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Ansermet's scandalously underrated Pictures at an Exhibition




As I contemplated the purchase of a 10th audiophile repress of Reiner's Mussorgsky, along comes Ansermet's, which turns out to be--in some ways-- a far better recording and performance.

The first thing you'll notice about the Ansermet is the palpable sense of hall space. The Brass chorales at the outset are allowed to expand and breathe, and so it goes throughout. Decca always seemed to get great results in Geneva Hall.

Secondly, there's a sense of sadness and grief permeating the Ansermet (Mussy's friend passed early, after all), which is lacking in Reiner's performance. Ansermet's Suisse Romande players are more imaginative as well. The eloquent playing of the Romande's Saxophonist deserves special mention: he actually makes the instrument sound beautiful. : )

Both performances are adequately grand in the Great Gate--with Gong thrillingly present, though once again, Ansermet remembers to add a solemn touch to the grandeur, (pipe organ makes a cameo appearance!), while Reiner's band veers dangerously close to slickness. I'm in awe of Chicago's brass, but not everything need be played in the style of "Joy to the World."


You can pick up the Ansermet as a Blueback, FFSS or FFRR, or as a Decca SPA. I prefer the SPA because Liszt's completely disposable Battle of the Huns is mercifully dropped, (Sorry Teresa, if you're still around), and replaced with Prokofiev's Lt Kije, conducted by "an elderly British man, sent to France to conduct Russian music."

IIRC, an amused and incredulous man by the name of Adrian Boult made the comment above, but no worries, his Lt Kije with the Paris Conservatory Orchestra couldn't be more brazen, brash or lively. It's very early Decca stereo, from '55, and once again, a comparison must be made with a US audiophile favorite: Reiner's:

Hands down, the Boult on Decca is a stunner. What vividness and clarity! Just listen to the groaning solo Cello in mov't 2. Front to back soundstaging is incredible as well. One can easily imagine a percussionist shaking sleigh bells about 15 ft back from his speakers. I was so impressed and surprised that I listened to the B side twice. Not to get overly-excited though: there's a touch of hiss and rawness throughout, and no Telarc-sized bass drum is to be found, though its recorded presence varies from mov't to mov't.




Edits: 10/21/14 10/21/14 10/22/14 10/22/14

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Topic - Ansermet's scandalously underrated Pictures at an Exhibition - jdaniel@jps.net 08:19:47 10/21/14 (12)

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