RE: Heating the house with the Szell sets today

Posted by kitch29 on January 30, 2017 at 10:32:44

In Reply to: finished listening to Klemperer's Beethoven set posted by TGR on January 29, 2017 at 15:14:10:

I have the Bohm and half the von Karajan sets but this topic inspired a more in-depth comparison of the Epic and Columbia Masterworks sets.

I'm comparing the first movements of each, then playing the full symphony of the winner; all 17 vacuum tubes will be hot all day.

I was told years ago that the original Epic Dvorak 3 symphonies Szell/Cleveland trounced the Masterworks set and it did. Later, I also acquired the Beethoven to see if the same was true. I never really got around to a thorough listening until today.

Through the Eroica, the Epic Stereo, SB 6050, has slightly better instrumental tone and timbre but the imaging truncates the Violins and Cellos into an almost monaural center; Woodwind duets and trios likewise. Apparently these recordings span a period from 1954 to 1970 so perhaps the Epic engineers were doing their best going from Mono to Stereo with the equipment at hand. Googling a discography was unhelpful...anyone have info on whether this is the case?

The Masterworks re-master has a true wall-to-wall soundstage as good as any recording I've heard and the instruments are right where they belong. There's a touch more "Columbia Glare" of the Trumpets and Horns.

The performance of One is very energetic, Two not as much. I've probably participated as a player of Three as much as a listener so I don't have an opinion on Szell's reading except that it's crisp and orthodox. One, Six, and Seven are my favorites and I'm looking forward to the latter two later today.

This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:

Follow Ups Full Thread

Topic - finished listening to Klemperer's Beethoven set - TGR 15:14:10 01/29/17 (15)

RE: Heating the house with the Szell sets today - kitch29 10:32:44 01/30/17 (1)

RE: Heating the house with the Szell sets today - Old Listener 15:03:58 01/30/17 (0)

RE: finished listening to Klemperer's Beethoven set - Old Listener 20:45:42 01/29/17 (1)

Klemperer 9ths on Testament - Kas 05:58:36 01/30/17 (0)

RE: finished listening to Klemperer's Beethoven set - Todd Krieger 19:28:23 01/29/17 (5)

Furtwangler wouldn't be on my list - TGR 15:14:49 01/30/17 (4)

Depends on the Symphony for me: his '44 9th give me chills as does parts of the 3rd - jdaniel@jps.net 00:33:36 01/31/17 (3)

That '44 Ninth - is that the one where they put the microphones right next to the Tympani? [nt] ;-) - Chris from Lafayette 01:18:29 01/31/17 (2)

Yes. But **don't** listen to it!! No other will ever be enough. Be careful reading reviews though: - jdaniel@jps.net 08:20:36 01/31/17 (1)

I've already heard it [nt] - Chris from Lafayette 09:31:01 01/31/17 (0)

I have the same set and am quite fond of it. - Paul_A 17:04:07 01/29/17 (2)

Paul Henry Lang and Toscanini - TGR 21:06:14 01/29/17 (1)

RE: Paul Henry Lang and Toscanini - Paul_A 01:52:28 01/30/17 (0)

Yes - despite their often slow tempos, those Klemperer performances can. . . - Chris from Lafayette 16:35:03 01/29/17 (0)

RE: finished listening to Klemperer's Beethoven set - docw 15:27:19 01/29/17 (0)

Follow Ups

RE: Heating the house with the Szell sets today - kitch29 10:32:44 01/30/17 (1)

RE: Heating the house with the Szell sets today - Old Listener 15:03:58 01/30/17 (0)

RE: Heating the house with the Szell sets today

Post a Message!