Violin Concerto in D major, op.61
I: Allegro ma non troppo (Cadenza by Joachim) -Tempo 1 ~ II: Larghetto ~ III: Rondo -Allegro (Cadenza by Joachim) -Tempo 1
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Leonid Kogan, violin - Paris Conservatoire Orchestra conducted by Constantin Silvestri
EMI Classics For Pleasure CFP 139. 1970 reissue of Columbia SAX2386. Matrices: YLX1052/3 -5G. Recorded: 16+28 November 1959 - Salle Wagram, Paris.
Languid performance! Sleeve-note / EMG review / labels (+Silvestri's 1957-1963 EMG reviews + early CFP booklet..) >>>
Beautiful playing! Thank you so much for such a rare recording.
ReplyDeleteTechnically fine, indeed - however the EMG reviewer/s were unimpressed (that mvt.1 Joachim cadenza..) but looking at the Stereo Record Guide (5/7) it seems most versions are 'lacking' in various regards (have most: my first (not heard since) was 1971 Suk/Boult ASD).
DeleteThank you, Tin Ear! A very nice addition to your every growing library of classics!
DeleteI have the French Trianon reissue (matrix numbers YLX 1052-21F, 1053-21I), which sounds quite good, although I have not compared it with the CFP. Thank you for sharing that review above. It's always interesting, and often surprising, to read what the critics of the day had to say about these classic recordings. Funny how the original SAX still sells for a fortune on the auction market.
Given a quick wash it's remarkably silent-grooved.. Not particularly popular, thus far!
DeleteIf I collected the previous EMG mono-era reviews I suspect they were mostly pretty negative.
Was less than impressed by the Decca UK RCA Victrola Khachaturian VC (Boston/Monteux) - thought his playing was awful compared to Oistrakh's mono Angel/Melodiya.
Stupid SAX prices - last I saw was £2000+ years back: this is only 5 or so years after a last T/S SAX label pressing. The Lalo Espagnole is on CFP (+Tchaikovsky)....but thinking of uploading Oistrakh's 1960 6-Eye Sibelius VC (from a new/sealed copy)..
Tin Ear, thank you SO MUCH for posting these reviews! I cannot tell you how much I appreciate this. Although it seems like many of the reviews were pretty critical, they nonetheless offer an interesting window into what British critics thought about these recordings at the time.
DeleteDon't think I'd enjoy being A Discographer!
DeleteThanks. I have to agree with the reviewer. The orchestra sounds like a rough and willing red wine, sometimes overloading the recording, while Kogan is a beam of pure light. It sounds like they were recorded separately and pasted together. Probably if he'd had a better orchestra and better engineering/production this would be called one of the greatest performances ever. He is in total control, perfect tone, yet still human. I love these old reviews. No concern that if they give a bad review music itself will die. Not like today, when every recording gets at least 4 out of 5 because it's well recorded, well played and bland. I guess it was a living art back then, rather than on life support.
ReplyDeleteThe Salle Wagram was heavily used by EMI/Pathe-Marconi - and always seemed cavernous. Personally, I like the PCO; whilst aware it's somewhat 'rough-sounding'.
DeleteDoubtless there are finer Beethoven's. Mine go from 78's (Kreisler, Szigeti, Kulenkampff) through to Zimmerman (digital LP) - and still not heard most (just the 1926 Kreisler uploaded: on Historical blog - from HMV Treasury LP)