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1PD31 Munch in London
Charles Munch was engaged by Decca to record with the Paris Conservatoire Orchestra during their tours of Britain in 1946 and 1947. Here are four fine examples of that collaboration:
- Beethoven Symphony No. 8 in F major Op.93 [listen]
- Saint-Saens Le rouet d'Omphale Op.31 [listen]
- Mendelssohn Symphony No 5 in D major Op.107 "Reformation" [listen]
- Ravel Daphnis et Chloe Suites Nos 1 and 2 [listen]
THE RECORDING ENGINEER
This disc is as much about the art of balance engineer Kenneth E. Wilkinson as it is about the conducting style of Charles Munch. "Wilke" as he was known to his colleagues, came to Decca along with Chief Engineer Arthur Haddy when Decca purchased Crystalate Records in 1937. While Haddy concentrated on improving the technology of recording Wilkinson developed the art of placing microphones in a hall to enable the recording to have sufficient presence from the auditorium without overwhelming the orchestral sound. Charles Gerhardt, an RCA producer who often worked with Wilkinson, expressed the view that the Ravel released here for the first time on compact discs was the best recording of Daphnis et Chloe Suites ever made.
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Robert Matthew Walker writes in International Record Review for March 2008:
"They are fascinating performances, notably the Beethoven, where the conductor's brilliant fast speeds and few repeats get through the work in about 22 minutes. The Saint Saens gives the impression of being recorded more distantly, yet the tone on theses 78s is at times very impressive."
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or phone Priory Records 01525 377566
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