Stravinsky Firebird, Rachmaninov Symphony #2

[musicman]

I would you to consider recording two superb combinations of performance and sound.  The first is the "Firebird" Suite by Stravinsky, Antal Dorati conductor on Mercury Living Presence.  The performance and sound is fantastic. I personally dont think any other recording is as good.  The other one is the achingly beautiful second symphony by Rachmaninov.  Again a superb performance by Andre Previn and the London Symphony on British EMI.  I look forward to hearing some feedback on these suggestions!

David Faulkner

[U47]

Two TOP recommendations on these titles. Previn was a master of this symphony and EMI did a fine job on the recording. I heard him perform it with the BSO at Tanglewood and it was one of the best concerts in memory. Firebird with Dorati is also tops. Great cover art as well. I rate it in the top 10 of all Mercury recordings.

[ironbut]

Mmm! One of my favorite recordings. I have an original lp I bought new way back when. The Classic reissue I also have ain't too shabby either. I haven't heard the Previn but I'll make a point of finding one. It's funny, I had a choral director 30 years ago that was a piece of work. She took every opportunity to tell us about here days of working under Bernstein at Tanglewood. Every time I hear that name, a little shiver still goes down my spine!
BTW the Dorati isn't the suite, it's the complete ballet. Please excuse me, my OCD's showing.

[classicrecordings]

While I really enjoy the Mercury catalogue; I have at least a hundred of their recordings on vinyl and 2 track tapes, The Firebird being one of them, I would suggest that you stay away from mixing down 3 channel recordings. Unless of course you plan of releasing 3 channel tapes with corresponding 3 channel machines...YAAAHHHHHH   :-))

David