Listening to all my RCA Living Stereo LPs: Part 2

In this part I talk about LSC-1817 and LSC-1831.

Edit: I had assumed the "t" in Gaîté Parisienne was silent but apparently it is pronounced in the word. I apologize for this and all future mistakes I will undoubtedly make with the French language.

[rEdf]

I was a child in the 1960's 70's I recall many RCA Living Stereo albums mostly from my grandmothers album collection of classical and adult contemporary favorites of the 1960's. What really struck me as a kid was the stunning, beautiful deep red "Dynagroove" label on the disc with the dark shaded His Masters Voice dog and Gramophone blended in. the most beautiful HMV label ever. The sound quality of the classical music on them was very good for its era.

[ScottHughes-nu]

You need to review Charles Munch's Ravel Daphnis and Chloe. It's one of the finest classical recordings ever made. It was recorded in Symphony Hall Boston in January 1955 and the sound
and performance are amazing. The Daybreak section is incredibly beautiful. Dorio Anthony Dwyer plays the Pan flute solo better than anyone and really demonstrates her artistry. This performance has never been bettered. A desert island, reference recording if ever there was. One of the glories of the 1950's.

[markkrause]

Thank you, Michael, for sharing your knowledge and record collection. It's nice to know there are great musical performances in many diverse genres.

[jazzbumsmike]

Love that this Offenbach ballet was pieced together with scores from Boston Public Library and Harvard, such a cool backstory!

[musiconrecord]

So enjoying this series. Offenbach is so underrated, but fortunately has been getting first rate recordings in recent years. I saw a wonderful production of one of his operettas years ago in UK. This work is a delight - fascinating to hear all the background you gave us and the Boston connection. It's one of Karajan's best recordings (from the 60s) and I also have Solti's WB Decca which is sonically superior. But I just picked up this AP reissue and can't wait to take it for a spin. BTW, if you're ever in Paris, pay a visit to the Vagenende Brasserie on Blvd. St. Germain. It's like walking into the Belle Epoque with its curved, carved mahogany walls inset with mirrors - and the food is fabulous. The world of late Offenbach come to life.

[bobmeyers]

More people need to watch your videos, very informative and entertaining

[jamesmyers]

Thank you for reviewing these gems! I have both AP and original SD of the LSC 1817. The original is more extended highs, even larger soundstage, and just more transparent. This is the best sounding RCA I have heard and along with the Paray Chabrier Mercury SR90212 my favorite sounding record.

[michaelriggs]

Always appreciate your videos. Any chance you will have another one coming up on the DG Original Source releases. You did the vid last year on the first 7...interested to hear your opinions on the releases since then! Thanks!

[Mr.BigSquid]

The original RCA’s are great but I’ve been blown away by the AP reissues. I’d say substantially better overall.

[damianthompson]

You mention Jonathan Valin. For many years I wondered what had happened to the author of some of the most ingenious and atmospheric crime novels of the 1980s and wondered what had happened to him. Now I know!

[NotedArchived]

These can't be long enough! Love it. Luckily have both of those pressings you showed (as well as the 4xLP s/sided Classic version of the Brahms - which is nominally more sweet than the single disc 33rpm cut). You should compile all your notes and transcribe them for a modern addendum to the RCA LS bible ;) - Happy New Year, MJ!

[mikecinanni]

Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo. If you can pickup the DVD "The Maltese Falcon" with the RED package and "Bogart" on the front, look an the back under Special Features, "Technicolor Musical Short "The Gay Parisian". That is a digitally remastered performance featuring "Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo". Astonishing performance. Digital actually came through this time!

[JustFortheRecord]

Does the AP use the BG mastering or is it a new one?

[joseluisherreralepron]

I managed to find an original years ago; it sounds fantastic. The bass drum has great impact, the depth is great and the treble...sparkles. It's a quiet tape, too, although the dynamic range of the music the widest. The Brahms, I find, has some 'hole in the middle' and the odd RCA 'giant piano' sound but I enjoy the performance. Edit: it was recorded in April, 1954.

[recordsam]

Thank you for another great review. In "The Audiophile Record Collector's Handbook" by Phil Rees, Rees notes that James Mitchell gave ithe 1817 a 10++ rating and considered those rated thus among the best of all the RCA LSC records. Curiously, he has no listing for LSC 1831.
Glad you caught the pronunciation of "gay-tay" Parisienne, and I would add that the more academic pronunciation of Hades is "hay-dees" ... Please do keep these reviews coming - they are superb.

[techrider]

Another compelling recording of Gaite Parisienne is the Hollywood Bowl Symphony Orchestra under Felix Slatkin. The original pressing is on Capitol records “Full Dimensional Sound” with the good band on the top of the record cover. I have this and the Living Stereo original in stereo and mono and I can say the Capitol Records recording can give the RCA a run for its money. I don’t think the Capitol is well known.

[petermorris]

I can’t find part 1. Can you post it again? Thank you.

[larryshaver]

who is the turntable behind you made by?

[larryshaver]

compared to multi-track recordings I'm sure the depth would be better with a two track recording

[larryshaver]

It's a shame stereo lp's weren't common until 1958