get line there is a respectable recording by Sir John Bar- birolliand the Halle Orchestra (Vanguard Everyman 182SD, 182).

Elgar: -The classic Toscaniniper- formance (RCA Victor LM 1725) hasnow been with- drawn; I hope itis scheduled for early reissue on the low -price Victrola label. Until then, the Barbirolli-Halle Orchestra performance (Vanguard Everyman 184SD, 184) is the disc version I prefer, with the more recent and less vital Barbirolli-Philharmonia Orchestra performance the Debussy: Iberia-Ansermet's (London CS 6225, CM current choice on tape (Angel Y2S 3668) -the listed tape 9293) most satisfies me among recordings of all three of (Vanguard C 1915) of the Barbirolli-Halle Orchestraper- Debussy's orchestral Images, with Reiner's (RCA Victrola formance has never reached me for evaluation. VICS/VIC 1025) the best of the recordings of Iberia only (and priced low, too). The Ansermet performance is also Franck: Violin and Piano Sonata-Morini and Firkus- available, coupled with works by Stravinsky and Ravel, ny (Decca 710038, 10038) are my first choice, with Stern- on tape (London L 80085). Zakin (Columbia MS 6139, ML 5470) not far behind. There is no tape version listed in the current catalog. Debussy: La Mer-The Giulini recording (Angel S 35977, 35977) maintains first place for me, and the later of Franck: Symphony in D Minor -The performance by Ansermet's stereo recordings of the score (London CS 6437, and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra CM 9437; tape L 80178) runs a very close second. Either (RCA Victor LSC/LM 2514; tape FTC 2092) remains, for Barbirolli (Vanguard Everyman 177SD, 177) or Munch me, unchallenged. (RCA Victrola VICS/VIC 1041) should satisfy the price- conscious. Gershwin: An American in Paris -Bernstein (Colum- bia MS 6091, ML 5413; tape MQ 322) and Fiedler (RCA Dvadk: Cello Concerto -No new releases have ap- Victor LSC/LM 2367; tape FTC 2004) are my choices. peared in the last year. Thus I continue to favor the Rose- Gershwin: Piano Concerto in F -The team of Earl Ormandy (Columbia MS 6714, ML 6114) and Starker- Wild and (RCA Victor LSC/LM 2586; tape Dorati performances (Mercury SR 90303, MG 50303; tape FTC 2101) delivers a highly -charged performance; two ST 90303) among the stereo -mono versions. But do not Andres, Previn and Kostelanetz (Columbia CS 8286, CL overlook the 1937 performance by Pablo Casals with 1495), are less frenzied. Either approach is valid. George Szell conducting the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra (Angel COLH 30) -one of the glories of recorded music. Grieg: Piano Concerto in A Minor -A strong new en- try has recently been added to the lists: Gina Bachauer, Dvoidk: Symphony No. 7 in D Minor -This one is a with George Weldon conducting the Royal Philharmonic toss-up between Kertesz (London CS 6402, CM 9402), Orchestra (Seraphim S 60032, 60032), but my preference Monteux (RCA Victor LSC/LM 2489, a recent catalog cut- remains the Rubinstein performance (RCA Victor LSC/ out), and Szell (Epic BC 1111, LC 3748; tape EC 823; the LM 2566; tape FTC 2100). Among older recordings, Lipat- latter is also included in Epic's disc and tape collections ti's (Columbia ML 4525) is still worth seeking out. of Szell-Cleveland Orchestra performances of Dvaik's Seventh, Eighth, and Ninth Symphonies). Handel: Messiah -One of the most dramatic develop- ments in the recordings arena in recent months has been Dvadk: Symphony No. 8 in G -Several conductors the appearance of two extraordinary performances of this have evidenced a special feeling for this magical score on much -abused score, one conducted by Colin Davis (Philips recordings -among them Kertesz, Kubelik, Munch, Szell, PHS 3-992, PHM 3-592) and the other by Charles Macker- and Walter. My own preference continues to be the bud- ras (Angel S 3705, 3705). Both amount to major restora- get -priceBarbirolliperformance(Vanguard Everyman tions of Handel's intentions, with Mackerras scoring high- 133SD, 133), but any one of those already named should erforhistoricalandstylisticauthenticity,Davisfor prove deeply satisfying. Tape fans are directed to either recorded sound and choice of vocal soloists. Neither version the Kertesz (London K 80133) or Szell (Epic EC 806) isyetavailable on tape, though chances are that the performance. Mackerras soon will be. Dvoidk: Symphony No. 9 in E Minor ("From the Handel: The Water Music-Menuhin holds first place New World") -The temporarily withdrawn Toscanini in my affections among the recorded versions of the com- performance (RCA Victor LM 1778) is due for reissue later plete score (Angel S 36173, 36173: tape Y2S 36279, 33/4 this year in the budget -price Victrola line. It is worth wait- ips), with an interesting budget -price performance con- ing for. It is one of the finest of Toscanini's recordings, a ducted by Pierre Boulez (Nonesuch 71127, 1127). The marvel of coiled tension and vitality.In the meantime Szell-London Symphony performance (London CS 6236, my own favorites among currently available recordings are CM 9305; tape L 80089) is my choice among recordings of those by Bernstein (Columbia MS 6393, ML 5793), Kertesz the suite arranged by Sir Hamilton Harty. (London CS 6228, CM 9295; tape L 80120, or K 80133 with the performance of the Eighth mentioned above), Szell (Epic BC 1026, LC 3575; tape E3C 843) and Walter Martin Bookspan's updatings and second thoughts on (Columbia MS 6066, ML 5384; tape MQ 339). In the bud- the "Basic Repertoire" will be concluded in the July issue.

52 HIFI/ STEREO REVIEW

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