More of the music of Tchaikovsky (1840-1893)
More Records on Decca and London
- This stunning 2 LP set of Ansermet and the Suisse Romande‘s definitive performance boasts excellent Double Plus (A++) grades or close to them on all FOUR sides
- It’s also fairly quiet at Mint Minus Minus, a grade that even our most well-cared-for vintage classical titles have trouble playing at
- Lovely string tone and texture, rich bass, a big hall, lovely transparency – the sound here is hard to fault (particularly on sides one and two)
- That gorgeous clarinet says it all, so rich and Tubey Magical (also particularly on sides one and two) – few copies have that sound the way this copy does
- The miking is tasteful, with much less spotlighting than most of the classical recordings we play
- If you are looking for a shootout winning copy, let us know – with music and sound like this, we hope to be able to do this shootout again soon
- If you love the music of Tchaikovsky — and what audiophile doesn’t? — this London from 1959 is surely a Must Own
This London UK import 2 LP set put every other recording of Swan Lake to shame. This is the one, folks, assuming you want a nearly complete performance of the work. (We have had some single LP highlight pressings on the site before. The Fistoulari on London can be especially good on the right pressing.)
I rank the performance here by Ansermet and the Suisse Romande second to none.
Ansermet is surely the man for this music, and the famously huge hall he recorded in just as surely contributes much to the wonderful sound here. (The Royal Gala Ballet is a good example. If you have the two grand to spend we highly recommend you find yourself a good one. And don’t waste your money on the Classic no matter what you may have read elsewhere.)
