Most of the LPs I’ve come across are in good enough shape to be enjoyable – some more mint than others – not too many hopeless cases. I’m looking forward to sharing more impressions about record pressings, labels, recording techniques – anything that may be useful for anyone else messing around with this stuff. Here’s one example………….
My preferred turntable rig for classical LPs is a SONY Linear Tracking direct-drive model from the 1980s. For one thing – it can track even nearly-hopeless records (see the last entry on the New World Symphony….). More importantly I found last year that the cartridge /stylus I’d been using on this turntable makes old mono classical records sound real smooth – a P-mount Grado “Red” model. Here it is in action…………..
Some of the better vinyl pressings I keep an eye out for in my travels come from the Columbia ODYESSY reissue label. This was Columbia’s way of repackaging older classical recordings – re-mastered and reissued with new cover art (well, new for the 70s!). Most of the recordings hail from the late 50s / early 60s and sound really great! The other day I bumped into another of these featuring a violin player I didn’t have much exposure to ….. Zino Francescatti. Side one featured the Violin Concerto of English composer Sir William Walton. Side two – Symphonie Espagnole by Spanish composer Edouard Lalo. Hadn’t heard either piece nor much anything else by these composers. This is the winning combination I tend to look for – plus the record was stone mint! My only hesitation was, ironically enough for someone getting into classical music, THE VIOLIN.
To tell the truth – I’d been listening here and there to different violinists – even some of the “big names” of the 20th Century, but I’ve come to realize that I’m either A) not a real violin guy or B) I’m really picky when it comes to what I like in violin music. On the whole, violin can be a little on the screechy side for my tastes. Now, cello – I’ll listen to cello all day long! But violin – I dunno. Maybe I ought to check out some modern players – most of what I’m hearing comes from the records of the 20th Century-era artists. But I have come across some players that I really do like. So far I’d have to say there has to be a real command of intonation and, for lack of a better term – TONE. Chops are nice, but plenty of players have chops – I listen for soul over chops.
Just when I was ready to write myself off the violin list – along comes Zino! Now, Zino’s been gone since the early 90s (lived to 89 years old!). The music lives on though and I have to give a shout-out for this guy. Anyone who can get me to listen to 4 LP sides of violin concerto music in one night has got something special going on. Right at this moment I’m listening to the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto in D major from the mono Columbia LP pictured below and Zino’s just OWNING those high notes! Not shrill or screechy – when he goes for those high notes or difficult passages it sounds as natural as Hendrix with a Strat.
Not that this magnificent musician needs MY stamp of approval – heh! But I really get a kick out of making musical discoveries even if the whole rest of the world has known about it since before time immortal! Yet – that’s the whole reason for my outlet here: to celebrate sounds rarely heard anymore and find uplifting enjoyment from new sonic vistas (even if they’ve been around for awhile…). As the old year winds down and a new one is upon us – I look forward to more great discoveries down the road. For anyone who takes the time to read this stuff – thanks! And I hope your listening is as exciting as it’s been for me – KEEP SEEKING!!! BRIGHT MOMENTS!!!!!
