Complete George Szell box scheduled for August

[J.A.W.]

According to JPC Germany a complete George Szell 106CD-box is scheduled for August: https://www.jpc.de/jpcng/classic/detail/-/art/complete-box-set/hnum/8141265

[mo...@cloud9.net]

On Tuesday, February 27, 2018 at 8:38:34 AM UTC-5, J.A.W. wrote:
> According to JPC Germany a complete George Szell 106CD-box is scheduled for August: https://www.jpc.de/jpcng/classic/detail/-/art/complete-box-set/hnum/8141265

Hi, great news. The announcement says that the label is RCA Red Seal. However,his recordings were on Epic/CBS/Columbia. Did he actually record for RCA as well, or is that just a marketing thing?

Mort Linder

[Oscar]

RCA Red Seal is the legacy reissue imprint of Sony Classical. That is all.

[Frank Berger]

On 2/27/2018 10:22 PM, Oscar wrote:
> RCA Red Seal is the legacy reissue imprint of Sony Classical. That is all.
>

But legacy RCA releases have been coming out on Sony, haven't they?. I'm
confused. Again.

[vmayfi...@gmail.com]

Sony owns the RCA (most recently BMG Classics) and the Columbia / CBS Masterworks (Sony Classical since 1990) catalogues.

[Frank Berger]

I know that. It seems to me that RCA kegacy recordings sometimes still come out
with the RCA imprint and sometimes Sony. But for a Columbia etc. recording to
come on with the RCA imprint doesn't seem to make sense.

[drh8h]

I have read through the discography in the recent Szell biography several times. The only records he made appearing on an RCA label would have been those made in Europe, now owned by Warner. Maybe JPC made a mistake.

[Ed Presson]

"Frank Berger" wrote in message
news:7LednemEndx0MQvH...@supernews.com...

I agree; that's why I expect to see Sony use the Columbia label on the Szell
box
as they did with their Stokowski/Columbia recordings. But I don't really
care as
long as I can afford the Szell box.

Ed Presson

[malcol...@icloud.com]

The jpc page has been edited and expanded.
It is now titled "The Complete Columbia Album" and has work listings so we can all play "spot the missing symphony". On the downside, the price is to be 250 EUROS (106 RB CDs)

Regards

[drh8h]

And no information about remastering. If one has most of the JP issues, the United Archives issues, the Casadesus issues from France, and the various boxes, then you have most of this in good to outstanding transfers. A couple of Szigeti recordings have been done competently on other labels. A lacquer transfer of the first Symphonic Metamorphoses? Not much is new. Unless there are going to be mass remasterings, that is many $ for little return.

[J.A.W.]

Contents according to the JPC site (in German):
Beethoven: Symphonien Nr. 1-9 (Nr. 2, 4-6 in zwei Einspielungen); Klavierkonzerte Nr. 1-5; Leonore-Ouvertüren Nr. 1-3; Fidelio-Ouvertüre op. 72; Egmont-Ouvertüre op. 84; Coriolan-Ouvertüre op. 62; König Stephan-Ouvertüre op. 117; Klavierkonzerte Nr. 1-5
+Brahms: Symphonien Nr. 1-4 (Nr. 1 in zwei Einspielungen); Klavierkonzerte Nr. 1 & 2 (Nr. 1 in drei Einspielungen; Nr. 2 in zwei Einspielungen); Haydn-Variationen op. 56a; Akademische Festouvertüre op. 80; Tragische Ouvertüre op. 81
+Mozart: Symphonien Nr. 28, 33, 35, 39-41 (Nr. 39-41 in zwei Einspielungen); Sinfonia concertante KV 364; Le Nozze di Figaro-Ouvertüre; Der Schauspieldirektor-Ouvertüre; Serenaden Nr. 9 & 13; Divertimento KV 131; Klavierkonzerte Nr. 10, 12, 15, 17-27 (Nr. 17, 20, 24-26 in zwei Einspielungen); Violinkonzerte Nr. 1, 3, 5; Klarinettenkonzert KV 622; Klavierquartette KV 478 & 493 (mit George Szell, Klavier); Violinsonaten KV 296, 301, 304 ((mit George Szell, Klavier); Exsultate, jubilate KV 165
+Haydn: Symphonien Nr. 88, 92-99, 104 (Nr. 92 & 97 in zwei Einspielungen)
+Dvorak: Symphonien Nr. 7-9 (Nr. 9 in zwei Einspielungen); Klavierkonzert op. 33; Karneval-Ouvertüre op. 92; Slawische Tänze Nr. 1-16 (in drei Einspielungen)
+Dvorak / Szell: Slawische Tänze Nr. 1, 3, 8, 10, 15
+Strauss: Till Eulenspiegel op. 28 (in zwei Einspielungen); Don Juan op. 35; Don Quixote op. 35; Sinfonia domstica op. 53; Hornkonzert Nr. 1; Tod und Verklärung op. 24
+Mendelssohn: Symphonie Nr. 4 (in zwei Einspielungen); Ein Sommernachtstraum op. 61 (in zwei Einspielungen); Violinkonzert op. 64; Die Hebriden-Ouvertüre op. 26
+Prokofieff: Symphonie Nr. 5; Klavierkonzerte Nr. 1, 3, 4;Leutnant Kije-Suite op. 60; Klaviersonate Nr. 3
+Schumann: Symphonien Nr. 1-4 (Nr. 2 & 4 in zwei Einspielungen); Klavierkonzert op. 54; Manfred-Ouvertüre op. 115; Fantasie für Cello & Orchester
+Schubert: Symphonien Nr. 8 & 9 (Nr. 8 in zwei Einspielungen); Rosamunde D. 797
+Tschaikowsky: Symphonie Nr. 5; Klavierkonzert Nr. 1 (in zwei Einspielungen); Capriccio italien op. 45; Rokoko-Variationen op. 33
+Bruckner: Symphonien Nr. 3 & 8 (Nr. 8 in zwei Einspielungen)
+Wagner: Orchesterstücke aus Die Walküre, Siegfried, Götterdämmerung, Tristan und Isolde, Der Meistersänger von Nürnberg, Tannhäuser, Der Fliegende Holländer, Lohengrin, Rienzi, Götterdämmerung; Eine Faust-Ouvertüre
+Berlioz: Römischer Karneval-Ouvertüre op. 9
+Bartok: Konzert für Orchester; Klavierkonzert Nr. 1
+Smetana: Die Moldau (in zwei Einspielungen); Die verkaufte Braut-Ouvertüre (in zwei Einspielungen); Aus Böhmens Hain und Flur
+Smetana / Szell: Streichquartett Nr. 1 "Aus meinem Leben" arr. für Orchester
+Mahler: Symphonien Nr. 4, 6, 10
+Mussorgsky: Bilder einer Ausstellung; Dämmerung über der Moskva aus Chowantschtschina
+Hindemith: Symphonische Metamorphosen über ein Thema von Weber (in zwei Einspielungen)
+Grieg: Klavierkonzert op. 16; Peer Gynt-Suite Nr. 1; Solveigs Lied
+Weber: Konzertstück op. 79 für Klavier & Orchester; Oberon-Ouvertüre (in zwei Einspielungen); Der Freiscdhütz-Ouvertüre
+Walton: Symphonie Nr. 2; Partita für Orchester
+Franck: Symphonische Variationen für Klavier & Orchester
+Delius: Irmelin-Prelude
+Strawinsky: Der Feuervogel-Suite
+Ravel: Daphnis et Chloe-Suite Nr. 2; Pavane pour une infante defunte
+Janacek: Sinfonietta op. 60 für Orchester; Hindemith-Variationen
+Debussy: La Mer
+Liszt: Klavierkonzert Nr. 2
+Barber: Klavierkonzert op. 38
+Bizet: L'Arlesienne-Suite Nr. 1; Farnadole
+Bruch: Violinkonzert Nr. 1
+Rimsky-Korssakoff: Capriccio espagnol op. 34
+Liadov: Der Zaubersee
+Rachmaninoff: Paganini-Rhapsodie op. 43
+Rossini: Ouvertüren zu La Gazza ladra (in zwei Einspielungen), Il Viaggio a Reims, La Scala di seta, L'Italiana in Algeri, Il Turco in Italia
+Bach: Violinkonzert BWV 1042
+Bach / Szigeti: Violinkonzert g-moll BWV 1056
+Händel: Violinsonate D-Dur HWV 371
+Tartini: Violinkonzert d-moll D. 45; Violinsonate G-Dur
+Borodin: Polowetzer Tänze
+Auber: Fra Diavolo-Ouvertüre
+Kodaly: Hary Janos-Suite
+J. Strauss II: Fledermaus-Ouvertüre; An der schönen blauen Donau; Pizzicato Polka; Delirien Walzer; Frühlingsstimmen; Dorfschwalben aus Österreich
+Joseph Strauss: Perpetuum mobile
+Weihnachtslieder: Deck the Halls; Joy to the World; Pat-a-pan
+George Szell in Interviews (1964 / 65 / 66 / 67); George Szell im Gespräch mit dem Columbia Records Produzenten Paul Myers über Musik, Musiker und sein Leben als Dirigent
Artists: John Browning, Robert Casadesus, Rudolf Firkusny, Leon Fleisher, Gary Graffman, Vladimir Horowitz, Rudolf Serkin, Rafael Druian, Zino Francescatti, Isaac Stern, Joseph Szigeti, Abraham Skernick, Pierre Fournier, Leonard Rose, Judith Raskin, Columbia Symphony Orchestra, New York Philharmonic Orchestra, Cleveland Orchestra, George Szell
Label: Sony, ADD

[Jerry]

On Friday, March 2, 2018 at 6:45:45 AM UTC-5, malcol...@icloud.com wrote:

It may take a while to compile a thorough check for the "spot the missing
items" game, AND it's not unknown that JPC's listings for these
boxes are sometimes inaccurate, but I didn't see:

Walton: Variations on a Theme by Hindemith
Smetana: Three Dances from "Bartered Bride"

and live recording from Tokyo (Sibelius 2nd et al.) that was
issued by Sony in Japan and France (and others perhaps).....
though these might justifiably be excluded as not being studio
recordings from the original Columbia and Epic series.
Likelwise, suspect that some of live recordings from
Salzburg issued by Sony may not be there.

Jerry

[Jerry]

Sorry, just noticed that the Walton Hindemith Variations are
listed under Janacek.

Perhaps too early to waste effort on JPC's transcription
of contents.

Jerry

[ro...@verizon.net]

On Friday, March 2, 2018 at 10:39:33 AM UTC-5, Jerry wrote:

Not a missing item, perhaps a superfluous one: Bruch violin concerto. It's not listed Michael Charry's appendices of Szell's repertoire and discography.

[Jerry]

Suspect that this might be the Francescatti/Schippers that was
discmate to the Francescatti/Szell Mendelssohn.

Likewise, I suspect that the Prokofiev 4th PC may be the
Serkin/Ormandy that was coupled with the Serkin/Szell
Bartok 1st PC.

I'm puzzled by the insertion of Vladimir Horowitz in the
list of artists at the end. What might that be?

Jerry

[drh8h]

Doubtless the "legendary" performance of Tchaikovsky 1 he conducted with VH in 1953 and issued in the Carnegie Hall set.

I notice a couple of Szigeti sonata performances that were on the record with the concertos. Sony, how about an up-to-date mastered Szigeti collection? Maybe they could license the stuff Mercury wouldn't reissue in the U.S.

There are several mistakes in the listing. I am fairly sure Sony has only issued one version each of the Bruckner 8 and Beethoven 2. And the first Slavonic Dance recordings in the 78 era was excerpts only.

Dennis

[vmayfi...@gmail.com]

The Horowitz item to be included is the 1953 concert performance celebrating the 25th anniversary of pianist's US debut. RCA Victor recorded the performance, but it was suppressed from issue. According to the late Harris Goldsmith, the Union ordered the master tape to be destroyed. Before that happened, however, it was secretly copied and that became the basis of the various editions that have circulated over the years. Sony, in fact, already has issued this performance elsewhere.

[josq...@aol.com]

On Friday, March 2, 2018 at 10:59:06 AM UTC-5, ro...@verizon.net wrote:

> Not a missing item, perhaps a superfluous one: Bruch violin concerto. It's not listed Michael Charry's appendices of Szell's repertoire and discography.

Also, I see Tartini: Violinkonzert d-moll D. 45 - presumably that is the Szigeti one conducted by Goehr available on Naxos:https://www.naxos.com/catalogue/item.asp?item_code=8.110979

Not sure why that would show up here. Or why the Szigeti sonatas or the Graffman Prokofiev sonata would be in this box either...

[drh8h]

No, Szigeti recorded the Tartini with Szell. The record had two sonatas and two concertos. The Goehr recording is owned by Warner.

[wanwan]

if it's like the Reiner & Munch Boxes, it probably used the best remasters available including XRCD and others. Anything not previously issued probably will be remastered. If they used the Japanese remasters it should sound better than the Essentials.

----------------
ERic

[drh8h]

I will probably open my wallet for this, just like I did for Serkin, even though I had 80-90% of the contents. I hope the price goes down, though.

Dennis

[Randy Lane]

The JPC listing is gone.

[Frank Berger]

On 3/7/2018 7:14 AM, Randy Lane wrote:
> The JPC listing is gone.
>

So is Szell.

[drh8h]

On Wednesday, March 7, 2018 at 7:14:17 AM UTC-5, Randy Lane wrote:
> The JPC listing is gone.

Wouldn't be the first time Sony has missed an initial release date. Look how the Leonard Rose has come and gone and apparently come back again, but not on JPC. I wonder if anyone had noticed JPC also announced for last December what appeared to be a box full of the old RCA Victor Vocal Series. Amazon.de claims it was released last March. Never have seen it, and I doubt they would go to the expense of remastering all those 78s involved. Maybe thought better of it.

DH

[jserr...@gmail.com]

cover art

https://media2.jpc.de/image/w600/front/0/0889854718527.jpg

[Randy Lane]

On Wednesday, March 7, 2018 at 9:01:05 AM UTC-7, jserr...@gmail.com wrote:
> cover art
>
> https://media2.jpc.de/image/w600/front/0/0889854718527.jpg

The JPC listing is back, and it no longer shows RCA Red Seal as label - it is now Sony.

[Frank Berger]

Told you so.

[Randy Lane]

Now on Amazon.de with different picture than JPC

https://www.amazon.de/dp/B079VD2YRP/

[meyers...@gmail.com]

On Friday, March 16, 2018 at 10:22:13 PM UTC-4, Randy Lane wrote:
> Now on Amazon.de with different picture than JPC
>
> https://www.amazon.de/dp/B079VD2YRP/

Can't wait!!!

[Oscar]

I got capbox fever, too!!

[jtb...@jtbell.net]

On Friday, March 16, 2018 at 10:22:13 PM UTC-4, Randy Lane wrote:

> Now on Amazon.de with different picture than JPC
>
> https://www.amazon.de/dp/B079VD2YRP/

Looks like the same format as the Glenn Gould Remastered box, with a large hardbound book lying on top of two rows of CDs. It will have to go in the closet along with the Gould box after I rip the CDs and scan the covers. There's no way it fits on my CD shelves.

Or maybe I'll clear enough space on a bookshelf for both boxes, stacked one on top of the other.

[jtb...@jtbell.net]

On Tuesday, February 27, 2018 at 8:38:34 AM UTC-5, J.A.W. wrote:
> https://www.jpc.de/jpcng/classic/detail/-/art/complete-box-set/hnum/8141265

The contents listed on JPC include the late 1940s - early 1950s recordings with the NY Phil that were reissued in an Odyssey LP set.

They also list three recordings of the Dvorak Slavonic Dances 1-16. I wonder if that means the mono set on Epic, the stereo set on Columbia, and the trimmed version (few or no repeats) of the Columbia set that was released on a single Odyssey LP. Or maybe it's just a typo. They do list separately a group of individual dances that were among (I think) the NY Phil recordings.

[Jon Bell]

Correction: the individual dances (op 46/1,3,8 and op 72/2,7) were done
in Cleveland in 1947 for Columbia.

[vmayfi...@gmail.com]

Szell's first Cleveland session. By the way, the single LP issue of the stereo version of the dances was a Masterworks LP, not Odyssey. The Odyssey edition was a reissue of the stereo Masterworks remake that, like the original box, was a two LP set - repeats in tact - and also included the Carnival Overture.

[gggg...@gmail.com]

On Tuesday, February 27, 2018 at 3:38:34 AM UTC-10, J.A.W. wrote:
> According to JPC Germany a complete George Szell 106CD-box is scheduled for August: https://www.jpc.de/jpcng/classic/detail/-/art/complete-box-set/hnum/8141265

1944 Met Walkure:

https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/humanities.music.composers.wagner/BwG04JXmgdI

[ArturPS]

On Tuesday, February 27, 2018 at 10:38:34 AM UTC-3, J.A.W. wrote:
> According to JPC Germany a complete George Szell 106CD-box is scheduled for August: https://www.jpc.de/jpcng/classic/detail/-/art/complete-box-set/hnum/8141265

F*ing finally. I've been searching for "szell" and "ormandy" for almost everyday on amazon waiting for the long overdue complete boxes (I stayed away from the korean Szell box after what I read - mainly here). Now I'll continue with "ormandy" until that one is made justice too.

[Mark Zimmer]

Wouldn't Ormandy's output have to be split up amongst multiple big boxes like those for Bernstein and Karajan? He was awfully prolific.

[drh8h]

It would have to be shipped freight if it were truly complete. I can't believe Sony would do it when they have repeatedly failed to create one truly complete Bernstein RCA/Sony set, even in his centenary year. I still keep believing the really big boxes are going to run out of steam. There are not that many performers, no matter how "legendary," people are going spend the money to buy or reserve the space to keep. The smaller boxes, yes, but I think even with those we will soon get to some kind of saturation point.

DH

[Randy Lane]

Not sure you saw post about it, but Universal is planning a 333 CD Bach Edition, similar format to the Mozart 225 set. And Mozart 225 was actually on "best sellers" lists when it arrived.

[Randy Lane]

Then again, one could stick to vinyl for Ormandy and go get one these turntables so you've got true state-of-the-art HiFi.

AV Design Haus’ Dereneville VPM 2010-1

https://www.cnet.com/pictures/home-theater-gear-fit-for-royalty-pictures/11/

[drh8h]

I was only questioning the market appeal of a massive set devoted to one performer. I suspect there is always an interest in putting together everything by one composer, but that might be more likely to appeal to a wider demographic. I suspect most of the people buying the big boxes of performers are the oldsters around who remember them. Still, remastering an old recording surely is less expensive than creating a new one. I am just speculating. I hope the trend continues--as long as they choose the performers I want to hear, of course!

[drh8h]

Over a half million to play an inherently warped, off-center, off-pitch and damaged sound carrier. Yes, I think many records sound great, maybe even better than their CD counterparts, but there is something slightly obscene about this!

DH

[O]

In article <205d20df-6eca-449a...@googlegroups.com>,

> > AV Design Hausน Dereneville VPM 2010-1

> >
> > https://www.cnet.com/pictures/home-theater-gear-fit-for-royalty-pictures/11/
>
> Over a half million to play an inherently warped, off-center, off-pitch and
> damaged sound carrier. Yes, I think many records sound great, maybe even
> better than their CD counterparts, but there is something slightly obscene about this!

It is rather ironic that a device like this is probably of much higher
precision than any record groove cutter used to produce its source
material.

-Owen

[ArturPS]

I don't know if it'd have to, but it would make sense. I know I'd buy it if it came in larger volumes, say at least like Klemperer's (which would actually benefit from a "complete edition" on Warner imho). These recent boxes that came out of Ormandy are way too small for me to buy, out of fear of an incoming big one - even if it's just wishful thinking.

[drh8h]

I would take a Szigeti box of his Columbias, even though it would include some painful moments. There were hints a Casals box was coming, but it never materialized. Still five years until the 50th anniversary death commemorations to start, so we may not see it for awhile. By then, the CD plants may have all closed down.

DH

[Thornhill]

On Tuesday, February 27, 2018 at 8:38:34 AM UTC-5, J.A.W. wrote:
> According to JPC Germany a complete George Szell 106CD-box is scheduled for August: https://www.jpc.de/jpcng/classic/detail/-/art/complete-box-set/hnum/8141265

On one hand: It's about time.

On the other: Almost everything in here is available, including the mono recordings (many of which were licensed to United Archives).

A few thoughts:

As I think everyone here knows, Sony did a horrible job with the digital transfers for the early 1990s Essential Classics series. Releases on Masterworkers Heritage, SACD, Great Performances, and Original Jackets were substantially better (sometimes night and day better). I'm a bit skeptical if everything that hasn't received a proper remastering will finally get one, such as the Mahler 4, Bruckner 8, Walton 2, etc.

For the sake of being truly complete, it's too bad that Sony didn't license the EMI, Decca, Philips, and DG recordings (and it's not like there are many). Then there are a number of pre-war mono recordings, like the Dvorak concerto with Casals and Brahms PC 1 with Schnabel.

Weird that the "Live in Tokyo" album wasn't included, especially given that the Horowitz live recording is.

At this point I would have preferred that Sony licensed Cleveland's radio archive like they did with the Met Opera. Yeah, that would have cost them more, but there are a lot of gems in there that fill important gaps in his discography. Some received limited release by the Cleveland Orchestra — Missa Solemnis, Mahler 9, Das Lied, Walton Violin Concerto, etc. — and deserve a wide release. The Missa Solemnis is spectacular. Others that have never been officially released, like Mozart 38, Tchaikovsky 6, and Dvorak with Rostropovich. And, everything recording from the late 50s on is in stereo sound (some quite good stereo). It's a shame that these radio recordings are probably never going to see the light of day.

[drh8h]

The two Bruckner Symphonies were recently remastered for JP issue, so I suspect we will get those. The Walton 2 was also issued in JP. I have not heard the JP issue of Mahler 4, but some people thought the Mahler 6 an improvement on the Great Performances issue.

DH

[Frank Berger]

The remastered Bruckner symphonies are available packaged together on hybrid
SACD, offers on e-bay and amazon ranging from $50-70 or so (shipping from
Japan). I wonder when and if and how much a U.S. release will be. Would love
to see a review of the remastered sound.

[Thornhill]

I have some of the JP issues, including the Bruckner 8. I'm confident that they used whatever the best available digital transfer was — they have not created new transfers.

I have the Brahms Symphonies and Bruckner 3 & 8; they sound the same as the old Essential Classics release. Too much artificial reverb, distant and muddy. But, the Brahms 1 sounds good. It received a DSD transfer for the Great Performance release. I have that release and the Essential Classics; the Brahms 1 in the JP set sounds like the GP version.

The Strauss waltzes and Rossini overtures sound identical to the SACDs — very bright and forward.

Now some of the recordings have been recently released by JP Sony as SACDs: Beethoven Symphonies, Brahms Symphonies, Bruckner 3 & 8, Mahler 4, 6, and 10. Those are new DSD transfers. Sony Classics Japan basically acts as an independent company, so I'm not hopeful that those new transfers were used.

[drh8h]

Now wait. Old George might even have approved that artificial reverb. I remember back when one of the late Brahms Concertos with Serkin was issued, he raised a fuss publicly about the sound and Columbia had to issue an "improved" version. I believe I have read the Bruckner 8, posthumously issued, also had extra echo, likely at his urging. Frankly, some of the sonic faults of those recordings, including lack of bass, seem to be laid directly to him. His standard was to play everything on some kind of fifties or sixties console with exaggerated mid-bass and that is how he judged recordings. And as we all know, he always thought he knew everything.

Dennis

[Frank Berger]

Seeing as Szell died in 1970, I doubt he was heavily involved in the Essential
Classics productions.

[Thornhill]

A few points on this:

When it came to recorded sound Szell had lots of opinions, but few of them good. Apparently he once complained to the local radio station about the sound quality of the Orchestra's radio broadcasts and forced one of the recording engineers to come listen with him at his house. The engineer found that the reason that the broadcasts sounded muffled was because Szell had placed his speakers behind his couch so nobody would see them.

Despite people's nostalgia for the sound of LP, it was standard practice back then, especially with Columbia, to boost the mid-range on recordings so they'd sound better on crappy speakers. Or to put it another way, recordings back then were optimized for the crappy playback equipment of the time. As I view it, the remixing and remastering done in the last twenty years more accurately reflects wha the recording sessions sounded like because nobody is altering the sound the sound simply so it sounds good on junk systems (and with reissues made since the late 90s, Sony has been pretty good about not trying wipe away all of the tape hiss). And I'd think Szell would approve because the latest CD and SACD reissues have the orchestra sounding more razor sharp than early CD releases and the LPs.

Now as for the reverb I'm sure some was added in Szell's time, especially with the Kazdin recordings, but a lot of it was added for the early CD releases when people expected everything to sound like it had been recorded in a church church. And then of course all of the tape hiss was removed in those Essential Classics releases which further dulled the sound.

[drh8h]

I agree it is not always the best course to replicate the sound the artist heard back then and approved, even if the producers and engineers flinched. I remember audiophiles in those days often complained about LPs equalized for inferior equipment. I bet Szell didn't even listen to the engineer who came to his house. George was a know-it-all.

[gggg...@gmail.com]

On Tuesday, April 24, 2018 at 4:47:01 PM UTC-10, Thornhill wrote:
> On Tuesday, April 24, 2018 at 9:40:43 PM UTC-4, drh8h wrote:
> > On Tuesday, April 24, 2018 at 7:59:08 PM UTC-4, Thornhill wrote:
> > > On Tuesday, April 24, 2018 at 6:16:58 PM UTC-4, drh8h wrote:
> > > > On Tuesday, April 24, 2018 at 5:02:31 PM UTC-4, Thornhill wrote:
> > > > > On Tuesday, February 27, 2018 at 8:38:34 AM UTC-5, J.A.W. wrote:
> > > > > > According to JPC Germany a complete George Szell 106CD-box is scheduled for August: https://www.jpc.de/jpcng/classic/detail/-/art/complete-box-set/hnum/8141265
> > > > >
> > > > > On one hand: It's about time.
> > > > >
> > > > > On the other: Almost everything in here is available, including the mono recordings (many of which were licensed to United Archives).
> > > > >
> > > > > A few thoughts:
> > > > >
> > > > > As I think everyone here knows, Sony did a horrible job with the digital transfers for the early 1990s Essential Classics series. Releases on Masterworkers Heritage, SACD, Great Performances, and Original Jackets were substantially better (sometimes night and day better). I'm a bit skeptical if everything that hasn't received a proper remastering will finally get one, such as the Mahler 4, Bruckner 8, Walton 2, etc.
> > > > >
> > > > > For the sake of being truly complete, it's too bad that Sony didn't license the EMI, Decca, Philips, and DG recordings (and it's not like there are many). Then there are a number of pre-war mono recordings, like the Dvorak concerto with Casals and Brahms PC 1 with Schnabel.
> > > > >
> > > > > Weird that the "Live in Tokyo" album wasn't included, especially given that the Horowitz live recording is.
> > > > >
> > > > > At this point I would have preferred that Sony licensed Cleveland's radio archive like they did with the Met Opera. Yeah, that would have cost them more, but there are a lot of gems in there that fill important gaps in his discography. Some received limited release by the Cleveland Orchestra — Missa Solemnis, Mahler 9, Das Lied, Walton Violin Concerto, etc. — and deserve a wide release. The Missa Solemnis is spectacular. Others that have never been officially released, like Mozart 38, Tchaikovsky 6, and Dvorak with Rostropovich. And, everything recording from the late 50s on is in stereo sound (some quite good stereo). It's a shame that these radio recordings are probably never going to see the light of day.
> > > >
> > > > The two Bruckner Symphonies were recently remastered for JP issue, so I suspect we will get those. The Walton 2 was also issued in JP. I have not heard the JP issue of Mahler 4, but some people thought the Mahler 6 an improvement on the Great Performances issue.
> > > >
> > > > DH
> > >
> > > I have some of the JP issues, including the Bruckner 8. I'm confident that they used whatever the best available digital transfer was — they have not created new transfers.
> > >
> > > I have the Brahms Symphonies and Bruckner 3 & 8; they sound the same as the old Essential Classics release. Too much artificial reverb, distant and muddy. But, the Brahms 1 sounds good. It received a DSD transfer for the Great Performance release. I have that release and the Essential Classics; the Brahms 1 in the JP set sounds like the GP version.
> > >
> > > The Strauss waltzes and Rossini overtures sound identical to the SACDs — very bright and forward.
> > >
> > > Now some of the recordings have been recently released by JP Sony as SACDs: Beethoven Symphonies, Brahms Symphonies, Bruckner 3 & 8, Mahler 4, 6, and 10. Those are new DSD transfers. Sony Classics Japan basically acts as an independent company, so I'm not hopeful that those new transfers were used.
> >
> > Now wait. Old George might even have approved that artificial reverb. I remember back when one of the late Brahms Concertos with Serkin was issued, he raised a fuss publicly about the sound and Columbia had to issue an "improved" version. I believe I have read the Bruckner 8, posthumously issued, also had extra echo, likely at his urging. Frankly, some of the sonic faults of those recordings, including lack of bass, seem to be laid directly to him. His standard was to play everything on some kind of fifties or sixties console with exaggerated mid-bass and that is how he judged recordings. And as we all know, he always thought he knew everything.
> >
> > Dennis
>
> A few points on this:
>
> When it came to recorded sound Szell had lots of opinions, but few of them good. Apparently he once complained to the local radio station about the sound quality of the Orchestra's radio broadcasts and forced one of the recording engineers to come listen with him at his house. The engineer found that the reason that the broadcasts sounded muffled was because Szell had placed his speakers behind his couch so nobody would see them.
>

> Despite people's nostalgia for the sound of LP, it was standard practice back then, especially with Columbia, to boost the mid-range on recordings so they'd sound better on crappy speakers. Or to put it another way, recordings back then were optimized for the crappy playback equipment of the time. As I view it, the remixing and remastering done in the last twenty years more accurately reflects wha the recording sessions sounded like because nobody is altering the sound the sound simply so it sounds good on junk systems...

Isn't that what DYNAGROOVE was all about?

[drh8h]

Never suggested such a thing. But apparently he wasn't adverse to "improving" the sound after the recording was in the can.

DH

[drh8h]

There is simply no way to make everyone happy. Not only were recordings, in all eras, optimized for the equipment of the time, both the bad (most common) and good (expensive and less common), but living spaces, condition of one's hearing, etc., all play into it. The size of the average house or living area sixty years ago was smaller, not to mention Europeans usually live in even smaller abodes. The most accurate transfer of the contents of the original tapes will sound to some as being not as good as their fifty+-year-old warped and off-center LP. Most of us will never hear a recording as it was heard in the studio, and that may be a good thing. As my hearing goes downhill, dynamic compression even seems a bit of a blessing. I can tell I have hearing issues listening to a modern recording or transfer, but the same thing sounds fine from an LP.

Plus it has often been noted how artists are not the best judges of sound. The way Toscanini routinely played records in his home created a sound he would never have tolerated from an orchestra in front of him. The old Maestro probably had a bit of hearing loss. When I was young and had good hearing, I could not afford good equipment. Now I have decent equipment, but can't always hear it!

DH

[Thornhill]

Here's the thing:

Today even entry-level A/V receivers are capable of pretty sophisticated manipulation to allow listeners to to customize the sound — everything from compressing to dynamic range to taking acoustical measurements of their listening room and automatically making adjustments to the volume level of each speaker.

If you labels release recordings as "straight" as possible, listeners can manipulate the sound however they want. If they do something like compress the dynamic range for the benefit of people who listen on headphones, then we're all locked in to that.

[drh8h]

My suspicion is most people really prefer dynamic compression to some extent. I wish I was smart enough to understand psychoacoustics. Once heard The Rite of Spring from a high up balcony seat in Orchestra Hall and I swear the dynamic range sounded almost like a replicate of the old stereo Stravinsky recording. Maybe not the best venue or seat to be judging. Not to mention, the performance seemed to be a replicate. I won't say who was conducting. DB

Dennis

DH

[Frank Berger]

I think if you had perfect hearing and a silent listening environment, most
would prefer a realistic dynamic range. But CDs with wide range are
unlistenable in many circumstances. Cars obviously. I had a Dodge Caravan
whose OEM stereo had a compression setting that helped, and a portable CD player
(Magnavox, I think) that had it, but you don't see it anymore.

[drh8h]

I have rarely been bothered by the dynamics of an orchestra in a concert hall, even with a close seat, but the sound would be intolerable in an ordinary room. Plus in the state I live in, you can be cited for noise if the police can hear something 50 feet away from your house!

DH

[Matthew Silverstein]

On Wednesday, April 25, 2018 at 8:09:43 PM UTC+4, Frank Berger wrote:

> I think if you had perfect hearing and a silent listening environment, most
> would prefer a realistic dynamic range. But CDs with wide range are
> unlistenable in many circumstances. Cars obviously. I had a Dodge Caravan
> whose OEM stereo had a compression setting that helped, and a portable CD player
> (Magnavox, I think) that had it, but you don't see it anymore.

My (relatively new) car has dynamic range compression that adjusts automatically with the speed of the car.

Matty

[Frank Berger]

Neat.

[richard...@gmail.com]

On Wednesday, April 25, 2018 at 1:10:42 PM UTC-4, Matthew Silverstein wrote:
> My (relatively new) car has dynamic range compression that adjusts automatically with the speed of the car.
>
> Matty

That sounds useful. Does it also adjust for road surfaces? I drive along I95 which is in the course of reconstruction and widening in Florida. Each contract seems to use different surfacing materials, and some are much noisier than others.
Richard

[wade...@hotmail.com]

Like the Rubinstein Box

On Thursday, March 29, 2018 at 1:12:02 PM UTC-7, jtb...@jtbell.net wrote:
> On Friday, March 16, 2018 at 10:22:13 PM UTC-4, Randy Lane wrote:
> > Now on Amazon.de with different picture than JPC
> >
> > https://www.amazon.de/dp/B079VD2YRP/
>
> Looks like the same format as the Glenn Gould Remastered box, with a large hardbound book lying on top of two rows of CDs. It will have to go in the closet along with the Gould box after I rip the CDs and scan the covers. There's no way it fits on my CD shelves.
>
> Or maybe I'll clear enough space on a bookshelf for both boxes, stacked one on top of the other.

[O]

In article <4c070ae4-2265-4966...@googlegroups.com>,

Somebody donated a Rubenstein box to our Town Library, where it stands
like a mute monumental cathedral, imposing and daring anyone to enter
the tabernacle and withdraw a CD to check out.

-Owen

[drh8h]

I have one of those. It sits proudly, on the floor! But I do go back and grab a sample every once in awhile. I think at one time or another over the last eighteen years, I have listened to all of it. Right now, I am working my way around Arrau/Philips. I am not sure at this point exactly what I have heard. Should have been keeping track.

DH

[O]

In article <d93f7ec4-1419-4e45...@googlegroups.com>,

There comes with each of these giant box sets a reward, that turns into
a chore, which turns into a responsibility, then a procrastination,
which is of listening to the entire thing, eventually.

There's a joke streaming through Facebook that goes "I have three bags
of clothes I'm going to donate to Goodwill, but first I want to drive
around with them in my trunk for four months." Getting through one of
these box sets is kind of like that. You start out with noble hopes
and ambitions, going to explore new territories and recapture some old
joys, but then, after about 2/3 of the way through, you're slogging
through it trying to get it completely listened to, so you can start
listening to another giant big box set you just bought. Finally, you
succumb to other pleasures around disk 78 of 132, and never quite get
back to listening to disk 79 and beyond.

-Owen

[wkasimer]

On Thursday, April 26, 2018 at 9:36:28 AM UTC-4, O wrote:

> There comes with each of these giant box sets a reward, that turns into
> a chore, which turns into a responsibility, then a procrastination,
> which is of listening to the entire thing, eventually.

I have no illusion that I'll ever listen to the complete contents of any of these mammoth artist boxes (and I have lots of them). I buy them because they tend to go out of print quickly, and I like to know that in five years, if get the urge to listen to every recording of Brahms PC2 by Rubinstein, I'll have them on the shelf in that great big ugly pink box.

[Randy Lane]

That's a good approach to complete artist editions.
But surely you would not let anything distract you from listening to everything in a box with 32 different recordings of Le Sacre du Printemps, or 13 Kna Parsifals.

[O]

In article <2e9a7ab5-0f0f-4e92...@googlegroups.com>,

...or the Bach Guild Big Box of 16 hours of Cage's 4' 33"

-Owen

[drh8h]

Yes, but I have the original big grey (at least I think it is) box. It is is bigger, but more practical with its flip up and down sections and pull out drawers. It is a pain getting the discs out of their gatefold sleeves though. Taking the top off a box is not as elegant. It is fun to go back to a box set one bought a few years back and just randomly revisit it. That's when I think you really decide whether it was worth it.

DH

[drh8h]

"The remastering remastering is the latest source is used." What usually happens is the mastering is used, but no acknowledgement is given it was ever issued in JP.

[Frank Berger]

From the cdjapan.co.jp description of the newly released hybrid sacd of
Bruckner 3+8:

Becomes SACD Hybrid format for the first time in the world. Features 2018
remastering and uses the original cover artwork design of the US LP. Recorded on
January 28 & 29, 1966, on October 3, 6, 10, and 13, 1969 in Cleveland. "

[mo...@cloud9.net]

Hi,

I have the Japanese hybrid SACD set of Szell and the Cleveland doing the 9 Beethoven symphonies.

The CD layer has moderate harshness and clear sound.
The SACD layer has slight harshness, clear sound, and more air and space around the sound. To me, the SACD sound is a distinct improvement.

I wonder if there was any remastering of the upcoming Szell/Cleveland big box. "Tis a consummation devoutly to be wished." (W.S.)

Mort Linder

[meyers...@gmail.com]

On Thursday, April 26, 2018 at 10:43:12 AM UTC-4, Randy Lane wrote:
> That's a good approach to complete artist editions.
> But surely you would not let anything distract you from listening to everything in a box with 32 different recordings of Le Sacre du Printemps, or 13 Kna Parsifals.

Wasn't there a box set available at one time of all 13 Kna Parsifals???

[Randy Lane]

Yep.
Korean Venias label.

[Thornhill]

On Thursday, April 26, 2018 at 2:54:16 PM UTC-4, Frank Berger wrote:

As I said a few days ago, I'm not holding my breadth that these new Sony JP remasterings are included in the box set because Sony Classical JP is basically an independent company.

And it took 4 days to record the Bruckner 8? Jesus.

[music lover]

Is there an analogy between Sony Classical JP and JVC Japan? Or whatever the entity which remastered more than a few of the Reiner /Chicago recordings and were included in the Reiner box? Maybe we’ll get lucky with the Szell box.

[Thornhill]

On Thursday, April 26, 2018 at 10:31:01 PM UTC-4, music lover wrote:
> Is there an analogy between Sony Classical JP and JVC Japan? Or whatever the entity which remastered more than a few of the Reiner /Chicago recordings and were included in the Reiner box? Maybe we’ll get lucky with the Szell box.

My guess is that it all comes down to the person in charge of the box set and the budget they are given from Sony — will they go the extra mile to get access to the Sony JP material?

The lack of "Live in Tokyo" is a bit worrying. I suspect that the Cleveland Orchestra owns the domestic rights to it because they've issued it twice while Sony France and JP have issued it internationally — it's never been issued domestically by Sony Classical. I'm sure they would have had to pay the Cleveland Orchestra a licensing fee; how much could that have really been? Did they even try to get it?

And the horrendous cover art isn't encouraging. It's like they went out of their way to find the worst photo of Szell. He's not even wearing a suit!

Let's face it, Szell has never received the kind of love from Columbia/CBS/Sony that Bernstein, Gould, and Boulez got.

[jserr...@sehs.net]

With thanks to a member on another board.


From Sony:

The George Szell Box is being produced by our in-house
producer Robert Russ with engineers from Swan Studios, NYC, Andreas K. Meyer
and Rebekah Wineman as well as b-sharp, Berlin, Martin Kistner and Matthias Erb."

Complete TOC list in Japanese on HMV Japan
https://tinyurl.com/y7anvf85

[jserr...@gmail.com]

Robert Russ produced the Serkin, Munch, and Reiner boxes.

[Oscar]

Robert Russ has produced all the Sony big boxes of the last 7 or 8 or so years. Including obtaining Japanese XRCD masters for Rubinstein and Toscanini boxes.

[jserr...@gmail.com]

On Saturday, May 12, 2018 at 2:42:05 PM UTC-4, Oscar wrote:
> Robert Russ has produced all the Sony big boxes of the last 7 or 8 or so years. Including obtaining Japanese XRCD masters for Rubinstein and Toscanini boxes.

Thank you for the further info on Robert Russ.

Here's an English TOC from the HMV Japanese, with apologies for any errors.

Disc 1
Dvorak:
1. Slavonic Dance No. 1 Op.46-1
2. Slavonic Dance No. 3 Op. 46-3
3. Slavonic Dance No. 8 Op. 46 - 8
4. Slavonic Dance No. 10 Op. 72 - 2
5. Slavonic Dance No. 15 Op. 72 - 7
6. Smetana: String Quartet No. 1 "From My Life" (Arr. Szell)
April 21, 1947 (1-5), April 26, 1947 (6)

Disc 2
1. Beethoven: Symphony No. 4 Denver major Op. 60
April 22, 1947
2. Schumann: Symphony No. 4 in minor Op. 120
November 26, 1947

Disc 3
1. Mozart: Symphony No. 39 in D major, K.543
April 22, 1947
2. Haydn: Symphony No. 92 major, "Oxford"
April 27, 1949

Disc 4
1. Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 4 in A major Op. 90 "Italian"
November 26, 1947, November 17, 1951
2. Hindemit: Symbolic transformation by Weber's subject
November 25, 1947
3. R. Strauss: Symphonic poem "Funny Prank of Till Eylenspiegel" Op.28
April 15, 1949

Disc 5
1. Dvorak: Symphony No. 9 E Minor Op. 95 "From the New World"
January 18, 1952

Disc 6
1. Liszt: Piano Concerto No. 2 A major, S. 125
2. Weber: Konzert Stück in F minor Op. 79
Robert Casadesus (piano)
January 20, 1952

Disc 7
1. Schumann: Symphony No. 2 in C Major Op. 61
November 28, 1952

Disc 8
1. Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 1 in minor, Op.15
Rudolf Serkin (piano)
November 30, 1952
Disc 9
1. J. S. Bach: Violin Concerto in G minor BWV. 1056 (Shigetti Edition)
January 13, 1954
2. Handel: Violin · Sonatani major, HWV 371
February 23, 1954
3. Tartini: Violin Concerto in D Minor, D.45
January 15, 1954
4. Tartini: Violin · Sonatate major, B.G.19
February 22, 1954
5. J. S. Bach: Violin Concerto in E major, BWV. 1053
January 6, 1953
Josef Szigeti (violin: 1-4)
Zino Franciscatti (violin: 5)
Carlo Buzzotti (piano: 2, 4)
Columbia Symphony Orchestra (1,3,5)

Disc 10
1. Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 24 in C major, K 491
January 12 - 13, 1954
2. Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 26 in D major K.537 "Coronation ceremony"
January 15 - 16, 1954
Robert Casadesus (piano)
Columbia Symphony Orchestra

Disc 11
1. Dvorak: Piano Concerto in G minor Op.33
April 9, 11, 1954
2. Tchaikovsky: Variations on Rococo's Theme Op.33
January 8, 1952
Rudolf Firkusny (piano: 1)
Leonard Rose (cello: 2)

Disc 12
1. Beethoven: Symphony No. 5 in C minor Op. 67 "Fate"
2. Schubert: Symphony No. 8 minor D. 759 "Unfinished"
November 26, 1955

Disc 13
1. Haydn: Symphony No. 88 in G major
2. Haydn: Symphony No. 104 in D major "London"
April 9, 1954

Disc 14
1. Dvorak: Slavic Dance Collection Op.46 (8 songs in total)
2. Dvorak: Love Dance Collection Op. 72 (All 8 Songs)
January 1963 - January 1965


Disc 15
1. Mozart: Symphony No. 40 in G minor, K.550
2. Mozart: Symphony No. 41 in C major, K.551 "Jupiter"
November 18, 1955

Disc 16
1. Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 10 (two pianos) K.365
December 19, 1955, 21
2. Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 12 in A major, K.414
December 20, 1955
Robert Casadesus (piano)
Gaby Casadesus (Piano: 1)
Columbia Symphony Orchestra

Disc 17
Wagner:
1. Ride of the Valkyries (Walkure)
2. Magic Fire Music (Walkure)
3. Forest Murmurs (Siegfried)
4. Siegfried’s Rhine Journey (Gotterdammerung)
5. Siegfried’s Funeral March (Gotterdammerung)
November 2, 1956

Disc 18
1. Rachmaninov: Rhapsody on Paganini Theme Op.43
October 26, 1956
2. Franck: Symphonic Variations M.46
December 28, 1956
3. Delius: "Ilmeline" prelude
October 28, 1956
Leon Fleischer (piano: 1, 2)

Disc 19
1. Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 17 in G major, K. 453
November 20-21, 1955
2. Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 25 in C major, K.503
20 - 21 November 1955, 16 April 1953
Rudolf Serkin (piano)
Columbia Symphony Orchestra

Disc 20
1. Brahms: Symphony No. 1 in C minor
1-2 March 1957

Disc 21
1. Beethoven: Symphony No. 3 Change Ho major Op.55 "Eroica"
February 22 - 23, 1957

Disc 22
1. Schubert: Symphony No. 9 in C major D.944 "Great"
November 1, 1957

Disc 23
1. R. Strauss: Symphonic poem "Til Eulenspiegel's Merry Pranks" Op.28
2. R. Strauss: Symphonic poem "Don Juan" Op.20
3. R. Strauss: Symphonic poem "Death and Transfiguration Op.24
March 29, 1957

Disc 24
1. Haydn: Symphony No. 97 in C Major
2. Haydn: Symphony No. 99 in E-flat Major
October 25 - 26, 1957

Disc 25
1. Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 20 mini K.466
2. Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 18 in D major, K.456
Robert Casadesus (piano)
October 10 - 11, 1957

Disc 26
1. Tchaikovsky: Capriccio italien Op.45
2. Borodin: Polovtsian Dances
3. Rimsky = Korsakov: Capriccio espagnole Op.34
4. Mussorgsky: Preludes from "Khovanshina" "Dawn of the Moscow River"
February 28, 1958, March 1st

Disc 27
1. Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 1 in minor, Op.15
Leon Fleischer (piano)
February 21-22, 1958

Disc 28
1. J. Strauss II: Overture "Fledermaus"
March 1, 1958
2. Aubert: "Fra Diavolo" Overture
November 2, 1957
3. Mozart: "Marriage of Figaro" Overture
October 25, 1957
4. Smetana: "Bartered Bride" Overture
March 15, 1958
5. Rossini: "Thieving Magpie” Overture
March 15, 1958
6. Berlioz: Overture “Roman Carnival “
March 15, 1958
7. Mozart: “Schauspieldirektor” Overture
January 28 - 29, 1966

Disc 29
1. Dvorak: Symphony No. 8 in G major Op. 88
October 25, 31, November 1, 1958

Disc 30
1. Walton: Partita for orchestra
January 21, 1959
2. Mahler: Symphony No. 10 from Adagio (Krushenek Edition)
3. Mahler: Symphony No. 10 from Purgatorio (Krushenek Edition)
November 1, 1958

Disc 31
1. Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 4 major, Op. 58
2. Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 25 in C major, K.503
Leon Fleischer (piano)
January 10, 1959

Disc 32
1. Dvorak: Symphony No. 9 E Minor Op. 95 "From the New World"
March 20 - 21, 1959

Disc 33
1. Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 5 E Minor Op. 64
23-24 October 1959

Disc 34
1. Beethoven: Symphony No. 7 in A major 92 Op. 92
October 30-31, 1959

Disc 35
1. Prokofiev: Symphony No. 5 Op.100
October 24 and 31, 1959

Disc 36
1. Grieg: Piano Concerto in a minor Op.16
2. Schumann: Piano Concerto in a minor Op.54
Leon Fleischer (piano)
January 8, 1960

Disc 37
1. Dvorak: Symphony No. 7 in minor Op. 70
March 18, 1960

Disc 38
1. Mozart: Symphony No. 35 in D major, K. 385 "Hafner"
January 8-10, 1960
2. Mozart: Symphony No. 39 in D major, K.543
March 11 - 12, 1960
3. Mozart: Symphony No. 40 in G minor, K.550
August 25, 1967

Disc 39
1. Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 22 E-flat Major K.482
November 13, 1959
2. Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 23 in A major, K.488
November 14-15, 1958
Robert Casadesus (piano)

Disc 40
1. Schumann: Symphony No. 1 Op. 38 "Spring"
January 21, 1959
2. Schumann: "Manfred" Overture Op.115
January 21, 1959
3. Schumann: Symphony No. 2 in C Major Op. 61
October 21, 24, 1960

Disc 41
1. Schumann: Symphony No. 3 in E-flat major Op.97 "Rhenish"
October 21, 1960
2. Schumann: Symphony No. 4 in minor Op. 120
March 12, 22, 1960

Disc 42
1. R. Strauss: Symphonic poem "Don Quixote" Op.35
Pierre Fournier (cello)
October 28 - 29, 1960

Disc 43
1. Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 1 in C Major Op.15
Leon Fleischer (piano)
February 25, 1961

Disc 44
1. Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 2 in D major Op.19
2. Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 3 in C minor Op.37
Leon Fleischer (piano)
April 16, 1961

Disc 45
1. Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 5 E-flat Major Op. 73 "Emperor"
Leon Fleischer (piano)
March 3-4, 1961

Disc 46
1. Beethoven: Symphony No. 9 Op. 125 "Chorus"
Adele Addison (soprano), Jane Hobson (mezzo soprano)
Richard Lewis (tenor), Donald Bell (baritone) & Choir
April 15, 21, 22 April 1961

Disc 47
1. Beethoven: Symphony No. 8 in F major Op. 93
April 15, 1961

Disc 48
1. Stravinsky: suite "Firebird" (1919 edition)
February 24, 1961, March 3, 4
2. Walton: Symphony No. 2
February 24, 1961

Disc 49
1. Schubert: Symphony No. 8 Minor D. 759 "Unfinished"
March 12, 1960
2. Haydn: Symphony No. 92 major, "Oxford"
October 20, 1961

Disc 50
1. Mozart: Clarinet Concerto in A major K.622
October 21, 1961
2. R. Strauss: Horn Concerto No. 1 Everyday Major Op. 11
October 27, 1961
Robert Marcellus (clarinet)
Myron Bloom (Horn)

Disc 51
1. Prelude from "Tristan and Isolde" and "Liebestod"
2. Prelude to Act 1 "Meistersinger"
3. Overture "Tannhäuser"
January 26, 1962

Disc 52
1. Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto in E Minor Op.64
December 1, 1961
2. Bruch: Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor Op.26
January 23, 1962
Zino Franciscatti (violin)
Columbia Symphony Orchestra
Thomas Schippers, New York Philharmonic (2)

Disc 53
1. Beethoven: Symphony No. 6 in F major Op. 68 "Pastoral"
January 20-21, 1962

Disc 54
1. Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 2 Op. 83
Leon Fleischer (piano)
October 19, 1962

Disc 55
1. Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 26 in D major K.537 "Coronation "
2. Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 27 in D major in K.595
Robert Casadesus (piano)
Columbia Symphony Orchestra
2-4 November 1962

Disc 56
1. Bartok: Piano Concerto No. 1 Sz.83
Rudolf Serkin (piano)
Columbia Symphony Orchestra
April 20-21, 1962
2. Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No. 4, Denver Op. 53
Rudolf Serkin (piano)
Eugene Ormandy, Philadelphia Orchestra
March 30, 1958

Disc 57
1. J. Strauss II: Waltz “Blue Danube" Op.314
2. J. Strauss II & Josef Strauss: Pizzicato Polka
3. Josef Strauss: Waltz "Deliren” Op.212
4. J. Strauss II: Waltz "Voices of Spring" Op.410
5. Josef Strauss: Waltz " Village Swallows from Austria" Op.164
6. J. Strauss II: Perpetuum Mobile Op.257
January 5, 1962

Disc 58
1. Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 4 in A major Op. 90 "Italian"
October 26, 1962
2. Mendelssohn: Overture "Fingal's Cave" Op.26
October 26, 1962
3. Weber: "Oberon" Overture
January 4, 1963

Disc 59
1. Debussy: Symphonic poem "La Mer" L. 109
2. Ravel: "Daphnis and Chloe" Second Suite
3. Ravel: Pavane for a Dead Princess
January 11 - 12, 1963

Disc 60
1. Beethoven: Symphony No. 4 Op. 60
2. Beethoven: Overture "Leonore" No. 3 Op. 73b
April 5-6, 1963

Disc 61
1. Smetana: "Moldau" from "My Country"
January 4-5, 1963
2. Smetana: Three Dances from "The Bartered Bride"
August 2, 1962, January 4-5, 1963
3. Dvorak: Overture 'Carnival' Op.92
July 19, 1962, January 4-5, 1963
4. Dvorak: Slavonic Dances Op.46 No. 1, No. 3
July 19, 1962, August 2, 1962, January 4-5, 1963
5. Dvorak: Slavonic Dances Op. 72, No. 2, No. 7
July 19, 1962, August 2, 1962, January 4-5, 1963

Disc 62
1. Mussorgsky: Suite " Pictures at an Exhibition" (Ravel)
2. Liadoff: The Enchanted Lake Op.62
October 30, 1963

Disc 63
1. Mozart: Symphony No. 33 in B-flat K.319
October 26, 1962
2. Mozart: Divertimento in D Major K.131
April 20, 1963
3. Mozart: Symphony No. 28 in C major, K.200
October 5, 1965

Disc 64
1. Mozart: Violin Concerto No. 1 Denomi key major K. 207
Isaac Stern (violin)
Columbia Symphony Orchestra
January 22 - 23, 1961
2. Mozart: Violin Concerto No. 5 in A major, K.219 "Turkish"
Isaac Stern (violin)
Columbia Symphony Orchestra
April 19, 1963
3. Mozart: Violin Concerto No. 3 in G major K.216
Isaac Stern (violin)
Cleveland Orchestra members
January 21-22, 1961

Disc 65
1. Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 19 in F major, K.459
2. Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 20 K.466
Rudolf Serkin (piano)
Columbia Symphony Orchestra
26-28 April 1961

Disc 66
1. Mozart: Sinfonia Concertante K.364
Rafael Druian (violin), Abraham Skernick (viola)
Cleveland Orchestra members
December 28, 1963
2. Mozart: Motet "Exsultate, jubilate" K.165
Judith Raskin (soprano)
Cleveland Orchestra members
May 11, 1964

Disc 67
1. Beethoven: Symphony No. 5 in C minor Op. 67
2. Mozart: Symphony No. 41 in C major, K.551 "Jupiter"
October 11 and 25, 1963

Disc 68
1. R. Strauss: Symphonia Domestica Op.53
January 10, 1964

Disc 69
1. Barber: Piano Concerto Op.38
John Browning (piano)
January 3, 1964
2. William Schuman: Song of Orpheus
Leonard Rose (cello)
January 11, 1964

Disc 70
1. Brahms: Symphony No. 3 F major Op. 90
October 16, 1964
2. Brahms: Variations on a Theme of Haydn Op.56a
October 24, 1964

Disc 71
1. Beethoven: Symphony No. 1 in C Major Op.21
October 2, 1964
2. Beethoven: Symphony No. 2 in D major Op. 36
October 23, 1964

Disc 72
1. Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 21 in C major, K.467
2. Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 24 in C major, K.491
Robert Casadesus (piano)
3-5 November 1961

Disc 73
1. Dvorak: Slavonic Dances Op.46 (8 )
2. Dvorak: Slavonic Dances Op. 72 (8)
July 19, 1962, August 2, 1962, January 4-5, 1963

Disc 74
1. Bartok: Concerto for Orchestra Sz.116
January 15 - 16, 1965
2. Janacek: Sinfonietta Op.60
October 15, 1965

Disc 75
1. Mahler: Symphony No. 4 in G major
Judith Raskin (soprano)
October 1-2, 1965

Disc 76
1. Bizet: "Arlesienne" Suite 1
Recording: March 25, 1965
2. Bizet: "Farandole" from "Arlesienne” Suite 2
Recording: March 25, 1965
3. Grieg: "Peer Gynt" Suite 1
Recording: February 16, 1965
4. Grieg: "Solveig’s Song" from "Peer Gynt" Suite 2
Recording: February 16, 1965

Disc 77
1. Bruckner: Symphony No. 3 (1889 3rd ed. Novak version)
Recording: January 28 - 29, 1966

Disc 78
Wagner:
1. "Flying Dutchman" Overture
2. "Faust" Overture
3. Prelude to Act 1 "Lohengrin"
4. "Rienzi" Overture
Recording: December 10, 1965

Disc 79
Prokofiev:
1. Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Major Op.26
2. Piano Concerto No. 1 in D-flat Major Op.10
Gary Graffman (piano)
Recording: March 26, 1966
3. Piano Sonata No. 3 in A Minor "From Old Notebooks" Op 28
Gary Graffman (piano)
Recording: December 26, 1962

Disc 80
Beethoven:
1. "Egmont" Overture Op. 84
Recording: October 8, 1966
2. "Coriolan" Overture Op.62
Recording: October 29, 1966
3. "King Stephen” Overture Op. 117
Recording: October 29, 1966
4. "Leonore" Overture No. 2 Op. 72b
Recording: October 8, 1966
5. "Leonore" Overture No. 1 Op.138
Recording: August 25, 1967
6. "Fidelio" Overture Op. 72b
Recording: August 25, 1967


Disc 81
1. Brahms: Symphony No. 1 in C minor Op. 68
Recording: October 7, 1966

Disc 82
Brahms:
1. Symphony No. 2 in D Major Op. 73
Recording: January 6, 1967
2. Academic Festival Overture Op.80
Recording: October 28, 1966
3. Tragic Overture Op.81
Recording: October 28, 1966

Disc 83
1. Brahms: Symphony No. 4 in C minor Op. 98
Recording: April 8, 1966

Disc 84
1. Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat Major Op. 83
Rudolf Serkin (piano)
Recording: January 21-22, 1966

Disc 85
1. Mendelssohn: "Midsummer Night's Dream" Overture Op.21
2. Mendelssohn: From Incidental Music to 'MND’ Op. 61 (Scherzo, Nocturne, Interlude, Marriage March)
Recording: January 13, 1967
3. Schubert: From Incidental Music to "Rosamunde" D.797 Op 26 (Overture, Interlude 3, Ballet Music 2)
Recording: January 7, 1967

Disc 86
Rossini:
1. "Viaggio a Reims" Overture
Recording: January 14, 1967
2. "Scala di sieta" Overture
Recording: May 27, 1967
3. Overture 'Italiana in Algieri'
Recording: May 5, 1967
4. "Turco in Italia" Overture
Recording: January 14, 1967
5. "Thieving Magpie" Overture
Recording: May 5, 1967

Disc 87
1. Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 1 in minor, Op.15
Rudolf Serkin (piano)
Recording: April 19 - 20, 1968

Disc 88
1. Haydn: Symphony No. 93 in D major
Recording: April 19, 1968
2. Haydn: Symphony No. 94 in G major "Surprise"
Recording: May 5, 1967

Disc 89
1. Hindemith: Symphonic Metamorphosis of Themes by C.M. von Weber
Recording: October 10, 1964
2. Janacek: Variations on a Theme by Hindemith
Recording: October 9, 1964

Disc 90
1. Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 15 Bloomberg major, K.450
Recording: October 18, 1968
2. Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 17 in G major, K. 453
Recording: October 18, 19, 21, 1964
Robert Casadesus (piano)

Disc 91
1. Mozart: Serenade No. 13 K.525 "Eine Kleine Nachtmusik"
Recording: October 7, 1968
2. Mozart: Serenade No. 9 K.320 "Posthorn"
Recording: January 10, 1969

Disc 92
Wagner:
1. "The Entrance to Valhalla" from "Rheingold "
2. "Valkyrie's Ride" from "Walkure"
3. "Magical Fire Music" from "Walkure"
4. “Forest Murmurs” from "Siegfried"
5. "Siegfried’s Rhine Journey” from “Gotterdammerung"
6. "Siegfried's Funeral March" from “Gotterdammerung"
Recording: October 7, 11. 12, 1968

Disc 93
1. Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat Minor Op.23
Gary Graffman (piano)
Recording: January 24 - 25, 1969, March 20

Disc 94
1. Kodaly: "Hary Janos" Suite
Recording: January 10 - 11, 1969
2. Prokofiev: Suite "Lieutenant Kije"
Recording: January 17-18, 1969

Discs 95-96
1. Bruckner: Symphony No. 8 in C major (1890 2nd Novak version)
Recording: 3, 6, 10, 13 October 1969
Disc 97
1. Haydn: Symphony No. 95 in C minor
Recording: January 17-18, 1969
2. Haydn: Symphony No. 96 in D major "Miracle"
Recording: October 11 - 12, 1969

Disc 98
1. Haydn: Symphony No. 97 in C Major
Recording: October 3, 6, 1969
2. Haydn: Symphony No. 98 in B-flat Major
Recording: October 10, 1969

Disc 99
1. Mahler: Symphony No. 6 in Minor "Tragic"
Recording: October 1967 (live)

Disc 100
1. Smetana: "Moldau" from "My Country"
Recording: January 7 - 8, 1951
2. Smetana: "From the Bohemian Forest and the Prairie" from "My Country"
Recording: January 8, 1951
3. Mendelssohn: "Midsummer Night's Dream" Overture Op.21
4. Mendelssohn: From "MND" Op. 61 (Scherzo, Nocturne, Interlude, Marriage March)
Recording: January 8, 17, 1951
New York Philharmonic Orchestra

Disc 101
1. Wagner: Prelude to Act 1 of "Die Meistersinger"
Recording: January 8, 1951
2. Wagner: "Rienzi" Overture
3. Wagner: "Tannhäuser" Overture
4. Wagner: "The Fying Dutchman" Overture
Recording: January 4, 1951
5. Weber: "Der Freischutz" Overture
6. Weber: "Oberon" Overture
Recording: January 8, 1951
New York Philharmonic Orchestra

Disc 102
1. Beethoven: Symphony No. 6 in F major Op. 68 "Pastoral"
New York Philharmonic Orchestra
Recording: December 5, 1955

Disc 103
1. Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat Minor Op.23
Vladimir Horowitz (piano)
New York Philharmonic Orchestra
Recording: January 12, 1953 (live)
Disc 104
1. Mozart: Piano Quartet No. 1 in G minor K.478
2. Mozart: Piano Quartet No.2 in E-flat major K.493
George Szell (piano)
Budapest String Quartet
Recording: August 19 - 20, 1946

Disc 105
Mozart:
1. Violin · Sonata in F major, K.376
2. Violin · Sonatad major, K. 301
3. Violin · Sonata in E minor K.304
4. Violin · Sonatta C major, K.296
Rafael Druian (violin)
George Szell (piano)
Recording: 1-3 August 1967

Disc 106
1. Trad: Happy Birthday (Hershey Kay)
2. Trad: Deck the Hall with Boughs of Holly (Hershey Kay)
3. Trad: Patatan (Hershey Kay)
Recording: May 12, 1967

4. George Szell interview: Talking about 1947-1970 with the Cleveland Orchestra
5. George Szell interview: Talking about "R. Strauss: Domestic Symphony"
6. George Szell interview: Talking about "Mozart: Symphonies No. 28 & 33"
7. George Szell Interview: Talking about "Bruckner: Symphony No. 3"
8. George Szell interview: Talking about "Brahms: Variations on the Theme of Haydn, Tragic Overture"
9. George Szell and Producer Paul Myer: Discuss music, musicians, conductor's life

[Jon Bell]

On 5/13/18 8:41 AM, jserr...@gmail.com wrote:
> On Saturday, May 12, 2018 at 2:42:05 PM UTC-4, Oscar wrote:
>
> Here's an English TOC from the HMV Japanese, with apologies for any errors.

Thanks! Now I have something to compare to my database, to see which
gaps this fills in my collection. My copies of many of Lani Spahr's
private label CD-R's failed when I tried to rip or play them several
years ago (curse you, Memorex!). Many of his transfers were released on
Naxos outside the US, but not all.

[jserr...@gmail.com]

It has been pointed out to me by a Szell expert that "the date info on the HMV/Japan disc listing for disc 14, Dvorak Slavonic dances is incorrect. This first complete set by Szell, in mono, was recorded over 2 different sessions - Feb. 24 -26 and March 16 - 17, 1956". Thanks for the correction.

[jserr...@gmail.com]

Here is a complete, corrected version of the Szell megabox TOC:

Disc 1
Dvorak:
1. Slavonic Dance No. 1 Op.46-1
2. Slavonic Dance No. 3 Op. 46-3
3. Slavonic Dance No. 8 Op. 46 - 8
4. Slavonic Dance No. 10 Op. 72 - 2
5. Slavonic Dance No. 15 Op. 72 - 7
6. Smetana: String Quartet No. 1 "From My Life" (Arr. Szell)
April 21, 1947 (1-5), April 26, 1947 (6)

Disc 2

1. Beethoven: Symphony No. 4 Op. 60
April 22, 1947
2. Schumann: Symphony No. 4 Op. 120

November 26, 1947

Disc 3
1. Mozart: Symphony No. 39 in D major, K.543
April 22, 1947

2. Haydn: Symphony No. 92 "Oxford"

April 27, 1949

Disc 4
1. Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 4 in A major Op. 90 "Italian"
November 26, 1947, November 17, 1951

2. Hindemith: Symphonic Metamorphosis on a Theme by Weber
November 25, 1947
3. R. Strauss: Symphonic Poem "Tll Eulenspiegel's Merry Pranks" Op.28

April 15, 1949

Disc 5

1. Dvorak: Symphony No. 9 in E Minor Op. 95 "From the New World"

January 18, 1952

Disc 6

1. Liszt: Piano Concerto No. 2 in A major, S. 125
2. Weber: Konzertstück in F minor Op. 79

Robert Casadesus (piano)
January 20, 1952

Disc 7
1. Schumann: Symphony No. 2 in C Major Op. 61
November 28, 1952

Disc 8

1. Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 1 in D minor, Op.15

Rudolf Serkin (piano)
November 30, 1952

Disc 9

1. J. S. Bach: Violin Concerto in G minor BWV 1056 (Szigeti Edition)
January 13, 1954
2. Handel: Violin Sonata HWV 371

February 23, 1954
3. Tartini: Violin Concerto in D Minor, D.45
January 15, 1954

4. Tartini: Violin Sonata B.G.19

February 22, 1954
5. J. S. Bach: Violin Concerto in E major, BWV. 1053
January 6, 1953
Josef Szigeti (violin: 1-4)
Zino Franciscatti (violin: 5)
Carlo Buzzotti (piano: 2, 4)
Columbia Symphony Orchestra (1,3,5)

Disc 10

1. Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 24 in C major, K.491

January 12 - 13, 1954
2. Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 26 in D major K.537 "Coronation"

January 15 - 16, 1954
Robert Casadesus (piano)
Columbia Symphony Orchestra

Disc 11
1. Dvorak: Piano Concerto in G minor Op.33
April 9, 11, 1954

2. Tchaikovsky: Variations on a Rococo Theme Op.33

January 8, 1952
Rudolf Firkusny (piano: 1)
Leonard Rose (cello: 2)

Disc 12
1. Beethoven: Symphony No. 5 in C minor Op. 67

2. Schubert: Symphony No. 8 D.759 "Unfinished"

November 26, 1955

Disc 13
1. Haydn: Symphony No. 88 in G major
2. Haydn: Symphony No. 104 in D major "London"
April 9, 1954

Disc 14

1. Dvorak: Slavonic Dances Op.46 (8)

2. Dvorak: Slavonic Dances Op. 72 (8)

Feb. 24-26 and March 16-17, 1956

Disc 15
1. Mozart: Symphony No. 40 in G minor, K.550
2. Mozart: Symphony No. 41 in C major, K.551 "Jupiter"
November 18, 1955

Disc 16
1. Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 10 (two pianos) K.365
December 19, 1955, 21
2. Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 12 in A major, K.414
December 20, 1955
Robert Casadesus (piano)
Gaby Casadesus (Piano: 1)
Columbia Symphony Orchestra

Disc 17
Wagner:
1. Ride of the Valkyries (Walkure)
2. Magic Fire Music (Walkure)
3. Forest Murmurs (Siegfried)
4. Siegfried’s Rhine Journey (Gotterdammerung)
5. Siegfried’s Funeral March (Gotterdammerung)
November 2, 1956

Disc 18

1. Rachmaninov: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini Op.43

October 26, 1956
2. Franck: Symphonic Variations M.46
December 28, 1956

3. Delius: "Irmeline" Prelude

October 28, 1956
Leon Fleischer (piano: 1, 2)

Disc 19
1. Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 17 in G major, K.453
November 20-21, 1955
2. Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 25 in C major, K.503
20 - 21 November 1955, 16 April 1953
Rudolf Serkin (piano)
Columbia Symphony Orchestra

Disc 20
1. Brahms: Symphony No. 1 in C minor
1-2 March 1957

Disc 21

1. Beethoven: Symphony No. 3 Op.55 "Eroica"

February 22 - 23, 1957

Disc 22
1. Schubert: Symphony No. 9 in C major D.944 "Great"
November 1, 1957

Disc 23

1. R. Strauss: Symphonic Poem "Til Eulenspiegel's Merry Pranks" Op.28
2. R. Strauss: Symphonic Poem "Don Juan" Op.20
3. R. Strauss: Symphonic Poem "Death and Transfiguration Op.24

March 29, 1957

Disc 24
1. Haydn: Symphony No. 97 in C Major
2. Haydn: Symphony No. 99 in E-flat Major
October 25 - 26, 1957

Disc 25

1. Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 20 K.466

2. Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 18 in D major, K.456
Robert Casadesus (piano)
October 10 - 11, 1957

Disc 26
1. Tchaikovsky: Capriccio italien Op.45
2. Borodin: Polovtsian Dances
3. Rimsky = Korsakov: Capriccio espagnole Op.34

4. Mussorgsky: Preludes from "Khovanshina"; "Dawn on the Moscow River"
February 28, 1958, March 1, 1958

Disc 27
1. Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 1 in D minor, Op.15

Leon Fleischer (piano)
February 21-22, 1958

Disc 28

1. J. Strauss II: "Fledermaus" Overture

March 1, 1958
2. Aubert: "Fra Diavolo" Overture
November 2, 1957
3. Mozart: "Marriage of Figaro" Overture
October 25, 1957
4. Smetana: "Bartered Bride" Overture
March 15, 1958
5. Rossini: "Thieving Magpie" Overture
March 15, 1958

6. Berlioz: “Roman Carnival" Overture

March 15, 1958
7. Mozart: “Schauspieldirektor” Overture
January 28 - 29, 1966

Disc 29
1. Dvorak: Symphony No. 8 in G major Op. 88

October 25, 31, 1958, November 1, 1958

Disc 30
1. Walton: Partita for Orchestra
January 21, 1959
2. Mahler: Symphony No. 10 I. Adagio (Arr. Krenek)
3. Mahler: Symphony No. 10 III. Purgatorio (Arr. Krenek)

November 1, 1958

Disc 31

1. Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 4 Op. 58

2. Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 25 in C major, K.503
Leon Fleischer (piano)
January 10, 1959

Disc 32

1. Dvorak: Symphony No. 9 in E Minor Op. 95 "From the New World"

March 20 - 21, 1959

Disc 33

1. Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 5 in E Minor Op. 64

23-24 October 1959

Disc 34
1. Beethoven: Symphony No. 7 in A major 92 Op. 92
October 30-31, 1959

Disc 35
1. Prokofiev: Symphony No. 5 Op. 100
October 24 and 31, 1959

Disc 36

1. Grieg: Piano Concerto in A Minor Op.16
2. Schumann: Piano Concerto in A Minor Op.54

Leon Fleischer (piano)
January 8, 1960

Disc 37

1. Dvorak: Symphony No. 7 Op. 70

March 18, 1960

Disc 38

1. Mozart: Symphony No. 35 in D Major, K.385 "Hafner"
January 8-10, 1960
2. Mozart: Symphony No. 39 in D Major, K.543

March 11 - 12, 1960

3. Mozart: Symphony No. 40 in G Minor, K.550

August 25, 1967

Disc 39
1. Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 22 E-flat Major K.482
November 13, 1959

2. Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 23 in A Major, K.488

November 14-15, 1958
Robert Casadesus (piano)

Disc 40
1. Schumann: Symphony No. 1 Op. 38 "Spring"
January 21, 1959
2. Schumann: "Manfred" Overture Op.115
January 21, 1959
3. Schumann: Symphony No. 2 in C Major Op. 61
October 21, 24, 1960

Disc 41

1. Schumann: Symphony No. 3 in E-flat Major Op.97 "Rhenish"
October 21, 1960
2. Schumann: Symphony No. 4 Op. 120

March 12, 22, 1960

Disc 42

1. R. Strauss: Symphonic Poem "Don Quixote" Op.35

Pierre Fournier (cello)
October 28 - 29, 1960

Disc 43
1. Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 1 in C Major Op.15
Leon Fleischer (piano)
February 25, 1961

Disc 44
1. Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 2 in D major Op.19
2. Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 3 in C minor Op.37
Leon Fleischer (piano)
April 16, 1961

Disc 45

1. Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat Major Op. 73 "Emperor"

Leon Fleischer (piano)
March 3-4, 1961

Disc 46

1. Beethoven: Symphony No. 9 Op. 125 "Choral"

Adele Addison (soprano), Jane Hobson (mezzo soprano)
Richard Lewis (tenor), Donald Bell (baritone) & Choir
April 15, 21, 22 April 1961

Disc 47
1. Beethoven: Symphony No. 8 in F major Op. 93
April 15, 1961

Disc 48

1. Stravinsky: "Firebird" Suite (1919 edition)
February 24, 1961, March 3, 4, 1961

2. Walton: Symphony No. 2
February 24, 1961

Disc 49

1. Schubert: Symphony No. 8 D.759 "Unfinished"
March 12, 1960
2. Haydn: Symphony No. 92 Major, "Oxford"

October 20, 1961

Disc 50
1. Mozart: Clarinet Concerto in A major K.622
October 21, 1961

2. R. Strauss: Horn Concerto No. 1 Op. 11

October 27, 1961
Robert Marcellus (clarinet)
Myron Bloom (Horn)

Disc 51

1. Prelude and "Liebestod" from "Tristan and Isolde"

2. Prelude to Act 1 "Meistersinger"
3. Overture "Tannhäuser"
January 26, 1962

Disc 52
1. Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto in E Minor Op.64
December 1, 1961
2. Bruch: Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor Op.26
January 23, 1962
Zino Franciscatti (violin)
Columbia Symphony Orchestra
Thomas Schippers, New York Philharmonic (2)

Disc 53
1. Beethoven: Symphony No. 6 in F major Op. 68 "Pastoral"
January 20-21, 1962

Disc 54
1. Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 2 Op. 83
Leon Fleischer (piano)
October 19, 1962

Disc 55
1. Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 26 in D major K.537 "Coronation "

2. Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 27 in D major K.595

Robert Casadesus (piano)
Columbia Symphony Orchestra
2-4 November 1962

Disc 56
1. Bartok: Piano Concerto No. 1 Sz.83
Rudolf Serkin (piano)
Columbia Symphony Orchestra
April 20-21, 1962

2. Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No. 4 Op. 53

Rudolf Serkin (piano)
Eugene Ormandy, Philadelphia Orchestra
March 30, 1958

Disc 57
1. J. Strauss II: Waltz “Blue Danube" Op.314
2. J. Strauss II & Josef Strauss: Pizzicato Polka
3. Josef Strauss: Waltz "Deliren” Op.212
4. J. Strauss II: Waltz "Voices of Spring" Op.410
5. Josef Strauss: Waltz " Village Swallows from Austria" Op.164
6. J. Strauss II: Perpetuum Mobile Op.257
January 5, 1962

Disc 58
1. Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 4 in A major Op. 90 "Italian"
October 26, 1962
2. Mendelssohn: Overture "Fingal's Cave" Op.26
October 26, 1962
3. Weber: "Oberon" Overture
January 4, 1963

Disc 59

1. Debussy: Symphonic Poem "La Mer" L. 109
2. Ravel: "Daphnis and Chloe" Suite No. 2

3. Mozart: Symphony No. 28 in C major K.200

October 5, 1965

Disc 64

1. Mozart: Violin Concerto No. 1 K. 207

2. Mozart: Symphony No. 41 in C major K.551 "Jupiter"

October 11 and 25, 1963

Disc 68
1. R. Strauss: Symphonia Domestica Op.53
January 10, 1964

Disc 69
1. Barber: Piano Concerto Op.38
John Browning (piano)
January 3, 1964
2. William Schuman: Song of Orpheus
Leonard Rose (cello)
January 11, 1964

Disc 70

1. Brahms: Symphony No. 3 in F major Op.90

October 16, 1964
2. Brahms: Variations on a Theme of Haydn Op.56a
October 24, 1964

Disc 71
1. Beethoven: Symphony No. 1 in C Major Op.21
October 2, 1964
2. Beethoven: Symphony No. 2 in D major Op. 36
October 23, 1964

Disc 72
1. Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 21 in C major, K.467
2. Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 24 in C major, K.491
Robert Casadesus (piano)
3-5 November 1961

Disc 73
1. Dvorak: Slavonic Dances Op.46 (8)

2. Dvorak: Slavonic Dances Op.72 (8)

July 19, 1962, August 2, 1962, January 4-5, 1963

Disc 74
1. Bartok: Concerto for Orchestra Sz.116
January 15 - 16, 1965
2. Janacek: Sinfonietta Op.60
October 15, 1965

Disc 75
1. Mahler: Symphony No. 4 in G major
Judith Raskin (soprano)
October 1-2, 1965

Disc 76
1. Bizet: "Arlesienne" Suite 1

March 25, 1965
2. Bizet: "Farandole" from "Arlesienne” Suite 2

March 25, 1965
3. Grieg: "Peer Gynt" Suite 1

February 16, 1965
4. Grieg: "Solveig’s Song" from "Peer Gynt" Suite 2

February 16, 1965

Disc 77
1. Bruckner: Symphony No. 3 (1889 3rd ed. Novak version)

January 28 - 29, 1966

Disc 78
Wagner:
1. "Flying Dutchman" Overture
2. "Faust" Overture

3. "Lohengrin" Prelude to Act 1
4. "Rienzi" Overture

December 10, 1965

Disc 79
Prokofiev:
1. Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Major Op.26
2. Piano Concerto No. 1 in D-flat Major Op.10
Gary Graffman (piano)

March 26, 1966
3. Piano Sonata No. 3 in A Minor "From Old Notebooks" Op 28
Gary Graffman (piano)

December 26, 1962

Disc 80
Beethoven:
1. "Egmont" Overture Op. 84

October 8, 1966
2. "Coriolan" Overture Op.62

October 29, 1966
3. "King Stephen” Overture Op. 117

October 29, 1966
4. "Leonore" Overture No. 2 Op. 72b

October 8, 1966
5. "Leonore" Overture No. 1 Op.138

August 25, 1967
6. "Fidelio" Overture Op. 72b

August 25, 1967

Disc 81
1. Brahms: Symphony No. 1 in C minor Op. 68

October 7, 1966

Disc 82
Brahms:
1. Symphony No. 2 in D Major Op. 73

January 6, 1967
2. Academic Festival Overture Op.80

October 28, 1966
3. Tragic Overture Op.81

October 28, 1966

Disc 83
1. Brahms: Symphony No. 4 in C minor Op. 98

April 8, 1966

Disc 84
1. Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat Major Op. 83
Rudolf Serkin (piano)

January 21-22, 1966

Disc 85
1. Mendelssohn: "Midsummer Night's Dream" Overture Op.21
2. Mendelssohn: From Incidental Music to 'MND’ Op. 61 (Scherzo, Nocturne, Interlude, Marriage March)

January 13, 1967
3. Schubert: From Incidental Music to "Rosamunde" D.797 Op 26 (Overture, Interlude 3, Ballet Music 2)

January 7, 1967

Disc 86
Rossini:
1. "Viaggio a Reims" Overture

January 14, 1967
2. "Scala di sieta" Overture

May 27, 1967
3. Overture 'Italiana in Algieri'

May 5, 1967
4. "Turco in Italia" Overture

January 14, 1967
5. "Thieving Magpie" Overture

May 5, 1967

Disc 87
1. Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 1 in minor, Op.15
Rudolf Serkin (piano)

April 19 - 20, 1968

Disc 88
1. Haydn: Symphony No. 93 in D major

April 19, 1968
2. Haydn: Symphony No. 94 in G major "Surprise"

May 5, 1967

Disc 89
1. Hindemith: Symphonic Metamorphosis of Themes by C.M. von Weber

October 10, 1964
2. Janacek: Variations on a Theme by Hindemith

October 9, 1964

Disc 90
1. Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 15 Bloomberg major, K.450

October 18, 1968
2. Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 17 in G major, K. 453

October 18, 19, 21, 1964
Robert Casadesus (piano)

Disc 91
1. Mozart: Serenade No. 13 K.525 "Eine Kleine Nachtmusik"

October 7, 1968
2. Mozart: Serenade No. 9 K.320 "Posthorn"

January 10, 1969

Disc 92
Wagner:
1. "The Entrance to Valhalla" from "Rheingold "
2. "Valkyrie's Ride" from "Walkure"
3. "Magical Fire Music" from "Walkure"
4. “Forest Murmurs” from "Siegfried"
5. "Siegfried’s Rhine Journey” from “Gotterdammerung"
6. "Siegfried's Funeral March" from “Gotterdammerung"

October 7, 11. 12, 1968

Disc 93
1. Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat Minor Op.23
Gary Graffman (piano)

January 24 - 25, 1969, March 20

Disc 94
1. Kodaly: "Hary Janos" Suite

January 10 - 11, 1969
2. Prokofiev: Suite "Lieutenant Kije"

January 17-18, 1969

Discs 95-96
1. Bruckner: Symphony No. 8 in C major (1890 2nd Novak version)

3, 6, 10, 13 October 1969

Disc 97
1. Haydn: Symphony No. 95 in C minor

January 17-18, 1969
2. Haydn: Symphony No. 96 in D major "Miracle"

October 11 - 12, 1969

Disc 98
1. Haydn: Symphony No. 97 in C Major

October 3, 6, 1969
2. Haydn: Symphony No. 98 in B-flat Major

October 10, 1969

Disc 99
1. Mahler: Symphony No. 6 in Minor "Tragic"

October 1967 (live)

Disc 100
1. Smetana: "Moldau" from "My Country"

January 7 - 8, 1951
2. Smetana: "From the Bohemian Forest and the Prairie" from "My Country"

January 8, 1951
3. Mendelssohn: "Midsummer Night's Dream" Overture Op.21
4. Mendelssohn: From "MND" Op. 61 (Scherzo, Nocturne, Interlude, Marriage March)

January 8, 17, 1951
New York Philharmonic Orchestra

Disc 101
1. Wagner: Prelude to Act 1 of "Die Meistersinger"

January 8, 1951
2. Wagner: "Rienzi" Overture
3. Wagner: "Tannhäuser" Overture
4. Wagner: "The Fying Dutchman" Overture

January 4, 1951
5. Weber: "Der Freischutz" Overture
6. Weber: "Oberon" Overture

January 8, 1951
New York Philharmonic Orchestra

Disc 102
1. Beethoven: Symphony No. 6 in F major Op. 68 "Pastoral"
New York Philharmonic Orchestra

December 5, 1955

Disc 103
1. Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat Minor Op.23
Vladimir Horowitz (piano)
New York Philharmonic Orchestra

January 12, 1953 (live)

Disc 104
1. Mozart: Piano Quartet No. 1 in G minor K.478
2. Mozart: Piano Quartet No.2 in E-flat major K.493
George Szell (piano)
Budapest String Quartet

August 19 - 20, 1946

Disc 105
Mozart:
1. Violin Sonata in F major, K.376

2. Violin Sonata in G major, K.301

3. Violin Sonata in E minor K.304

4. Violin Sonata in C major, K.296

Rafael Druian (violin)
George Szell (piano)

1-3 August 1967

Disc 106
1. Trad: Happy Birthday (Hershey Kay)
2. Trad: Deck the Hall with Boughs of Holly (Hershey Kay)
3. Trad: Patatan (Hershey Kay)

[Thornhill]

On Tuesday, April 10, 2018 at 10:01:50 AM UTC-5, Mark Zimmer wrote:
> On Monday, April 9, 2018 at 12:53:13 PM UTC-5, ArturPS wrote:

> > On Tuesday, February 27, 2018 at 10:38:34 AM UTC-3, J.A.W. wrote:
> > > According to JPC Germany a complete George Szell 106CD-box is scheduled for August: https://www.jpc.de/jpcng/classic/detail/-/art/complete-box-set/hnum/8141265
> >

> > F*ing finally. I've been searching for "szell" and "ormandy" for almost everyday on amazon waiting for the long overdue complete boxes (I stayed away from the korean Szell box after what I read - mainly here). Now I'll continue with "ormandy" until that one is made justice too.
>
> Wouldn't Ormandy's output have to be split up amongst multiple big boxes like those for Bernstein and Karajan? He was awfully prolific.

That would certainly make sense giving how many pieces he recorded three times: mono Columbia, stereo Columbia, and stereo RCA.

With a few exceptions, I can live without the RCA recordings. I'm curious about the mono recordings, but I'm skeptical just how different the interpretations are from the stereo remakes.

[Ed Presson]

"Thornhill" wrote in message
news:0eccbb05-1c89-4163...@googlegroups.com...

>snip<

> Wouldn't Ormandy's output have to be split up amongst multiple big boxes
> like those for Bernstein and Karajan? He was awfully prolific.

>That would certainly make sense giving how many pieces he recorded three
>times: mono Columbia, stereo Columbia, and stereo RCA.

>With a few exceptions, I can live without the RCA recordings. I'm curious
>about the mono recordings, but I'm skeptical just how different the
>interpretations are from the stereo remakes.

I agree about the RCA recordings (except the Shostakovich 15th, and
Rachmaninoff's The Bells). I've heard a few of the mono Sibelius
recordings. I once owned a mono LP of Sibelius tone poems and the stereo
remakes are less exciting. I don't remember many other Ormandy monos.

Ed Presson

[drh8h]

A truly complete set would have to include all of the Victor and Columbia 78s, and there are many, going back to his Minneapolis days in 1934. He recorded a large chunk of the standard symphonic repertory before the modern LP came on the market. It would be an expensive project for Sony, so I imagine it won't happen.

DH

[Thornhill]

I'm not sure how expensive it really would be.

Most, if not all of the stereo recordings have been previously released on CD. Usually for these box sets labels go with whatever is the best available digital transfer — they don't go back and redo everything. And how much can new transfers really cost? Sony claims that the Serkin box set had 45 new ones.

Manufacturing costs have to be pretty minimal, like 10 cents per CD.

I think the only reason this hasn't happened — and why it took so long to get a Szell box set — is that Sony Classical USA is a semi-functional label. They make few new recordings (barely any orchestral — correct me if I'm wrong, but they have no major conductor/orchestra on contract) and they've lost some of their biggest artists.

[drh8h]

I don't know. One time I heard it was a rule of thumb that 78 restorations were about twice as expensive as tape. I can imagine they are more time consuming and involve much more work on pitching, stylus selection, etc. Just a thought.

I don't know if there are any criteria that can be used to determine the most recorded conductor of all time, but I have to think Ormandy was close if not the top.

DH

[Thornhill]

Karajan or Mackerras have to hold the top spots.

When you break it down by total hours recorded, I'm sure Ormandy is in the top 10, but probably lower on the list than we think because he only recorded a few operas (and they're all short) and so much of the duplication in his discography are orchestral suites and overtures. Someone like Solti probably ranks higher because he not only cranked out a ton of orchestral recordings, he also recorded much of the core opera repertoire.

[Randy Lane]

I think someone with industry experience once said here that Neville Marriner is the most recorded artist. May have been Tom Deacon.

[Al Eisner]

When the original jackets edition of Szell's Mozart was issued about a
decade ago, Sony filled out some of the CD's with the mono performances
of the last three symphonies. It's been a long time since I listened to
the set, but I recall that, while not greatly different, I found the
mono versions a bit preferable. The full set is still available at
Amazon-US in MP3 format, ASIN B001BI0KWS/. And Presto sells a FLAC
download for only slightly more
(https://www.prestoclassical.co.uk/classical/products/7951150--george-szell-plays-conducts-mozart).
The set contains many gems.
--
Al Eisner

[josq...@aol.com]

The box just showed up for pre-order on American Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=B079VD2YRP

$222 - available Aug 10th

The contents are shown in the typical useless Amazon manner. One free set for anyone who can accurately name all the works based on the tempo indicators listed?

[jserr...@gmail.com]

Use the complete TOC posted above and claim your free set.

[Bozo]

>On Friday, March 2, 2018 at 6:48:09 PM UTC-6, josq...@aol.com wrote:
> ...Not sure why that would show up here. Or why the Szigeti sonatas or the Graffman Prokofiev sonata >would be in this box either...

Perhaps because the Graffman Prokofiev sonata was a filler on the original Masterworks lp of the concerti :

http://tinyurl.com/ychrql75

[jsrev...@nyc.rr.com]

The production of the Mozart Sonatas with Szigeti was sold to Vanguard Records where those recording have been available on CD since 1991. Hence, this is not an ommission.

[Thornhill]

I don’t think the interpretations are substantively different. While the 1950s mono sound is actually pretty good, the stereo remakes benefit from superior sound quality.

In general, but not without exceptions, Szell is pretty consistent between recordings — probably because the bulk of his discography was made during a short 15 year timespan (whereas plenty of other conductor span 40 and even 50 years).