23 March 2024

24/48: Tchaikovsky. Violin Concerto - Alfredo Campoli / LSO / Ataulfo Argenta - Decca 1956

Peter Tchaikovsky
Violin Concerto in D major, op.35  
I:  Adagio moderato  ~  II:  Canzonetta (Andante)  ~  III: Allegro vivacissimo 

2 files 16/44 zip FLAC  Mega Download             2 files 24/48 zip XR FLAC  Mega Download

Alfredo Campoli, violin  - London Symphony Orchestra  conducted by  Ataulfo Argenta

London  CS 6011 (Decca SXL 2029). 1958 pressing/matrices: ZAL3456/7 -1E.  Recorded: 27-28 December 1956 - Kingsway Hall.   Sleeve-note/labels >>>

More Campoli: http://pristineclassics.blogspot.com/2015/07/2448-alfredo-campoli-plays-bruch-violin.html
The 1950 Ricci: http://pristineclassics.blogspot.com/2014/02/2496-tchaikovsky-violin-concerto.html


 

6 comments:

  1. Thank you, Tin Ear, for posting this! A wonderful recording by Campoli, and one of my favorite Tchaikovsky VC recordings. It's a shame I never had a good enough copy to provide a well informed review.

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    1. I said I'd gone-off (a bit) his playing style - but, technically, this is of interest - and very early 1958 pressed (my only 'pancake' with the original (mono) squared edge). The wide spacing allows a good portrayal of the dynamics (better than the SPA reissue c/w Paganini 1 movement concerto).

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  2. Thank you for this wonderful concerto-recording!

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    1. Glad you liked it! Came out pretty good (65+ yo pressing). His style tended to be regarded (US/UK reviews) as inappropriate for certain recordings; but this is rather nice. Have some more (but there's a recent Campoli CD set) on Decca pre 1970 LP's - Funnily, the 1961 Beethoven VC (EMI) got an enthusiastic 1979 CfP review - have that, too...only listened to bits-of as was contemplating dubbing the early CfP Leonid Kogan Beethoven + Mozart VC3/Mendelssohn - rather pricey as original's or latterday £*** LP's...

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    2. Thank you, Tin Ear for this wonderful download. I have long-regretted selling my London Treasury lp of this performance. I like the classic Reiner/Heifetz performance in many ways but Campoli IMHO projects an elegance that Heifetz misses, and the RCA recording is decent but not as remarkably "immersive" and "life-like as the Decca. A pity people have forgotten about the Campoli performance, based upon how little info comes up when Googled. Your download definitely captures the magic of Decca's early stereo as I heard it on Lp. Thanks again!

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    3. IMO it definitely surpasses (sonically) the SPA reissue -sounding somewhat 'master-tape'; though Decca really are a burden to transfer due to 'surface-noises' that can plague pre-1975 pressings.
      Though I disposed of numerous early stereo's some years back I still have many Ace of Diamond (SDD) with pre-1965 matrices - though just Campoli's Mendelssohn/Bruch (Boult) in that series, IIRC.
      Glad you liked it...perhaps I'll upload the Beethoven VC (RPO/Pritchard) mentioned above (either good/bad depending on the reviewer/s - not that I take much notice these days!).
      London STS included early stereo matrices never issued as SXL's - so possibly they retained an early Campoli CS transfer?

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