Early Stereo - Utah Symphony Orchestra Plays Rhapsody in Blue (1958)

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The Utah Symphony Orchestra was only 18 years old when it made this recording. The orchestra was led then by Maurice Abravanel (1903-1993) who held the reins of the orchestra from 1947 until 1979 - a remarkable 32 year tenure. Abravanel was the person responsible for taking an upstart regional orchestra, and advancing it onto the national and international stage.

1958 was the first year for Westminster mixing stereo, so there is some rather extreme sound staging in this LP for the orchestra, whereas the piano remains pretty much dead center as in a mono recording. (Also there is a flaw in the vinyl that is evident from 30 to 45 seconds - but fortunately disappears after that.)

Westminster was one of the many recording companies competing in the classical recording market in the 1950s. Although it never received the reputation of Mercury, Decca or RCA, they produced some excellent recordings. This is the stereo version but they put out a mono version of the same LP too. (If there is interest I can post the mono version for comparison.)

The piece is presented in one track.

Details: Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue/American in Paris
Released by: Westminster Records
Year released: 1958
Pianist: Reid Nibley
Orchestra: Utah Symphony Orchestra
Conductor: Maurice Abravanel
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Love the early stereo recordings speically by Decca, Mercury, Capitol, etc... They blend so well, you can tell they very carefully crafted these recordings

ZeusTheTornado
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Playing this piece this Saturday. 1st trombone. Lots of good parts and solo lines. I’ve never heard this recording before. It’s as good as any, and better than most in terms of style.

LyleFrancisDelp
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That's my grandpa (Martin Zwick) on clarinet!

dylanzwick