Moussorgsky – Pictures At An Exhibition - Byron Janis, Antal Dorati, Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra (Half Speed Mastering)
Regular price
€45,00
WE CANNOT COMMIT ON A DELIVERY DATE FOR PRE-ORDER VINYL & CD/SACD
It may take a few months for Labels to issue pre-order vinyl & CD/SACD
VAT included in price for European Union countries, may be adjusted based on delivery country at check out.
Shipping is free within European Union (except for specific territories) above 99€ purchase up to 50kg. Shipping costs on quote above 50kg – quote request to be send to : contact@audiosoundmusic.com. No return policy for countries outside of European Union
Modest Moussorgsky – Pictures At An Exhibition
Piano – Byron Janis
Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra
Conductor - Antal Dorati
1 LP, standard sleeve
Original analog Master Tape : YES
Heavy Press : 180 g
Record Color : Black
Speed : 33 RPM
Size : 12''
Stereo
Studio
Record Press : Optimal Media GmbH
Label: Mercury Living Presence Audiophile Series
Original Label : Mercury Living Presence
Recorded in Fine Recording Ballroom Studio A, September 25-29, 1961 with three Schoeps M201 microphones
Mixed and produced by Thomas Fine
Executive-Producer - Edward Weston
Mastered by Miles Showell at Abbey Road Studios
Sleeve Notes by John Thornton
Originally released in 1994 (as a CD)
Reissued in 2024 (first time on vinyl)
Side A:
1. Promenade. Allegro giusto, nel modo rustico, se
2. Gnomus. Sempre vivo
3. Promenade. Moderato commodo assai e con delicat
4. The Old Castle
5. Promenade. Moderato non tanto, pesamente
6. The Tuileries Gardens
7. Bydlo Sempre moderato, pesante
8. Promenade Tranquillo
9. Ballet of the Chickens in Their Shells
Side B:
1. Samuel Goldenberg and Schmuyle
2. The Market-Place at Limoges
3. The Catacombs (Sepulchrum romanum)
4. Con mortuis in lingua mortua
5. The Hut on Fowl's Legs (Baba-Yaga)
6. The Great Gate of Kiev
Reviews :
“It is possible that there may be better recorded performances of Mussorgsky's original piano version of Pictures at an Exhibition -- the coruscating Horowitz and the colossal Richter leap to mind -- and it's certain that there are recorded performances as good or better of Ravel's orchestral transcription of Pictures -- the mighty Reiner and the magnificent Szell among many others -- but there is now no finer coupling of Mussorgsky's original and Ravel's transcription than this one with Byron Janis for the original and Antal Dorati and the Minneapolis Symphony for the transcription. At the time the recording was made in 1961, Janis was at the peak of his career as an American super-virtuoso and his performance of the original is awe-inspiring. Every picture is brilliantly projected through Janis' combination of astounding technique, subtle sensibility, and love of grand gestures. When Dorati recorded the transcription, he was at his own peak as ballet conductor turned symphonic conductor and he was at his best in the color, drama, and vigor of eastern European and Russian music.
Even with the less than flawless playing of the Minneapolis Symphony, Dorati's interpretation of Pictures is direct, powerful, and very exciting if not always what could be called understated. As a bonus, the disc separates the two Pictures with two encores from Janis' Moscow performance in June 1962, an astounding F major Etude and a lovely A minor Waltz. Mercury is clean, clear, loud, sometimes a little gimmicky -- listen to the percussion in the "Great Gates of Kiev" -- but always thrilling.” Allmusic Review by James Leonard
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.
Ratings :
Allmusic: 4.5 / 5 ; Discogs: 4.38 / 5 ; Encyclopedia of Popular Music : 4 / 5 ; Rolling Stone 3.5 / 5