>

George Weldon conducts... Elgar -&- Handel - EMI 1954/1960

G.F. Handel: arr. Hamilton Harty    "Water Music" - suite   /   "Royal Fireworks" - suite     2 files zip FLAC  ZS Download
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra  conducted by  George Weldon  
HMV  XLP 20033.  mono matrices: 2YEA 1976 -4N / 2YEA 1977 -2N      Recorded: 1960. EMI Studio 1, Abbey Road

Sir Edward Elgar:
"Sea Pictures", op.37  -  (Gladys Ripley, Contralto)      FLAC  ZS Download 
"In the South" (Alassio), op.50       FLAC  ZS Download
HMV  XLP 30008. (Columbia 33SX 1028)   1962 pressing/matrices: XAX 526 -3N / XAX 527 -3N 

G.F. Handel, arr. Elgar:  Overture in D  (Chandos Anthem No. 2)
G.F. Handel: "Solomon" -  Sinfonia; Arrival of the Queen of Sheba / Occasional oratorio - March  
Columbia  SED 5516    1958 pressing/matrices: 7TCA215 -3N / 7TCA216 -2N       2 files zip FLAC  ZS Download  
London Symphony Orchestra  conducted by  George Weldon                  Recorded: 19 February 1954 - EMI Studio 1, Abbey Road.    
"Sea Pictures" was supposedly recorded 26 February 1954 @ Abbey Road  - so either EMI made a post-production re-recording mess - or the tape was replayed @ Kingsway Hall - adding the Organ that way. In any event the sound is poor-quality - which precluded my adding it to the 2009 post.
The Handel/RPO was issued on CD (Royal Classics ROY 6442 -1994). This mono version was released before the stereo LP and has excellent sound + superb orchestral playing.
Handel/RPO files from February 2012. In the South/Overture: 29 October 2009 post: re-edited.    Sleeve-notes  / SED 5516 scan >>>

Quintetto Chigiano play... Dvorak. Piano Quintet - Decca 1950

Antonin Dvorak:
Piano Quintet in A major, op.81  
I: Allegro ma non troppo  ~  II: Dumka (Andante con moto)  ~  III: Scherzo (Furiant)  ~  IV: Finale (Allegro)

2 files zip WAV  ZS Download
Quintetto Chigiano:    
Riccardo Brengola & Mario Benvenuti, violins - Giovanni Leone, viola - Lino Filippini, 'cello - Sergio Lorenzi, piano

Decca  LXT 2519    1951 pressing. Matrices: ARL341 -3A / ARL342-4B    Recorded: 12-13 April 1950 -  Decca West Hampstead Studios
Slight de-click + Re-EQ.   Another splendid  Not on CD  performance...    EMG review/sleeve-note >>>

The Boskovsky Quartet play... Dvorak. String Quartet 3 - Decca 1951

Antonin Dvorak:
String Quartet no.3 in E flat major, op.51  
I: Allegro ma non troppo  ~  II: Dumka (Andante con moto - Vivace)  ~  III: Romance (Andante con moto)  ~  IV: Finale (Allegro assai).

2 files zip FLAC  ZS Download  
The Boskovsky Quartet:   
Willi Boskovsky, violin - Philipp Matheis, violin - Gunther Breitenbach, viola - Nikolaus Hubner, 'cello

Decca  LXT 2601    1952 LP/1951 Matrices: ARL 793 -1A / ARL 794 -1A     Recorded: c.March 1951 - Brahmssaal, Vienna
(Mint LP: Very lightly 'de-clicked': mvt.3 has a few slight traces of 'scrape/swish').   Not on CD  (April 2013:  480 4715)
EMG review/sleeve-note  >>> 

George Malcolm... J.S.Bach recital / "Mr Malcolm Goes to Town" - Decca 1961/2

J. S. Bach:   Side One:  Chromatic Fantasia and Fugue in D minor,  BWV 903   /    Italian Concerto in F major,  BWV 971 
Side Two:  Toccata and Fugue in D major,  BWV 912    /     French Suite No.5 in G major,  BWV 816          2 files zip FLAC  HF Download

Decca  SDD 272  (original issue SXL 2259)   1972 LP/matrices: ZAL 4894 -3W / ZAL 4895 -2W  
Recorded: Side One: 30 January 1959 / Side Two: 24/25 March 1960 - West Hampstead Studios 2/1

Templeton:  Bach Goes to Town    /    Malcolm:  Bach Before the Mast    //    Paradies:  Toccata   /    Daquin:  The Cuckoo    /    Rimsky-Korsakov (arr: Malcolm):  The Flight of the Bumble-Bee
Decca  CEP 5502 (mono)  1962 45 EP/matrices: EFF 2499 / 2500 -1C         2 files zip FLAC  ZS Download
Recorded:  24/25 March 1960 - West Hampstead Studio 1             George Malcolm, harpsichord

SDD 272 mastered @ a low-level: additionally, here is the excellent  Chromatic Fantasia - ZS Download  - noise-reduced by almost the tiniest amount + some 50hz hum eradication: but, already, the clarity/speed of the sound has been degraded: this is 'pro' software.   Sleeve-notes >>>

Puccini. La Boheme - Beecham - RCA 1956 / Jussi Bjorling recital - RCA/Decca 1957

Rudolpho, a poet.................... Jussi Bjorling,  Tenor    
Marcello, a painter..................... Robert Merrill,  Baritone
Schaunard, a musician.................... John Reardon,  Baritone
Colline, philosopher........................... Giorgio Tozzi,  Bass
Benoit, the landlord / Alcindoro, a state counsellor...... Fernando Corena,  Bass
Mimi, a seamstress................................ Victoria de los Angeles,  Soprano
Musetta, a grisette.................................... Lucine Amara,  Soprano
Parpignol, a toy vendor.................................. William Nahr,  Tenor
A Customs Officer........................................... Thomas Powell,  Baritone
A Sergeant....................................................... George del Monte,  Baritone
Columbus Boychoir (director: Herbert Huffman)  ~  Chorus (chorus master: Thomas Martin)
RCA Victor Orchestra  conducted by  Sir Thomas Beecham
RCA Victor  LM 6042 1/2  1957 USA LP's/matrices: G2RP3580 -1S/3581 -1S/3582 -7S/3583 -3S  (A1/B1/A1/A2)  Rec: 16/17/30 March & 1-3/5/6 April 1956 - Manhattan Center, N.Y.
Complete Opera:  4 files zip FLAC   HF Download         Act 1 / Act 2:  2 files zip WAV    HF Download           Act 3 / Act 4:  2 files zip WAV   HF Download

Ponchielli: "La Gioconda" - Cielo e mar!  /  Puccini: "La Fanciulla del West" - Ch’ella mi creda  /  Giordano: "Fedora" - Amor ti vieta.
Cilea: "L’Arlesiana" - E la solita storia  /  Verdi: "Un Ballo in Maschera" - Di' tu se fidele  /  Puccini: "Manon Lescaut" - Tra voi belle  
Jussi Bjorling  with  Maggio Musicale Fiorentino Orchestra  conducted by  Alberto Erede                                    2 files zip FLAC   ZS Download
RCA  SB 2011   STEREO   1959 Decca pressing/matrix: J2RY3029/D -2K    Recorded: Aug./Sept.1957 - Teatro Pergola, Florence               EMG 1957/1959 reviews >>>

Helen Watts -&- Thurston Dart. "Songs for Courtiers & Cavaliers" - L'Oiseau-Lyre 1956

Caccini:  Dolcissimo sospiro  ~  Calestani:  Damigella tutta bella ~ Folgorate  ~  Cifra:  In quel gelato core  ~  Grandi:  Vientene, o mia crudel
d'India:  Infelice Didone ~ Torna il sereni zeffiro        2 files zip WAV   ZS Download

Henry Lawes:  A Complaint against Cupid ~ No constancy in man ~ An eccho ~ Tavola: In quel gelato core ~ Parting ~ Dissuasion from presumption ~ Sufferance ~ Among rosebuds ~ A lady to a young courtier ~ I prithee send me back my heart
Hymns to the Holy Trinity: Hymn to God the Father ~ Hymn to God the Son ~ Hymn to God the Holy Ghost       2 files zip WAV   ZS Download

Helen Watts, Contralto  - with  Thurston Dart, harpsichord -&- chamber organ
L'Oiseau-Lyre  OL 50128   c.1964 LP/1956 matrices: TT 379 -1B / TT 380 -1B   Recorded: c.June 1956 - Decca West Hampstead Studios ??
A very fine (and well recorded) recital - the 'Didone' lament is splendid - as are Crofts 'Hymns'.      Not on CD       Sleeve-note >>>

Otto Klemperer conducts... Brahms. Symphonies 1 & 4 - Columbia 1957

Johannes Brahms:  Symphony no.1 in C minor, op.68
I:  Un poco sostenuto - Allegro   ~  II:  Andante sostenuto  ~  III:  Un poco allegretto e grazioso   ~  IV: Adagio - Allegro non troppo, ma con brio
2 files zip FLAC   uploaded soon/later
HMV  SXLP 30217  (originally Columbia SAX 2262: the original 1958/9 matrices sound less good) 1982 LP/1976 matrices: YAX 24 -18 / YAX 25 -10

Johannes Brahms:  Symphony no.4 in E minor, op.98
I:  Allegro non troppo   ~  II:  Andante moderato  ~  III:  Allegro giocoso  ~  IV:  Allegro energico e passionato
2 files zip FLAC   ZS Download
Columbia  SAX 2350  Original 1960 pressing/matrices: YAX 269 -2 / YAX 270 -2
The Philharmonia Orchestra  conducted by  Otto Klemperer 
Rec:  Sym.1: 29/31 Oct. + 1 Nov.1956 + 28 March 1957 ~ Sym.4: 27-29 March 1957, Kingsway Hall.
 'Mr Pristine's' 'new/bargain' version: it's... Amazing how Cheap he can sell El-Cheapo 1970's EMI box sets... his Sym.4 mvt.1 sample
- and listening to the RH channel only discloses a very weird 'phasey' sound (not to mention the 'usual' jacked-up treble...)...
[Apparently (see RMCR thread) it has very poor phase stability @c.26% - whereas even my 'slightly defective' initial transfer of Brahms 4 is @ 87%!!]      
Sleeve-notes, etc >>>

Elgar. Symphony 2 - Halle / Barbirolli - HMV 1954

Sir Edward Elgar:  
Symphony no.2 in E flat, op.63     
Side 1.   I:  Allegro vivace e nobilemente  ~  II:  Largetto    //   Side 2.   III:  Rondo (Presto)  ~  IV:  Moderato e maestoso.            
The Halle Orchestra  conducted by  Sir John Barbirolli                2 files zip FLAC  ZS Download
HMV  ALP 1242  1962 pressing. Matrices: 2XEA 645 -6N / 2XEA 646 -6N.    Recorded: 8-9 June 1954 -  Free Trade Hall, Manchester
Funfair: "...the ultimate showcase for Pristine, whose raison d’être is Ultimate Sound Quality....Sound is remarkable.."    No Kidding, Barnaby Rayfield....and it becomes 'Remarkable' with the added treble-fizz/hazy reverb - not to mention indistinct/discoloured woodwind??
Compare the woodwind from 2'40" of  Mr Pristine's mvt.3 sample     Even a MusicWeb reviewer noticed the 'glassiness'..
Based on the superiority of the 1977 John Barbirolli Society RVW Sym 7 (SJB100 - PYE mastered/pressing) compared to the HMV ALP - then their 1978? reissue of this could have provided a better 'source'..  1957 EMG review >>>     (Boult's 1944 BBC SO recording is on  HISTORICAL)

Robert Irving / New SO - Gluck -&- Gretry: Ballet Suites - Decca 1955

Christoph Gluck:  Ballet Suite no.1   (arr: Felix Mottl)
Introduction ("Don Juan") -  Air gai ~ Lento ~ Air gai  ("Iphigenie en Aulide") ~ Dance of the Blessed Spirits  ("Orfeo ed Euridice") ~ Musette  ("Armide") - Air gai  ("Iphigenie en Aulide") ~ Siciliene  ("Armide") ~ Air gai  ("Iphigenie en Aulide").    ZS Download

Andre Gretry:  Ballet Suite   (arr: Constant Lambert)
Largo - Andante ~ Gigue legere ~ Pantomime ~ Passepied ~ Largo ~ Pantomime ~ Tambourin ~ Loure ~ Air lent ~ Passepied ~ Gavotte ~ Finale.  
ZS Download

Geoffrey Gilbert  (flute solo)  The New Symphony Orchestra of London   conducted by  Robert Irving
Decca LXT 5063   1959 Matrices: ARL 2519 -5Nr / ARL 2520 -4Nr     Recorded: 14/15 February 1955, Kingsway Hall.
21 April 2010 post: Re-edited Oct.2012     Not on CD       WAV files        Sleeve-note >>>

Pierre-Michel Le Conte - Massenet. Le Cid -&- Scenes Napolitaines / Bizet. Jolie Fille de Perth - Parlophone 1958

Massenet: "Le Cid" - Ballet Music  
(Castillane ~ Andalouse ~ Aragonaise ~ Aubade ~ Catalane ~ Madrilene ~ Navaraisse)     ZS Download

Massenet: "Scenes Napolitaines"   (La danse ~ La procession ~ La fete)     ZS Download

Bizet: "La Jolie Fille de Perth"  - suite  (Prelude ~ Serenade ~ Marche ~ Danse Bohemienne)     ZS Download

Orchestre du Theatre National de L'Opera, Paris  conducted by  Pierre-Michel Le Conte
Parlophone  PMC 1051     Original 1958 pressing/matrices: XAR 3 -1N / XAR 4 -1N       
Very Scarce    Not on CD      WAV files        Sleeve-note >>>

Leopold Ludwig / Hamburg Opera - Wagner. Lohengrin -&- Die Meistersinger - Ducretet-Thomson 1955

Richard Wagner:  "Lohengrin"
Prelude      /      Prelude, Act.3  &  Bridal Chorus      /     "In Fermen Land"  - Walter Geisler, Tenor     

Richard Wagner:  "Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg"
Prelude      /      Prelude, Act.3       /      "Wahnmonolog"  - James Pease, Baritone
"Prize Song"  - Walter Geisler, Tenor                                                                   7 files zip:  FLAC: HF Download      WAV: HF Download
Chorus & Orchestra of the Hamburg Opera  conducted by  Leopold Ludwig     
Ducretet-Thomson  DTL 93054    Original 1956 Decca pressing/matrices:  ADU 107 -1B / ADU 108 -1B    Rec: ('live performances') 1955  - France  
Very Scarce    Not on CD      (slight 'bubbly' tape-noises are sometimes audible)          Sleeve-note / EMG review >>>       

Antony Hopkins / Boyd Neel Orchestra - De Lalande. Te Deum -&- Confitemini - L'Oiseau-Lyre 1957

Michel-Richard de Lalande:

Te Deum      HF Download

Confitemini      HF Download
 
Heather Harper, Eileen McLoughlin, Sopranos  ~  John Whitworth, Counter-tenor  ~  Leslie Fyson, Tenor  ~  James Atkins, Bass  
The St Anthony Singers  ~  Desmond Dupre, viola da gamba  ~  Eric Halfpenny, serpent  ~  Thurston Dart, organ continuo
Boyd Neel Orchestra  conducted by  Antony Hopkins
L'Oiseau-Lyre  OL 50153   1957 matrices: TT 411 -1B / TT 412 -1B      Recorded: c.1956/7                                   FLAC files
10 April 2010 files re-edited Sept.2012       Not on CD     Sleeve-note / 1957 EMG review >>>      

Thurston Dart: Maurice Andre, Jean Pirot, a.o. - "The Royal Brass Music of King James I" - L'Oiseau-Lyre 1960

Side One:  Band 1:  Thomas Simpson: Intrada  ~  James Harding: Almande  ~  Antony Holborne: The Fairy Round   ZS Download
Side One:  Bands 2 + 3:  Thomas Leetherland: Pavan  ~  Nicholas Guy: Almande no.13  ~  Holborne: The Choice  // 
Jerome Bassano: Fantasia  ~  Giles Farnaby: Almande  ~  Holborne: Galliard    HF Download
Side Two:  Bands 1-3:  Robert Johnson: Almande no.7  ~  Holborne: As it fell on a holy eve  ~  Giovanni Coperario: Fantasia no.76  ~   
Alfonso Ferrabosco II: Almande no.5  //  Richard Dering: Fantasia  ~  Thomas Lupo: Almande  ~  Anthony Bassano: Pavane no.16  //  
Holborne: The fruit of love  ~  Ferrabosco II: Pavane -&- Alman    HF Download
Maurice Andre, Jean Pirot, trumpets -&-  Maurice Suzan, Henri Arque, Camille Verdier, Bernard Gallot, trombones        
Directed by  Thurston Dart    L'Oiseau-Lyre  SOL 60019   Original pressing/matrices: ZTT 451 -1D / ZTT 452 -2D    Recorded: c.1958 - France
STEREO FLAC files   Jan.2011 files re-edited     Not on CD     Sleeve-note / 1960 EMG review >>>

Anthony Lewis conducts... Purcell. "Come Ye Sons of Art" / "The Tempest", Trumpet Sonata, etc - L'Oiseau-Lyre 1953/1958

Henry Purcell:  "Come Ye Sons of Art" - Ode for the Birthday of Queen Mary II  (1694)               WAV  HF Download
Margaret Ritchie, Soprano ~ Alfred Deller, Counter-tenor ~ John Whitworth, Counter-tenor ~ Bruce Boyce, Baritone
Ruggero Gerlin, harpsichord  ~ The St.Anthony Singers  & L'Ensemble Orchestral de L'Oiseau-Lyre  conducted by  Anthony Lewis
L'Oiseau-Lyre  OL 50166   1958 matrix: TT 455 -1L     Recorded: Paris, 1953.  (1954 10" LP: DL 53004)

Henry Purcell:  "The Tempest"
'Arise ye subterranean winds'   ~  'Aeolus, you must appear'   (Hervey Alan, Bass)   
'Your awful voice I hear'  ~  'See, see, the Heavens smile'   (William Herbert, Tenor)

"The Tempest":  'Halcyon days'   /  "Diocletian": 'What shall I do'   (Jennifer Vyvyan, Soprano)     
3 files zip FLAC  HF Download
Sonata in D for Trumpet & Strings   (Dennis Egan, trumpet)  

"The Virtuous Wife":  (March ~ Minuet I ~ Minuet II)   /  Chacony in G minor       2 files zip FLAC  HF Download
Philomusica of London  conducted by  Anthony Lewis  
L'Oiseau-Lyre  SOL 60002   Original 1958  STEREO LP   Matrices: ZTT 481 -1K / ZTT 482 -2K   Recorded: 1958.      Not on CD      Sleeve-notes >>>

Thurston Dart -&- Granville Jones / Philomusica - Handel. Water Music / Lute+Harp Concerti / Alexander's Feast - L'Oiseau-Lyre 1959

G. F. Handel:  "The Water Music"    Suite no.1 in F  (part 1)     /    Suite no.1 in F  (part 2)  ~  Suite no.2 in G  ~  Suite no.3 in D   
Philomusica of London  directed by  Thurston Dart     2 files zip FLAC  HF Download
L'Oiseau-Lyre  SOL 60010   Original 1959 LP/matrices: ZTT 509 -2M / ZTT 510 -1M   Recorded: c.1959

Lute & Harp Concerto in B flat major, op.4/6      I:  Andante - Allegro  ~  II:  Larghetto  ~  III:  Allegro moderato    FLAC:  HF Download       WAV: HF Download

Harp Concerto in F major, op.4/5        I:  Larghetto  ~  II:  Allegro  ~  III:  Alla Sicilana  ~  IV:  Presto      
WAV:  HF Download

Concerto Grosso in C major.  "Alexander's Feast"    Allegro  ~  Adagio  ~   Allegro  ~   Andante, con Presto 

FLAC:  HF Download      WAV:  HF Download

Desmond Dupre, lute  ~ Osian Ellis, harp  ~ Carl Pini  &  Neville Marriner, violins  ~ Joy Hall, 'cello  ~ Thurston Dart, organ & harpsichord.    

Philomusica of London  directed by  Granville Jones              L'Oiseau-Lyre  SOL 60013   Original 1960 LP/matrices: ZTT 515 -2S / ZTT 516 -1S  

Recorded: A/B: 8 June 1959 - Decca West Hampstead Studio 3 / C: 2 June 1959 - Watford Town Hall.  STEREO files    Sleeve-notes >>>   

Karl Munchinger - Liszt. Mazeppa -&- Hamlet / Mozart. Violin Concertos (Ferras) - Decca 1954

Franz Liszt:  "Mazeppa"     HF Download
Franz Liszt:  "Hamlet"       HF Download
Paris Conservatoire Orchestra  conducted by  Karl Munchinger.
Decca  ECS 702   (originally mono LXT 5142)    Matrix: ZAL 12248 -1L    Recorded: La Maison de la Mutualite, Paris, 27/28 September 1954

W.A. Mozart:  Violin Concerto no.3 in G major, K.216    I: Allegro  ~  II: Adagio  ~  III: Rondo (Allegro)     HF Download
attrib. Mozart:  Violin Concerto no.6 (7) in E flat major, K.268     HF Download
I: Allegro moderato  ~  II: Un poco adagio  ~  III: Rondo (Allegretto)
Christian Ferras, violin  - Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra  conducted by  Karl Munchinger      STEREO FLAC files   (Re-edited Aug.2012)
Decca  ECS 697   (originally mono LXT 5044)    Matrices: ZAL 2391 -1A / ZAL 2392 -1A     Recorded: Victoria Hall, Geneva, Oct/Nov 1954

Anatole Fistoulari -&- Roger Desormiere / Paris Conservatoire - Tchaikovsky. Nutcracker -&- Sleeping Beauty suites - Decca 1951

 

Peter Tchaikovsky:  "The Nutcracker", op.71      Suite no.1:   Minature overture ~ March ~ Dance of the Sugar-Plum Fairy ~ Russian Dance ~ Arab Dance ~ Chinese Dance ~ Dance of the Mirlitons ~ Waltz of the Flowers      HF Download

Suite no.2:  Scene (Act.1) & Coda ~ Pas de deux ~ Scene & Grandfather Dance ~ Pas de deux ~ Waltz of the Snowflakes ~ Scene (Act.2) ~ Spanish Dance ~ Final Waltz & Apotheosis      HF Download

Decca  LXT 5371  (first issue: LXT 2611)  1957 matrices: ARL 901 -4Dr / ARL 902 -5Dr  

Peter Tchaikovsky: "The Sleeping Beauty", op.66     Suite: Introduction (Prologue) ~ Finale, Act.1 (The Lilac Fairy) ~ Pas d'action, Act.2 ~ Pas de caractere  (Puss in Boots & the White Cat), Act.3 ~ Panorama, Act.2 ~ Valse, Act.3      HF Download
Decca  ACL 8   (first issue: LXT 2610)  1958 pressing/matrix: ARL 899 -3Er  
Paris Conservatoire Orchestra  conducted by  Anatole Fistoulari  -&-  Roger Desormiere                         WAV files
Recorded: La Maison de la Mutualite, Paris - 21-23 June & 15-20 June 1951    Re-edited May 2012    LXT 5371 sleeve-note / ACL 8 sleeve >>>

Robert Irving / Philharmonia - Tchaikovsky. Swan Lake - HMV 1953

Peter Tchaikovsky:
"Swan Lake", op.20 - excerpts (54 minutes)   
Side One.   Act One:  Scene  ~  Valse  ~  Sujet  ~  Danses des coupes  /  Act Two: Scene  ~  Danses des cygnes     HF Download
Side Two.  Act Three:  Danse hongroise  ~  Danse espagnole  ~  Danse napolitaine  ~  Mazurka  ~  Pas de deux  ~  Scene  /  
Act Four: Entr'acte  ~  Scene  ~  Danses des petits cygnes  ~  Scene  ~  Scene finale.     HF Download

The Philharmonia Orchestra  conducted by  Robert Irving   
HMV  CLP 1018.   1959 pressing / matrices: 2XEA 398 -4N  /  2XEA 399 -3N.     Recorded: 4 May 1953 - Kingsway Hall.      WAV files   
Re-edited April 2012  (Minimal residual 'surface noises' are still apparent).  Gorgeous playing.....and sound!    Sleeve-note >>>

Bruno Walter / New York Philharmonic - Mahler. Symphony 1 - CBS 1954

Gustav Mahler:  Symphony no.1 in D major
I:  Langsam  ~  II:  Kraftig Bewegt    
III:  Feierlich und Gemessen  ~  IV:  Sturmisch Bewegt
FLAC:  HF Download

The Philharmonic-Symphony Orchestra of New York  conducted by  Bruno Walter

Philips  ABL 3222   Philips UK mastered/1959 pressing - Matrices: AA 01150 -1L =7  /  AA 01150 -2L  =5
Recorded: 25 January 1954 - Carnegie Hall, New York
June 2010 WAV files extensively re-edited August 2012.  Now as a single-file    Sleeve-note >>>

Antal Dorati / Minneapolis - Rimsky-Korsakov. Scheherazade - Mercury 1952

Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov:  
"Scheherazade",  Symphonic suite, op.35.      
I: The Sea & Sinbad's Ship  ~  II: The Tale of the Kalandar Prince
III:  The Young Prince & the Young Princess  ~
IV:  Festival of Baghdad.  The Sea.  The Ship goes to pieces on a Rock surmounted by a Bronze Warrior.  Conclusion.
FLAC  ZS Download            WAV  HF Download

Rafael Druian, violin  - Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra  conducted by  Antal Dorati
EMI / Mercury  MMA 11022   1959 re-issue  (John Johnson  transfers).   Recorded: 27-29 April 1952 - Northrop Auditorium, Minneapolis.  
August 2010 files -  re-edited January 2012     Sleeve-note (text)>>>

Irma Kolassi / LPO - de Froment: Chausson -&- Ravel / Debussy / Greek Folk Songs - Decca 1954/1955

Maurice Ravel:  Cinq melodies populaires greques.
(Chanson de la mariee ~ La-bas vers d'eglise ~ Quell galant m'est comparable ~  Chanson des cueilleusses de lentisques ~ Tout gal)
with  Jacqueline Bonneau, piano  From: LW 5246   Recorded: 2/3 December 1955 - West Hampstead Studios
Maurice Ravel:  Chansons madecasses.  (Nahandove ~ Aoua! ~ Il est doux)

with  Geoffrey Gilbert, flute  -  William Pleeth, 'cello  -  Andre Collard, piano    From: Decca LW 5246

Debussy:  Fetes galantes: En sourdine ~ Fantoches  /  Trois chansons de Bilitis: La Flute de Pan ~ La Chevelure ~ La Tombeau des naiades    

with  Andre Collard, piano   From: Decca LW 5161   Rec: 27 Sept.-1 Oct.1954 - West Hampstead Studios.   4 files zip WAV  ZS Download

Ernest Chausson:  Poeme de l'amour et de la mer  (La fleur des eaux ~ Interlude ~ La Mort d'amour)     

London Philharmonic Orchestra  conducted by  Louis de Froment
Recorded: 9-10 May 1955 - Kingsway Hall.  (Decca LX 3150)         WAV    ZS Download        HF Download
Decca 'Grandi Voci'  417 559    Issued 1987.  Matrices: ARL 19113 -1K / ARL 19114 -1K

Eight Greek Folksongs:  (with  Andre Collard, piano)
Side One:  The Little Lamb ~ The spring under the plane tree ~ Rinaki ~ The price of a kiss              
Side Two:  Sirtos from Paros ~ The Priest's wife ~ Cradle song ~ Dourou Dourou        2 files zip WAV  ZS Download
Decca  LW 5129  (10")  1954 pressing.  Matrices: TRL 297 -2B / TRL 298 -1B    Recorded: 26/28 May 1954 - West Hampstead Studios.    

Files Re-edited: March 2012.   Greek Folksongs sleeve-note >>>

Puccini. La Tosca - Arturo Basile - Cetra 1955

Floria Tosca............................ Gigliola Frazzoni,  Soprano
Mario Cavaradossi........................ Ferruccio Tagliavini,  Tenor
Il barone Scarpia.............................. Giangiacomo Guelfi,  Baritone 
Il Sagristano...................................... Alfredo Mariotti,  Bass
Cesare Angelotti.................................... Antonio Zerbini,  Bass
Spoletta................................................ Vittorio Pandano,  Tenor
Sciarrone  /   Un carceriere ........................... Alberto Albertini,  Baritone
Un pastore.................................................. Editta Amedeo,  Soprano
Chorus & Orchestra of Radiotelevisione Italiana, Torino  conducted by  Arturo Basile       Complete Opera  3 file zip FLAC  HF Download
Concert Hall  CM 2286 A/B   (from Cetra OLPC1261 1-2)  1964 Philips UK masters/pressings.     Recorded: 12 October 1955 (?), Turin

Collins / Beinum - London Philharmonic: Bizet/Falla -&- Tchaikovsky/Bizet/Mozart/Handel - Decca 1950

Bizet: "Carmen" - suite  (Act 1: Prelude ~ Act 4: Entr'acte ~ Act 2: Entr'acte ~ Act 3: Entr'acte ~ Act 3: Scene des Contrebandiers ~ Act 1: La garde montante ~ Act 2: Danse boheme)     HF Download
Decca  ACL 9   1958 matrix: ARL 280 -1Dr  (First issue: LXT 2510)    Recorded : 3 Feb 1950

Falla: "El Amor Brujo"- suite  (Introduction & Scene - Dance of Terror ~ The Magic Circle ~ Ritual Fire Dance ~ Pantomime & Finale)
HF Download
Decca  ACL 124   1961 matrix: ARL 5032 -1A   (First issue: LXT 2518)    Recorded: 4 Feb 1950
London Philharmonic Orchestra  conducted by  Anthony Collins

Tchaikovsky: "Romeo and Juliet" - Fantasy Overture in B minor      HF Download
Decca  ACL 11   1958 matrix: ARL 271 -3Dr   (First issue: LXT 2531)    Recorded : 12 Jan 1950

Bizet: L’Arlesienne - suite 1:  Prelude ~ Menuetto ~ Adagietto ~ Farandole      HF Download
Decca  ACL 9   Matrix: ARL 281 -2Dr   (First issue: LXT 2510)    Recorded : 11 Feb 1950

Mozart: Symphony no.35 in D major, K.385  “Haffner”    I:  Allegro con spirito  ~  II:  Andante  ~  III:  Minuetto & Trio  ~  IV:  Finale: Presto    
HF Download
Decca  ACL 66   1959 matrix: ARL 4526 -1A   (First issue: LXT 2534)    Recorded : 1 May 1950

Handel (arr: Hamilton Harty): "Water Music" - suite  (Allegro - Air - Bouree - Hornpipe - Andante expressivo - Allegro deciso)    HF Download
Decca  LXT 5379  1957 matrix: ARL 367 -3Dr  (First issue: LXT 2534)    Recorded : 5 May 1950  
London Philharmonic Orchestra  conducted by  Eduard van Beinum                                       WAV files     ACL sleeves/LXT sleeve-notes >>>

Wilhelm Furtwangler / Vienna Philharmonic - Brahms. Symphony 1 - EMI 1952

Johannes Brahms:  Symphony no.1 in C minor, op.68
I:  Un poco sostenuto - Allegro  ~  II:  Andante sostenuto     HF Download
III:  Un poco allegretto e grazioso  ~  IV:  Adagio - Allegro non troppo, ma con brio     HF Download

Wiener Philharmoniker  conducted by  Wilhelm Furtwangler
HMV  ED 270124 1   1985 German EMI pressing/matrices: A-4 / B-4.          WAV files 
Live recording: 27 January 1952 - Grosser Saal, Musikverein, Vienna.    German/English Sleeve-note >>>
Compare this to the identical LP   sample mp3 - of mvt.1  on  Mr Pristines site >>>   "glorious and so transformed">>> .....???  
"....but now we hear them in Andrew Rose's meticulous remastering.....  Don't miss these performances, now to be heard in the highest quality restoration. " - R.E.B., Classical CD Review, July 2012"... Wonder why my Brahms Symphony 1 transfer sounds So Superior, Mr Barnett....

Antal Dorati / Minneapolis SO - Respighi. Feste Romane -&- Church Windows - Mercury 1955

Ottorino Respighi:
Feste Romane   (Circenses ~ Giubileo ~ L’Ottobrata ~ La Befana)       HF Download
Vetrate di Chiesa   (La fuga in Egitto ~ San Michele Arcangelo ~ Il Mattutino di Santa Chiara ~ San Gregorio Magno)       HF Download

Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra   conducted by  Antal Dorati                                                        WAV files
PYE / Mercury  MRL 2002    1956 pressing - MG-50045 'YMG' matrices.   Recorded: 20 November 1954. 
(The end of 'Feste Romane' has tape (etc) congestion: have also slightly increased the volume)      
MMA 11095 - the 1960 EMI release - has inherently quieter vinyl - but that Mercury transfer has less dynamic-range.     Sleeve-note  >>>  
'Mr Pristine's' EMI transfer: 'sample mp3' (PASC194) - begins @ 5:27 on the Chiesa file >>>      

Gerard Souzay / New SO / Bonneau - French Operatic Arias - Decca 1956

Rameau:  "Les indes galantes"  - Soleil, on a detruit tes superbes asiles
Gounod:  "Philemon et Baucis"  - Berceuse: Que les songes sont heureux  /  Gounod:  "Romeo et Juliette"  - Ballade de la reine Mab  

Berlioz:  "La Damnation de Faust"  - Chanson de la puce  -&-  Serenade de Mephistopheles
Bizet:  "La jolie Fille de Perth"  - Quand la flamme de l'amour   /   Bizet:  "Les Pecheurs de perles"  - L'orage s'est calme

Massenet:  "Le Jongleur de Notre Dame"  - Legende de la Sauge    /     Offenbach:  "Les Contes d'Hoffman"  - C'est moi, Coppelius
Chabrier:  "Le Roi malgre lui"  - Romance du Roi      

Gerard Souzay, Baritone   - New Symphony Orchestra of London  conducted by  Paul Bonneau            3 files zip FLAC   HF Download
Decca  'Grandi Voci'  414 613    Issued 1986 (originally in LXT 5269)        Recorded: 9-10 April & 9-10 July 1956  - Kingsway Hall

Paul Schoeffler recital - Mozart / Verdi / Wagner - Decca 1950

Wagner:  "Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg"  - Fliedermonolog  &  Wahnmonolog
Paul Schoeffler, Bass-Baritone  - Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra  conducted by  Hans Knappertsbusch   
First issue:1951. Decca  LXT 2560-1 (Act 2)   Recorded: 2-9 September 1950  
Mozart:  "Le Nozze di Figaro"  - Non piu andrai   /  "Don Giovanni"  - Madamina, il catalogo  
Verdi:  "Otello"  - Era la notte  &  Credo in un dio crudel  
Wagner:  "Die Walküre"  - Wotan’s Farewell & Magic Fire Music  
4 files zip FLAC  HF Download           4 files zip WAV   ZS Download
with  Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra  conducted by  Karl Bohm  &  Rudolf Moralt (Wagner)      1951: Decca  LXT 2554  Rec: 14/15 Sept.1950
Decca  'Grandi Voci'   411 660    1984 LP/matrices: ARL 12751 -4A / ARL 12752 -4A.            Ljuba Welitsch - Decca 1950 - on HISTORICAL

Karl Munchinger / Stuttgart CO - J.S. Bach / Vivaldi / Mozart / Haydn - Decca 1949-1951

Johann Sebastian Bach:  Orchestral Suites        No. 2  in B minor for Flute, Strings & Continuo,  BWV 1067       HF Download
Overture ~ Rondeau ~ Sarabande ~ Bouree I & II ~ Polonaise ~ Menuet ~ Badinerie   - Andre Pepin  (Flute)  &  Doris Rossiaud  (Continuo)
No. 3  in D major,  BWV 1068   Overture ~ Air ~ Gavotte no.1 ~ Gavotte no.2 ~  Bouree ~ Gigue     HF Download      
Decca  ACL 29  - 1958 Matrices: ARL 1729 - 1Dr / ARL 1728 -1Dr
W.A.Mozart:  Serenade in G, K.525 - “Eine Kleine Nachtmusik”          /       W.A.Mozart:  Divertimento in D, K.136  (K125a)  
Josef Haydn:  Symphony no.45 in F sharp minor - “Farewell”      I: Allegro assai  ~  II: Adagio  ~  III: Minuet & Trio (Allegretto)  ~  IV: Finale: Presto - Adagio    

Decca  ACL 96   1960 LP/matrices: ARL 4774 -1A / ARL 1077 -4A                     3 files zip FLAC  HF Download

Antonio Vivaldi:  "The Four Seasons" - op.8 / 1-4      Spring: Allegro  ~  Largo  ~  Allegro   /   Summer: Allegro non molto  ~  Adagio  ~  Presto     HF Download

Autumn: Allegro  ~  Adagio molto  ~ Allegro   /   Winter: Allegro non molto  ~  Largo  ~  Allegro     HF Download           
Decca  ACL 91   1960 LP  c.1958 LXT matrices: ARL 791 -3Dr / ARL 792 -3Dr

Reinhold Barchet, violin  ~ The Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra  conducted by  Karl Munchinger       (Haydn Sym. 45 with wind players from  Suisse Romande Orchestra)
Recorded circa: Oct.1950 & Nov.1949 / March 1951 / Oct.1951 / March '51  - Victoria Hall, Geneva      WAV files     Not on CD     Sleeve-notes >>>

Boyd Neel conducts... Handel. Water Music - Decca 1954

G. F. Handel:  
"The Water Music"   (Arnold edition)     HF Download

Side One: Overture - Adagio e staccato - Allegro - Andante - Moderato - Air - Bouree & Hornpipe 
Side Two: Allegro molto - Allegro - Minuet - Aria - Lentement - Allegro - Minuet - Coro - Air - Hornpipe    
The Boyd Neel Orchestra  conducted by  Boyd Neel  
Decca  ACL 19  (originally LXT2988)   1958 pressing/matrices: ARL 2996 -1Dr / ARL 2997 -1Dr   Rec: 21 July 1954 -  West Hampstead Studios.
FLAC file     Not on CD                    

Enrique Jorda / New SO - Dvorak. Symphony 9 - Decca 1951

Antonin Dvorak:  
Symphony no.9 in E minor, op.95  ('From the New World')   

I:  Adagio - Allegro molto  ~  II:  Largo
III: Scherzo (Molto vivace)  ~  IV:  Allegro con fuoco  
FLAC    HF Download
New Symphony Orchestra of London  conducted by  Enrique Jorda.
Decca  ACL 18   (originally LXT 2608)  1959 LP.  Matrices: ARL 883 -3Dr / ARL 884 -4Dr
Recorded: 2 July 1951 - Kingsway Hall       Slightly re-edited August 2012 - now as a single file.    Not on CD

Herbert von Karajan / Vienna Philharmonic - Johann Strauss. Die Fledermaus: Gala Sequence - Decca 1960 / Overtures, Waltzes, Polkas - Decca/RCA 1959

Johann Strauss II:  "Die Fledermaus"  - Overture   /  Ballet Music  (with Vienna State Opera Chorus)   2 files zip WAV  ZS Download
Gala Sequence: Part 1   Renata Tebaldi   ~  Fernando Corena  ~ Birgit Nilsson   ~  Mario del Monaco   ~   Teresa Berganza   ~  Joan Sutherland   /  Part 2   Jussi Bjorling   ~  Leontyne Price  ~  Giulietta Simionato  &  Ettore Bastianini  ~  Ljuba Welitsch
2 files zip FLAC  HF Download
Decca  SET 201-203   1960 LP's  Matrices: ZAL 4923 -4E / ZAL 4926 -1E / ZAL 4927 -1E.
Recorded: June/July 1960 - Sofiensaal, Vienna, also Rome & London.
The Gala Sequence was mastered at much lower-level than the main  recording: as is the SDD, below; levels there set for 'Auf der Jagd' climaxes: so 'Fledermaus' is much quieter compared to the 1960 version..

Johann Strauss II:  "Die Fledermaus" - overture    /    Johann Strauss II:  Annen Polka  &  Auf der Jagd
Josef Strauss:  Delirien - waltz    (really nice..)         
Johann Strauss II:  "Gipsy Baron" - overture    /     Johann Strauss II:  Tales from the Vienna Woods.       5 files zip FLAC  HF Download    
Decca  SDD 259   (RCA SB 2091)   1971 LP/matrices: ZAL 9925 -1W / ZAL 9926 -1W    Recorded: 7/8 April 1959 - Sofiensaal, Vienna 
Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra  conducted by  Herbert von Karajan.          STEREO  files  (Re-edited)          SDD 259 Sleeve-note >>>