Mussorgsky - Pictures at an Exhibition - Orchestrated by Maurice Ravel - Rafael Kubelik & The Chicago Symphony Orchestra (Mono, Half-Speed Mastering)
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Modest Mussorgsky - Pictures at an Exhibition
Orchestrated by Maurice Ravel
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra conducted by Rafael Kubelik
1 LP, Standard sleeve
Original analog Master tape : YES
Half-speed mastering
Heavy Press : 180g
Record color : black
Speed : 33 RPM
Size : 12'’
Mono
Studio
Record Press : Pallas
Label : Mercury Living Presence
Original Label : Mercury
Recorded April 23-24, 1951 at Orchestra Hall, Chicago using an Ampex tape recorder and a single Telefunken microphone
Engineered by George Piros, C. R. Fine
Recorded Supervised by David Hall
Mastered at Abbey Road Studio
Originally released 1952
Reissued in October 2022
Tracks :
Side A:
- Promenade I
- Gnomus
- Promenade II
- The Old Castle
- Promenade III
- The Tuileries Gardens
- Bydlo
- Promenade IV
- Ballet Of The Chickens In Their Shells
Side B:
- Two Polish Jews - Rich And Poor
- Limoges - The Market Place
- The Catacombs (Sepulchrum romanum)
- Cum mortuis in lingua mortua
- The Hut On Fowl's Legs
- The Great Gate At Kiev
Reviews :
“Rafael Kubelik's brief association with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (1950-1953) was marred by controversy over the conductor's daring programming decisions -- often too modern for the audience's liking -- and the disarray of an undisciplined ensemble unaccustomed to the mild, nurturing approach of its young leader. In spite of the public's dissent and the orchestra's morale problems, Kubelik's tenure in Chicago yielded some excellent recordings, which this Mercury Living Presence disc gives evidence. The performance of Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition is astonishingly brilliant and three-dimensional, from the opening "Promenade" to the staggering closing chords of "The Great Gate of Kiev." Sounds jump out of the speakers, sometimes suggesting that Mercury's microphone placement was perhaps too close to the orchestra; but this is a minor complaint since the overall results are exceptional.” AllMusic Review by Blair Sanderson
“The potent combination of Mussorgsky's varied moods and Ravel's vibrant orchestration have made their Pictures hugely popular with both critics and audiences, a rare accord of popular and professional esteem. While it flourished in concert and on 78s, the advent of the LP (on which it fit neatly) and burgeoning consumer interest in home sound systems boosted its appeal yet further. Of the bounty of recordings that have proliferated since Koussevitzky's (over six dozen in the current catalog alone), nearly all convey the essence of this foolproof score quite well. Raphael Kubelik and the Chicago Symphony perhaps out of deference to the intrinsic strength and forthright character of the music, most add only minor interpretive gloss. There's little to choose among them, so the pioneering accounts retain the greatest interest.
The very first of Mercury's famed “Living Presence” LPs (MG50000) became known as a hi-fi demonstration disc, presenting the Pictures by Rafael Kubelik and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra through a single microphone and full-track tape for a wonderfully natural image (mono, of course), fully detailed with natural resonance.” Peter Gutmann, Classical Notes
“This is another extremely valuable set in the rather outstanding Mercury 'Living Presence' series that brings together some great recordings from Rafael Kubelík's ill-fated sojourn in Chicago in the early 1950's. Although he left with some animosity, this does not spill over into the music making which is excellent on all counts and has that stunning Mercury sound to back it up.
Mussorgsky's 'Pictures' is a slightly rushed job but again, Kubelík finds nobility and grandeur especially in the monumental 'Great Gate of Kiev' that concludes the work in apocalyptic fashion. Bartók's 'Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta' is also extremely fine on all counts although it lacks that last ounce of authority found in Antal Doráti's superb version, also on Mercury.” Gerald Fenech, Classical.net
Half-speed mastering.
In half-speed mastering, the whole process is slowed down to half of the original speed. A typical 33 1/3 rpm record is cut at 16 2/3 rpm. The source material is also slowed down (reducing the pitch in the process) meaning the final record will still sound normal when played back. Slowing the whole process down allows more time, which means the end result sounds better and is more efficient — allowing engineering to minimize the effects of inherent limitations within the vinyl format. The result is a more accurate and more open high-frequency response in the half speed vinyl when compared with a normal speed recording.
Rating:
AllMusic : 4 / 5 ; Discogs 4.29 / 5