Tired of Mega Boxes? - Will the name Szell rekindle your interest?

[r***@gmail.com]

If yes, prepare your budget.
Sony Korea box of 49 CDs to be released 03/05/2013 in Japan, found on Tower Japan today:

http://tower.jp/item/3215846/George-Szell---The-Edition

Contents via Google Translate:

Like 49 | Number of Configurations

Specifications clamshell box (size: 133mm Depth 168mm × 152mm × horizontal vertical)
• Weight: 2kg
(Korean, English notation) booklet
Each disc is housed in a jacket in the paper bag

"George Cell Edition"
[CD1]
Concerto for Orchestra, Sz 116: Bartok
Recording: Severance Hall, Cleveland, January 15 & 16,1965
Janacek: Sinfonietta
Cleveland Orchestra
George cell (conductor)
Recording: Severance Hall, Cleveland, October 15,1965

[CD2]
Symphony No. 1 in C major, Op.21 Beethoven:
Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op.36 Beethoven:
Cleveland Orchestra
George cell (conductor)
Recorded at Severance Hall, Cleveland, Ohio, October 2,1964 (Symphony No.1)
and October 23,1964 (Symphony No.2)

[CD3]
"Heroes" Op.55 Symphony No. 3 in E flat major, Beethoven:
Cleveland Orchestra
George cell (conductor)
Recorded at Severance Hall, Cleveland, Ohio, April 22 & 23,1957

[CD4]
No. 4 in B flat major, Op.60 Beethoven: Symphony
Cleveland Orchestra
George cell (conductor)
Recorded at Severance Hall, Cleveland, Ohio, April 5 & 6,1963

[CD5]
Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op.67 Beethoven:
K.551 "Jupiter" Symphony No. 41 in C major: Mozart
Cleveland Orchestra
George cell (conductor)
Recorded at Severance Hall, Cleveland, Ohio, October 11 & 25,1963

[CD6]
"Pastoral" Op.68 to major Symphony No. 6 Beethoven:
Cleveland Orchestra
George cell (conductor)
Recorded at Severance Hall, Cleveland, Ohio, January 20 & 21,1962

[CD7]
Symphony No. 7 in A major Op.92 Beethoven:
Cleveland Orchestra
George cell (conductor)
Recorded at Severance Hall, Cleveland, Ohio, October 29 & 30,1959

[CD8]
To major Op.93 Symphony No. 8 Beethoven:
Cleveland Orchestra
George cell (conductor)
Recorded at Severance Hall, Cleveland, Ohio, April 15,1961

[CD9]
"Choral" Op.125 Symphony No. 9 in D minor Beethoven:
Adele Addison (soprano)
Jane Hobson (mezzo-soprano)
Richard Lewis (tenor)
Donald Bell (baritone)
Cleveland Orchestra
George cell (conductor)
Recorded at Severance Hall, Cleveland, Ohio, April 21 & 22,1961

[CD10]
Overtures Beethoven:
1 Overture Op.84 "Egmont"
2 Op.62 Overture "Coriolan"
Op.117 Overture to "King Stephen" 3
Op.72b Overture No. 2 4 "Leonore"
Recorded at Severance Hall, Cleveland, Ohio, October 8 & 29,1966
5 No. 1, Op.138 Overture "Leonore"
6 Overture Op.72 "Fidelio"
Cleveland Orchestra
George cell (conductor)
Recorded at Severance Hall, Cleveland, Ohio, August 25,1967

[CD11]
Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Op.68 Brahms:
Cleveland Orchestra
George cell (conductor)
Recorded at Severance Hall, Cleveland, Ohio, October 7,1966 (Symphony No.1),
October 24,1964 (Variations on a Theme by Haydn)

[CD12]
Symphony No. 2 in D major Op.73 Brahms:
Symphony No. 3 in F major Op.90 Brahms:
Cleveland Orchestra
George cell (conductor)
Recorded at Severance Hall, Cleveland, Ohio, January 6,1967 (Symphony No.2),
October 16 & 17,1964 (Symphony No.3)




[CD13]
Symphony No.4 in E minor, Op.98 Brahms:
Cleveland Orchestra
George cell (conductor)
Recorded at Severance Hall, Cleveland, Ohio, April 8 & 9,1966 (Symphony No.4),
October 28,1966 (Tragic Overture & Academic Festival Overture)

[CD14]
Bruckner: Symphony No. 3 in D minor [1889 version Novak]
Bruckner: Symphony No. 8 in C minor [1890 version Novak]
Cleveland Orchestra
George cell (conductor)
Recorded at Severance Hall, Cleveland, Ohio, January 28 & 29,1966 (No.3),
October 3,6,10 & 13,1969 (No.8)

[CD15]
Bruckner: Symphony No. 8 in C minor [1890 version Novak]
Cleveland Orchestra
George cell (conductor)
Recorded at Severance Hall, Cleveland, Ohio, October 3,6,10 & 13,1969

[CD16]
Symphony No. 7 in E major: Bruckner
Vienna Philharmonic
George cell (conductor)
Recorded at Grosses Festspielhaus, Salzberg, Austria, Auguet 21,1968

[CD17]
Slavic Dances Op.46 DVORAK:
Slavic Dances Op.72 DVORAK:
Cleveland Orchestra
George cell (conductor)
Recorded at Severance Hall, Cleveland, Ohio, 1963,1964,1965

[CD18]
Symphony No. 7 in D minor Op.70 DVORAK:
"From My Life" T.116 String Quartet No. 1 in E minor: Smetana
Cleveland Orchestra
George cell (conductor)
Recorded on April 26,1949, in Severance Hall, Cleveland, Ohio; Mono

[CD19]
Symphony No. 8 in G major, Op.88 DVORAK:
Recorded on October 24-25 & 31 and November 1,1958, in Severance Hall, Cleveland, Ohio; Stereo
"From the New World" Op.95 Symphony No. 9 in E minor DVORAK:
Cleveland Orchestra
George cell (conductor)
Recorded on March 20-21,1959, in Severance Hall, Cleveland, Ohio; Stereo

[CD20]
Symphony No. 93 in D major: Haydn
"Surprise" Symphony No. 94 in G major: Haydn
Symphony No. 95 in C minor: Haydn
Cleveland Orchestra
George cell (conductor)
Recorded at Severance Hall, Cleveland, Ohio, USA, April 19,1968 (1-4), May 5,1967 (5-8), January 17/18, 1969 (9-12)

[CD21]
"Miracle" Symphony # 95 in D major: Haydn
Symphony No. 97 in C major: Haydn
Symphony No. 98 in B flat major: Haydn
Cleveland Orchestra
George cell (conductor)
Recorded at Severance Hall, Cleveland, Ohio, USA, October 11,1968 (1-4), October 3,6 & 10,1969 (5-8), October 10,1969 (9-12)

[CD22]
In G major "Oxford" Symphony No. 92: Haydn
Symphony No. 99 in E flat major: Haydn
Cleveland Orchestra
George cell (conductor)
Recorded at Severance Hall, Cleveland, Ohio, USA, October 20,1961 (1-4), October 25/26, 1957 (5-8)

[CD23]
Symphony No. 88 in G major: Haydn
"London" Symphony No. 104 in D major: Haydn
Symphony No. 97 in C major: Haydn
Cleveland Orchestra
George cell (conductor)
Recorded at Severance Hall, Cleveland, Ohio, USA, April 9,1954 (1-8) October 25 & 26,1957 (9-12)

[CD24]
Symphonic Metamorphoses on Themes of Weber: Hindemith
Recording: Severance Hall, Cleveland, October 10,1964
Variations on a Theme by Hindemith: Walton
Recording: Severance Hall, Cleveland, October 9,1964
Symphony No. 2: Walton
Recording: Severance Hall, Cleveland, February 24 & March 3,1961
Cleveland Orchestra
(Conductor) George cells [CD25]
"Hary Janos Suite": Kodaly
Recording: Severance Hall, Cleveland, January 10,1969
60 piece "Lieutenant Kije Suite": Prokofiev
Recording: Severance Hall, Cleveland, January 17,1969
Dattan people dance from "Prince Igor" opera: Borodin
Recording: Masonic Temple, Cleveland, February 28,1958
Movies 34 songs Capriccio Espagnol: Rimsky-Korsakov
Recording: Masonic Temple, Cleveland, February 28,1958
Ri~adofu: I work 62 Enchanted Lake (Legend for Orchestra)
Recording: Severance Hall, Cleveland, October 30,1963
Cleveland Orchestra
George cell (conductor)

[CD26]
Symphony No. 10 Mahler:
Recording: Severance Hall, Cleveland, November 1,1958
Partita for Orchestra: Walton
Recording: Severance Hall, Cleveland, January 21,1959
Stravinsky: "The Firebird Suite" (1919 version)
Recording: Severance Hall, Cleveland, February 24 & March 3,1961
Cleveland Orchestra
George cell (conductor)

[CD27]
Mahler: "Tragic" Symphony No. 6 in A minor (Revised, Critical Edition)
Cleveland Orchestra
George cell (conductor)
Recorded at Severance Hall, Cleveland, October, 1967

[CD28]
A major Op.90 "Italian" Symphony No. 4: Mendelssohn
Recording: Severance Hall, Cleveland, October 26,1962
Op.61 "A Midsummer Night's Dream" music drama palsy: Mendelssohn
Recording: Severance Hall, Cleveland, January 13,1967
Hebrides Op.26 MENDELSSOHN:
Recording: Severance Hall, Cleveland, October 25,1957
Cleveland Orchestra
George cell (conductor)

[CD29]
Mozart: K.200 Symphony No. 28 in C major (189k)
Symphony No. 33 in B flat major, K.319: Mozart
Cleveland Orchestra
George cell (conductor)
(Track 1-4) Recorded at Severance Hall, Cleveland, Ohio, October 1 & 2,1965
(Track 5) Recorded at Severance Hall, Cleveland, Ohio, October 25,1958
(Track 6-9) Recorded at Severance Hall, Cleveland, Ohio, October 26,1962

[CD30]
K.385 "Haffner" Symphony No. 35 in D Major: Mozart
Symphony No. 39 in E flat major, K.543: Mozart
Bonus Mono Version
Mozart: Symphony No. 40 in G minor, K.550 (1955 Mono Recording)
Cleveland Orchestra
George cell (conductor)

[CD31]
Symphony No. 40 in G minor, K.550: Mozart
K.551 "Jupiter" Symphony No. 41 in C major: Mozart
Overture K.486 "house manager" Opera: Mozart
Cleveland Orchestra
George cell (conductor)
(Track 1-4) Recorded at Severance Hall, Cleveland, August 25,1967
(Track 5-8) Recorded at Severance Hall, Cleveland, Ohio, October 11 & 25,1963
(Track 9) Recorded at Severance Hall, Cleveland, Ohio, January 28 & 29,1966

[CD32]
Divertimento in D Major, K.131: Mozart
Maurice Sharp (flute) / Mark Rifushei (oboe) / George Gosuri (bassoon) / Myron Bloom, Roy Worth, Martin Morris, Erunani-Anzerutchi (Horn)
Members of the Cleveland Orchestra
George cell (conductor)
Bonus Mono Version
Mozart: K.551 "Jupiter" Symphony No. 41 in C major (1955 Mono Recording)

Cleveland Orchestra
George cell (conductor)
(Track 1-6) Recorded at Severance Hall, Cleveland, Ohio, April 20,1963
(Track 7-10) Recorded at Severance Hall, Cleveland, Ohio, November 18,1955

[CD33]
Mozart: K.364 Sinfonia Concertante in E flat major for violin and viola (320d)
Rafael Druian (violin) / Abraham Sukanikku (viola)
Members of the Cleveland Orchestra
George cell (conductor)

Mozart: Ekusurutate-Yubirate K.165 (158a)
Judith Raskin (soprano)

Bonus Mono Version
Mozart: K.543 Symphony No. 39 in E flat major (1947 Mono Recording)

Cleveland Orchestra
George cell (conductor)

(Track 1-3) Recorded at Severance Hall, Cleveland, Ohio, December 28,1963
(Track 4-6) Recorded at Severance Hall, Cleveland, May 11,1954
(Track 7-10) Recorded at Severance Hall, Cleveland, Ohio, April 22,1947

[CD34]
Major K.525 Eine kleine Nachtmusik port: Mozart
K.320 "Post Horn" Serenade No. 9: Mozart
Cleveland Orchestra
George cell (conductor)
(Track 1-4) Recorded at Severance Hall, Cleveland, Ohio, October 7,1968
(Track 5-11) Recorded at Severance Hall, Cleveland, January 10,18 & 24,1969

[CD35]
A major Clarinet Concerto K.622: Mozart
Robert Marucherusu (clarinet)
Piano Concerto No. 25 in C major, K.503: Mozart
Leon Fleisher (piano)
Cleveland Orchestra
George cell (conductor)
(Track 1-3) Recorded at Severance Hall, Cleveland, Ohio, October 21,1961
(Track 4-6) Recorded at Severance Hall, Cleveland, Ohio, January 9 & 10,1959

[CD36]
Mozart: Violin Sonata No. 32 to major K.376 (374d)
Mozart: Violin Sonata No. 25 in G major, K.301 (293a)
Mozart: K.304 Violin Sonata No. 28 in E minor (300c)
No. 24 in C major, K.296 Sonata for Violin and Piano: Mozart
Rafael Druian (violin)
George cell (piano)
Recorded at Columbia 30th Street Studio, New York City, August 1-3,1967

[CD37]
Mozart: Piano Quartet No. 1 in G minor, K.478 (1946 Mono Recording)
Mozart: K.493 in E flat major Piano Quartet No. 2 (1946 Mono Recording)
George cell (piano)
Members of the Budapest String Quartet
Joseph Roisman (violin) / Boris Kruyt viola / Mischa Schneider (cello)
Recorded at Liederkranz Hall, New York City, August 19 & 20,1946

[CD38]
Peer Gynt Suite Op.46 1: Grieg
Recording: Severance Hall, Cleveland, January 21,1966
Suite first woman of Arles: Bizet
Recording: Severance Hall, Cleveland, March 25 & 26,1966
"Pictures at an Exhibition" Suite: Mussorgsky (arr. Ravel)
Recording: Severance Hall, Cleveland, October 30,1963
Mussorgsky: from "Hovu~anshichina Opera" "Dawn of the Moscow River"
Recording: Severance Hall, Cleveland, February 28-March 1,1958

Cleveland Orchestra
George cell (conductor)

[CD39]
Symphony Op.53 home: Richard Strauss
Recording: Severance Hall, Cleveland, January 10,1964
Op.11 Horn Concerto No. 1 in E flat major: Richard Strauss
Recording: Severance Hall, Cleveland, October 27,1961
"Don Juan" Op.20 Symphonic Poem: Richard Strauss
Tondichtung nach Nikolaus Lenau
Recording: Severance Hall, Cleveland, March 29 & 30,1957
Myron Bloom (Horn)
Cleveland Orchestra
George cell (conductor)

[CD40]
Death and Transfiguration Op.24: Richard Strauss
Tondichtung
Recording: Severance Hall, Cleveland, March 29 & 30,1957
Op.28 amusing prank Till Eulenspiegel: Richard Strauss
Tondichtung nach alter Schelmenweise-in Rondeauform
Recording: Severance Hall, Cleveland, March 29,1957
"Don Quixote" Op.35 Symphonic Poem: Richard Strauss
Fantastische Variationen uber ein Thema ritterlichen Characters
Recording: Severance Hall, Cleveland, October 28 & 29,1960)
Pierre Fournier (cello)
Cleveland Orchestra
George cell (conductor)

[CD41]
Op.314 "The Blue Danube" waltz: Johann Strauss 2
Polka pizzicato: Johann Strauss 2
Op.212 8:52 "delirium" Waltz: Josef Strauss
Op.410 5:51 "Voices of Spring" Waltz: Johann Strauss 2
Op.164 "swallow village in Austria" Waltz: Josef Strauss
Perpetuum mobile Op.257: Johann Strauss 2
Recording: Severance Hall, Cleveland, January 5,1962.1-6
Op.362 8:02 Overture "Die Fledermaus" opera buffa: Johann Strauss 2
Recording: Severance Hall, Cleveland, March 1,1958
Cleveland Orchestra
George cell (conductor)

[CD42]
Overtures: Rossini
Cleveland Orchestra
George cell (conductor)

[CD43]
"Unfinished" D 759 Symphony No. 8 in B minor Schubert:
Recording: Severance Hall, Cleveland, March 12 & 19,1960
D 944 "Great" C major Symphony No. 9: Schubert
Recording: Severance Hall, Cleveland, November 1,1957
Cleveland Orchestra
George cell (conductor)

[CD44]
"Spring" Op.38 Symphony No. 1 in B flat major: Schumann
Recording: Severance Hall, Cleveland, October 24 & 25,1958
Symphony No. 2 in C major Op.61: Schumann
Recording: Severance Hall, Cleveland, October 24,1960
Cleveland Orchestra
George cell (conductor)

[CD45]
Op.97 "line" Symphony No. 3 in E flat major: Schumann
Recording: Severance Hall, Cleveland, October 21,1958)
Symphony No. 4 in D major, Op.120: Schumann
Recording: Severance Hall, Cleveland, March 12,1960
Op.115 Overture to "Manfred": Schumann
Recording: Severance Hall, Cleveland, January 21,1959
Cleveland Orchestra
George cell (conductor)

[CD46]
Symphony No. 5 in E minor Op.64 Tchaikovsky:
Recording: Severance Hall, Cleveland, October 23,1959
Capriccio Italian Op.45 Tchaikovsky:
Recording: Severance Hall, Cleveland, February 28, & March 1,1958
Cleveland Orchestra
George cell (conductor)



[CD47]
Orchestral Collection: Wagner
(Track 1-6) Recording: Severance Hall, Cleveland, October 11,1968
(Track 7-8) Recording: Severance Hall, Cleveland, January 26,1962
Cleveland Orchestra
George cell (conductor)

[CD48]
Live in Tokyo 1970
Applause
Overture to "Oberon" Opera: Weber
Symphony No. 40 in G minor, K.550: Mozart
Recording: Tokyo Bunka Kaikan (Live), May 22,1970
Cleveland Orchestra
George cell (conductor)

[CD49]
Live in Tokyo 1970
Symphony No. 2 in D major Op.43 Sibelius:
Op.24 "La Damnation de Faust" opera-march Rakottsu~i: Berlioz
Recording: Tokyo Bunka Kaikan (Live), Japan, May 22,1970
Cleveland Orchestra
George cell (conductor)

※ has been recorded in the CD31 and CD5 "Mozart: Symphony No. 41" will be the same sound source.

※ For stereo and monaural recording the following songs have been recorded.

Symphony No. 39: 1) Mozart
Stereo recording - CD30 (March 11 & 12,1960)
Monaural recording - CD33 (April 22,1947)

Symphony No. 40: 2) Mozart
Stereo recording - CD31 (August 25,1967)
Monaural recording - CD30 (November 18,1955)

Symphony No. 41: 3) Mozart
Stereo recording - CD31 (October 11 & 25,1963)
Monaural recording - CD32 (November 18,1955)

[Thornhill]

Post by r***@gmail.com
If yes, prepare your budget.
http://tower.jp/item/3215846/George-Szell---The-Edition

A few thoughts:

1. I have zero expectations that any new remastering has been done. So
all the stuff that was only released on Essential Classics will
continue to sound like crap. That being said, it looks to omit
recordings that never received a release beyond Essential Classis.

2. It looks to be missing almost all of the concerto recordings, such
as with Fleisher (except the Mozart), Serkin, Browning, Casadesus
among others.

3. Missing about a discs worth of Wagner recordings from sessions in
1962 and 1965.

4. Other stuff I'm not seeing at a quick glance: Mahler 4, Daphnis
Suite, La Mer.

I could deal with some crappy sound if it managed to have everything,
especially recordings that have no been released outside of Japan like
William Schumann's "Song of Orpheus"

[r***@gmail.com]

Post by Thornhill

Post by r***@gmail.com
If yes, prepare your budget.
http://tower.jp/item/3215846/George-Szell---The-Edition

1. I have zero expectations that any new remastering has been done. So
all the stuff that was only released on Essential Classics will
continue to sound like crap. That being said, it looks to omit
recordings that never received a release beyond Essential Classis.
2. It looks to be missing almost all of the concerto recordings, such
as with Fleisher (except the Mozart), Serkin, Browning, Casadesus
among others.
3. Missing about a discs worth of Wagner recordings from sessions in
1962 and 1965.
4. Other stuff I'm not seeing at a quick glance: Mahler 4, Daphnis
Suite, La Mer.
I could deal with some crappy sound if it managed to have everything,
especially recordings that have no been released outside of Japan like
William Schumann's "Song of Orpheus"

I also noticed that most, possibly all, of the material form the United Archives Szell series are not included.

Perhaps media producers like Sony and Universal believe this their contribution to saving the environment, recycling much of their trash.

I will most certainly pass on this one.

How long before the Korean give us the Bernstein Royal Edition in a box like this?

[Mark S]

Post by Thornhill
1. I have zero expectations that any new remastering has been done. So
all the stuff that was only released on Essential Classics will
continue to sound like crap. That being said, it looks to omit
recordings that never received a release beyond Essential Classis.

Looking at the way the Beethoven Symphonies are laid out, it appears
that they're using the Original Jackets masterings, which were quite
an improvement over the EC edition. Considering that the OJ set goes
for $300 these days, this 49-CD set could be a cheaper way to acquire
that cycle in a good mastering.

[Ray Hall]

Post by Mark S

Post by Thornhill
1. I have zero expectations that any new remastering has been done. So
all the stuff that was only released on Essential Classics will
continue to sound like crap. That being said, it looks to omit
recordings that never received a release beyond Essential Classis.

Looking at the way the Beethoven Symphonies are laid out, it appears
that they're using the Original Jackets masterings, which were quite
an improvement over the EC edition. Considering that the OJ set goes
for $300 these days, this 49-CD set could be a cheaper way to acquire
that cycle in a good mastering.

If the mastering is an improvement, then I think the Beethoven will be
sought after. I notice also that the Bruckner #8 is with #3 on disc 15,
and then appears on disc 16 all by itself.

Much of the set I have on Maestros etc.

Ray Hall, Taree

[Gerard]

Post by Ray Hall
If the mastering is an improvement, then I think the Beethoven will be
sought after. I notice also that the Bruckner #8 is with #3 on disc
15, and then appears on disc 16 all by itself.

I suppose that disc 16 is the "continuation" of disc 15.

Post by Ray Hall
Much of the set I have on Maestros etc.

Same here. Probably the same for all Szell fans.

[Thornhill]

Post by Gerard

Post by Ray Hall
Much of the set I have on Maestros etc.

Same here. Probably the same for all Szell fans.

It looks like I have everyone on of those recordings.

[jrsnfld]

Post by Thornhill

Post by Gerard

Post by Ray Hall
Much of the set I have on Maestros etc.

Same here. Probably the same for all Szell fans.

It looks like I have everyone on of those recordings.

The other day I was plowing through YouTube listening to some great
recordings of Weber's Oberon overture and came across one from Szell
with the Berlin Symphony from 1927. It's a fine performance and makes
me wonder if it's been on CD (EMI's Legendary Conductors series,
perhaps?). In any case, it would be nice to have a set of early Szell
recordings like this. It also would be great to have a comprehensive
set of live Szell/Cleveland performances that reissues, and goes
beyond what the orchestra itself has already released. But that will
probably never happen.

--Jeff

[wade]

Post by jrsnfld

Post by Thornhill

Post by Gerard

Post by Ray Hall
Much of the set I have on Maestros etc.

Same here. Probably the same for all Szell fans.

It looks like I have everyone on of those recordings.

The other day I was plowing through YouTube listening to some great
recordings of Weber's Oberon overture and came across one from Szell
with the Berlin Symphony from 1927. It's a fine performance and makes
me wonder if it's been on CD (EMI's Legendary Conductors series,
perhaps?). In any case, it would be nice to have a set of early Szell
recordings like this. It also would be great to have a comprehensive
set of live Szell/Cleveland performances that reissues, and goes
beyond what the orchestra itself has already released. But that will
probably never happen.
--Jeff

any legitimate release would have a nightmare of estate royalty payments to contend with.

[Thornhill]

Post by wade

Post by jrsnfld

Post by Thornhill

Post by Gerard

Post by Ray Hall
Much of the set I have on Maestros etc.

Same here. Probably the same for all Szell fans.

It looks like I have everyone on of those recordings.

The other day I was plowing through YouTube listening to some great
recordings of Weber's Oberon overture and came across one from Szell
with the Berlin Symphony from 1927. It's a fine performance and makes
me wonder if it's been on CD (EMI's Legendary Conductors series,
perhaps?). In any case, it would be nice to have a set of early Szell
recordings like this. It also would be great to have a comprehensive
set of live Szell/Cleveland performances that reissues, and goes
beyond what the orchestra itself has already released. But that will
probably never happen.
--Jeff

any legitimate release would have a nightmare of estate royalty payments to contend with.

It's not like this doesn't happen all of the time in all media
industries (and anything involving copyrighted material) -- film, TV,
publishing, music, etc. I'm sure the Sony Corporation has a lot of
experience in how to do this.

[jrsnfld]

Post by Thornhill

Post by wade

Post by jrsnfld

Post by Thornhill

Post by Gerard

Post by Ray Hall
Much of the set I have on Maestros etc.

Same here. Probably the same for all Szell fans.

It looks like I have everyone on of those recordings.

The other day I was plowing through YouTube listening to some great
recordings of Weber's Oberon overture and came across one from Szell
with the Berlin Symphony from 1927. It's a fine performance and makes
me wonder if it's been on CD (EMI's Legendary Conductors series,
perhaps?). In any case, it would be nice to have a set of early Szell
recordings like this. It also would be great to have a comprehensive
set of live Szell/Cleveland performances that reissues, and goes
beyond what the orchestra itself has already released. But that will
probably never happen.
--Jeff

any legitimate release would have a nightmare of estate royalty payments to contend with.

It's not like this doesn't happen all of the time in all media
industries (and anything involving copyrighted material) -- film, TV,
publishing, music, etc. I'm sure the Sony Corporation has a lot of
experience in how to do this.

The "how-to" is there, but the "will-do" is not--not without bigger
profit margins.

--Jeff

[Thornhill]

Post by jrsnfld

Post by Thornhill

Post by wade

Post by jrsnfld

Post by Thornhill

Post by Gerard

Post by Ray Hall
Much of the set I have on Maestros etc.

Same here. Probably the same for all Szell fans.

It looks like I have everyone on of those recordings.

The other day I was plowing through YouTube listening to some great
recordings of Weber's Oberon overture and came across one from Szell
with the Berlin Symphony from 1927. It's a fine performance and makes
me wonder if it's been on CD (EMI's Legendary Conductors series,
perhaps?). In any case, it would be nice to have a set of early Szell
recordings like this. It also would be great to have a comprehensive
set of live Szell/Cleveland performances that reissues, and goes
beyond what the orchestra itself has already released. But that will
probably never happen.
--Jeff

any legitimate release would have a nightmare of estate royalty payments to contend with.

It's not like this doesn't happen all of the time in all media
industries (and anything involving copyrighted material) -- film, TV,
publishing, music, etc. I'm sure the Sony Corporation has a lot of
experience in how to do this.

The "how-to" is there, but the "will-do" is not--not without bigger
profit margins.
--Jeff

Given the never ending stream of recordings originally made for radio
that come out from various labels, I doubt it's that much.

[Norman Schwartz]

Post by Thornhill

Post by Gerard

Post by Ray Hall
Much of the set I have on Maestros etc.

Same here. Probably the same for all Szell fans.

It looks like I have everyone on of those recordings.

They must all be released as 'SHM-CD's! Then, and only then, everyone will
buy them. :-)

[Josquin]

Post by Thornhill

Post by Gerard

Post by Ray Hall
Much of the set I have on Maestros etc.

Same here. Probably the same for all Szell fans.

It looks like I have everyone on of those recordings.

As a Szellot from way back, just like to mention that this set has
stuff that as-far-as-I-know was never issued on conventional CDs - the
Grieg and Bizet Suites, Strauss Waltzes, and Rossini overtures were
only previously available on SA-CD.

Another odd thing here is that the Beethoven symphonies No. 4 and No.
8 seem to have a disk to themselves? Maybe there is something else
there?

And it looks like the 1970 Szell last concert in Tokyo is included -
was that ever issued previously by Sony?

[jrsnfld]

Post by Josquin

Post by Thornhill

Post by Gerard

Post by Ray Hall
Much of the set I have on Maestros etc.

Same here. Probably the same for all Szell fans.

It looks like I have everyone on of those recordings.

As a Szellot from way back, just like to mention that this set has
stuff that as-far-as-I-know was never issued on conventional CDs - the
Grieg and Bizet Suites, Strauss Waltzes, and Rossini overtures were
only previously available on SA-CD.

La gazza ladra, L'Italiana in Algieri, and Il Viaggio a Reims were
issued on conventional Sony/Columbia CDs--budget issues as part of
multi-conductor/orchestra compilations of Rossini overtures.

Post by Josquin
Another odd thing here is that the Beethoven symphonies No. 4 and No.
8 seem to have a disk to themselves?  Maybe there is something else
there?
And it looks like the 1970 Szell last concert in Tokyo is included -
was that ever issued previously by Sony?

Yes, but Sony France, not in the US, I think.

--Jeff

[Gerard]

Post by Josquin

Post by Thornhill

Post by Gerard

Post by Ray Hall
Much of the set I have on Maestros etc.

Same here. Probably the same for all Szell fans.

It looks like I have everyone on of those recordings.

As a Szellot from way back, just like to mention that this set has
stuff that as-far-as-I-know was never issued on conventional CDs - the
Grieg and Bizet Suites, Strauss Waltzes, and Rossini overtures were
only previously available on SA-CD.

I have the Strauss items on a conventional CD.

[r***@gmail.com]

The Tokyo recordings have been issued by Sony Japan several times, including I recall either SACD or BlueSpec, but never internationally. The Sibelius 2 is a to-die-for rendition.

[Thornhill]

Post by Josquin

Post by Thornhill

Post by Gerard

Post by Ray Hall
Much of the set I have on Maestros etc.

Same here. Probably the same for all Szell fans.

It looks like I have everyone on of those recordings.

As a Szellot from way back, just like to mention that this set has
stuff that as-far-as-I-know was never issued on conventional CDs - the
Grieg and Bizet Suites, Strauss Waltzes, and Rossini overtures were
only previously available on SA-CD.

The Strauss and Rossini overtures were released in Europe. They're
actually still available there as downloads.

I think the Bizet and Grieg suites were only released in Japan.

[Josquin]

Post by Thornhill

Post by Josquin
As a Szellot from way back, just like to mention that this set has
stuff that as-far-as-I-know was never issued on conventional CDs - the
Grieg and Bizet Suites, Strauss Waltzes, and Rossini overtures were
only previously available on SA-CD.

The Strauss and Rossini overtures were released in Europe. They're
actually still available there as downloads.
I think the Bizet and Grieg suites were only released in Japan.

Yes, I somehow managed to buy downloads of the Rossini from qobuz.com.
And, for completeness, since this is such a tough crowd, I realize
that some of the Strauss was on "Johann Strauss Greatest Hits" and the
Great Conductors set.

And, while we are at it, where is the other good stuff? The
Rachmaninoff Rhapsody, the Dvorak Piano Concerto with Firkusny, etc...

[Thornhill]

Post by Josquin
And it looks like the 1970 Szell last concert in Tokyo is included -
was that ever issued previously by Sony?

In Japan and France.

The Cleveland Orchestra has also released its own 2-disc set of the
concert that it sold through its website for a while.

[Mark S]

Post by Ray Hall
I notice also that the Bruckner #8 is with #3 on disc 15,
and then appears on disc 16 all by itself.
Ray Hall, Taree

The layout of those 2CDs:

CD1: Sym 3 complete; Sym 8, 1st movement
CD2: Sym 8, move 2-4

[r***@gmail.com]

Wasn't there a botch job one by Sony on that Bruckner Essential Classics set, like an edit/cut? I seem to recall Tepper being highly inflamed about it.

[Bob Harper]

Post by r***@gmail.com
Wasn't there a botch job one by Sony on that Bruckner Essential
Classics set, like an edit/cut? I seem to recall Tepper being highly
inflamed about it.

Yes, the Scherzo of the Third had a repeat missing in the first issue.
It was later corrected.

Bob Harper

[wade]

Post by Bob Harper

Post by r***@gmail.com
Wasn't there a botch job one by Sony on that Bruckner Essential
Classics set, like an edit/cut? I seem to recall Tepper being highly
inflamed about it.

Yes, the Scherzo of the Third had a repeat missing in the first issue.
It was later corrected.
Bob Harper

so then the question will be whether they had the smarts enough to use the second version or picked up a copy of the first one to copy from

[jserraglio]

Have the two holiday pieces (Deck the Halls & Patapan) Szell recorded
in 1967 for CSP (Great Songs of Christmas, vol 7) ever made it to CD?
If not they can be heard here in decent sound (160k)

http://crstager.com/historical.htm

Deck the Halls is also on YouTube ripped from another Xmas compilation

[Thornhill]

Post by jserraglio
Have the two holiday pieces (Deck the Halls & Patapan) Szell recorded
in 1967 for CSP (Great Songs of Christmas, vol 7) ever made it to CD?
If not they can be heard here in decent sound (160k)
http://crstager.com/historical.htm
Deck the Halls is also on YouTube ripped from another Xmas compilation
http://youtu.be/Ua2H87Q44TI

Yes. They've appeared in a few Christmas music compilations as well as
the Masterworks Herritage release:

http://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Album-Holiday-Melodies-Around/dp/B0000029ZB/ref=sr_1_4?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1360423324&sr=1-4&keywords=szell+christmas

[j***@gmail.com]

Thanks, just ordered it.

[wade]

Post by Mark S

Post by Ray Hall
I notice also that the Bruckner #8 is with #3 on disc 15,
and then appears on disc 16 all by itself.
Ray Hall, Taree

CD1: Sym 3 complete; Sym 8, 1st movement
CD2: Sym 8, move 2-4

that was the layout of the Essential Classics issue of those recordings

[Ray Hall]

Post by wade

Post by Mark S

Post by Ray Hall
I notice also that the Bruckner #8 is with #3 on disc 15,
and then appears on disc 16 all by itself.
Ray Hall, Taree

CD1: Sym 3 complete; Sym 8, 1st movement
CD2: Sym 8, move 2-4

that was the layout of the Essential Classics issue of those recordings

Thx. I should have known as I have the Essential Classics twofer. One of
the thick 2fer boxes.

Ray Hall, Taree

[Steve de Mena]

Post by Ray Hall
If the mastering is an improvement, then I think the Beethoven will be
sought after. I notice also that the Bruckner #8 is with #3 on disc
15, and then appears on disc 16 all by itself.
Much of the set I have on Maestros etc.
Ray Hall, Taree

A few months ago the Szell Bruckner 3 and 8 came out on a 2CD Sony
Japan set, and the first movement of the Symphony No.8 was track 5 on
the Symphony No.3 (1st) CD, with the 2nd CD consisting of movements
2-3-4 of the 8th. Maybe these same discs were used for discs 15 and 16
of this new set. (Sony Japan 2CDs SICC-1603~4)

Steve

[wade]

Post by Steve de Mena

Post by Ray Hall
If the mastering is an improvement, then I think the Beethoven will be
sought after. I notice also that the Bruckner #8 is with #3 on disc
15, and then appears on disc 16 all by itself.
Much of the set I have on Maestros etc.
Ray Hall, Taree

A few months ago the Szell Bruckner 3 and 8 came out on a 2CD Sony
Japan set, and the first movement of the Symphony No.8 was track 5 on
the Symphony No.3 (1st) CD, with the 2nd CD consisting of movements
2-3-4 of the 8th. Maybe these same discs were used for discs 15 and 16
of this new set. (Sony Japan 2CDs SICC-1603~4)
Steve

somebody is just going to have to spring the cash and issue a report. Unless it is done by committee!

[wkasimer]

Post by Mark S
Looking at the way the Beethoven Symphonies are laid out, it appears
that they're using the Original Jackets masterings, which were quite
an improvement over the EC edition. Considering that the OJ set goes
for $300 these days, this 49-CD set could be a cheaper way to acquire
that cycle in a good mastering.

Well, people are asking $300 for the Original Jackets set, but that
doesn't mean that people are paying that much. I sold mine (which was
pretty much like new) a couple of years ago on Amazon for considerably
less than that, and a copy with a somewhat damaged outer box sold on
eBay earlier this week for $40.

Bill

[Oscar]

Post by Mark S
Looking at the way the Beethoven Symphonies are laid out, it appears
that they're using the Original Jackets masterings, which were quite
an improvement over the EC edition. Considering that the OJ set goes
for $300 these days, this 49-CD set could be a cheaper way to acquire
that cycle in a good mastering.

There's a copy of that OJC Szell Beethoven that's been sitting at
Amoeba Music Hollywood for a few months now for $59.99. Bought it,
ripped it, scanned it, and returned it. Cost me $15 using Amoeba's
'insurance'-lending-buy-back policy.

[Steve de Mena]

Post by Oscar

Post by Mark S
Looking at the way the Beethoven Symphonies are laid out, it appears
that they're using the Original Jackets masterings, which were quite
an improvement over the EC edition. Considering that the OJ set goes
for $300 these days, this 49-CD set could be a cheaper way to acquire
that cycle in a good mastering.

There's a copy of that OJC Szell Beethoven that's been sitting at
Amoeba Music Hollywood for a few months now for $59.99. Bought it,
ripped it, scanned it, and returned it. Cost me $15 using Amoeba's
'insurance'-lending-buy-back policy.

I've never brought CDs in for trade at Amoeba. Would you know how it
works there? Do they look them over while you wait or do you get a
ticket or something and come back later on to see what they'll give
you for them in trade?

Steve

[Paul Goldstein]

In article <***@giganews.com>, Steve de Mena
says...

Post by Steve de Mena

Post by Oscar

Post by Mark S
Looking at the way the Beethoven Symphonies are laid out, it appears
that they're using the Original Jackets masterings, which were quite
an improvement over the EC edition. Considering that the OJ set goes
for $300 these days, this 49-CD set could be a cheaper way to acquire
that cycle in a good mastering.

There's a copy of that OJC Szell Beethoven that's been sitting at
Amoeba Music Hollywood for a few months now for $59.99. Bought it,
ripped it, scanned it, and returned it. Cost me $15 using Amoeba's
'insurance'-lending-buy-back policy.

I've never brought CDs in for trade at Amoeba. Would you know how it
works there? Do they look them over while you wait or do you get a
ticket or something and come back later on to see what they'll give
you for them in trade?

It depends on how many CDs you are offering them and how big their backlog is,
but
usually you can browse for a while and then go back and they're ready with their
offer.

[J.Martin]

Post by Steve de Mena

Post by Oscar

Post by Mark S
Looking at the way the Beethoven Symphonies are laid out, it appears
that they're using the Original Jackets masterings, which were quite
an improvement over the EC edition. Considering that the OJ set goes
for $300 these days, this 49-CD set could be a cheaper way to acquire
that cycle in a good mastering.

There's a copy of that OJC Szell Beethoven that's been sitting at
Amoeba Music Hollywood for a few months now for $59.99. Bought it,
ripped it, scanned it, and returned it. Cost me $15 using Amoeba's
'insurance'-lending-buy-back policy.

I've never brought CDs in for trade at Amoeba. Would you know how it
works there? Do they look them over while you wait or do you get a
ticket or something and come back later on to see what they'll give
you for them in trade?
Steve

If you've got a large pile of them, they'll tell you you can go shop
while they're looking them over, and they call your name out over the
PA. If you take good care of your CDs (ie no scratches) it goes very
quickly. Trouble is, they don't give you much for them anymore. It's
sort of frustrating to be given $1 in trade for a CD and then to find
the same CD on sale used $9.99. If this is a concern, you might want
to sell elsewhere.

[Al Eisner]

Post by Mark S

Post by Thornhill
1. I have zero expectations that any new remastering has been done. So
all the stuff that was only released on Essential Classics will
continue to sound like crap. That being said, it looks to omit
recordings that never received a release beyond Essential Classis.

Looking at the way the Beethoven Symphonies are laid out, it appears
that they're using the Original Jackets masterings, which were quite
an improvement over the EC edition. Considering that the OJ set goes
for $300 these days, this 49-CD set could be a cheaper way to acquire
that cycle in a good mastering.

The Original Jackets Mozart set is also mapped exactly into this set,
only omitting the one CD in the former not conducted by Mr. cell.
(I like that Google-translate touch of the lower-case "c".)

[Herman]

Post by Thornhill
I could deal with some crappy sound if it managed to have everything,
especially recordings that have no been released outside of Japan like
William Schumann's "Song of Orpheus"

yeah but how about

"Mozart: Ekusurutate-Yubirate K.165"?

[Greg]

Post by Thornhill

Post by r***@gmail.com
If yes, prepare your budget.
http://tower.jp/item/3215846/George-Szell---The-Edition

1. I have zero expectations that any new remastering has been done. So
all the stuff that was only released on Essential Classics will
continue to sound like crap. That being said, it looks to omit
recordings that never received a release beyond Essential Classis.

Most (if not all) of the recordings here have received DSD
remasterings in the last 10-15 yrs which are superior to the Sony EC
releases. Many of them were only released in Japan, so most Americans/
Europeans may not have them, in which case this could be worth buying
for some people.

Subject to my faulty memory, I am pretty sure everything here has been
remastered since Sony EC, with the following possible exceptions:
-Brahms symphonies 2,3,4: There is a recent Japanese release of the
Brahms set which I have not heard. Brahms 1 was remastered and
released in America ~6-7 yrs ago in the "Great Performances" series.
I don't know if the others have received the DSD treatment in the
Japanese release, but I'm guessing they have. If so, I want to hear
them, especially 3.

-Haydn symphonies: Most of these were re-released a few years ago in
the U.S., but it is not clear to me that they were remastered. I've
never heard a Japanese release of these. The earlier 97, along with
98/99, did get a remastered reissue in the U.S. 10+ yrs ago in
whichever series had the cardboard sleeves.

-Bruckner 3/8: I can't recall if this was part of the Japanese DSD
Szell reissues 10+ yrs ago. If so, I don't have it.
-Bruckner 7 w/VPO: Don't know if the Japanese version is different
than the U.S. version.
-J. Strauss: Was there a Japanese DSD disc? Can't recall.

Other than that, I think everything in this set had an "Original
Jacket" (Beethoven, Mozart), "Classical Masterworks", or "Great
Performances" re-issue in the U.S., and/or were released at some point
as DSD remasterings in Japan.

Greg

[wade]

Post by Greg

Post by Thornhill

Post by r***@gmail.com
If yes, prepare your budget.
http://tower.jp/item/3215846/George-Szell---The-Edition

1. I have zero expectations that any new remastering has been done. So
all the stuff that was only released on Essential Classics will
continue to sound like crap. That being said, it looks to omit
recordings that never received a release beyond Essential Classis.

Most (if not all) of the recordings here have received DSD
remasterings in the last 10-15 yrs which are superior to the Sony EC
releases. Many of them were only released in Japan, so most Americans/
Europeans may not have them, in which case this could be worth buying
for some people.
Subject to my faulty memory, I am pretty sure everything here has been
-Brahms symphonies 2,3,4: There is a recent Japanese release of the
Brahms set which I have not heard. Brahms 1 was remastered and
released in America ~6-7 yrs ago in the "Great Performances" series.
I don't know if the others have received the DSD treatment in the
Japanese release, but I'm guessing they have. If so, I want to hear
them, especially 3.
-Haydn symphonies: Most of these were re-released a few years ago in
the U.S., but it is not clear to me that they were remastered. I've
never heard a Japanese release of these. The earlier 97, along with
98/99, did get a remastered reissue in the U.S. 10+ yrs ago in
whichever series had the cardboard sleeves.
-Bruckner 3/8: I can't recall if this was part of the Japanese DSD
Szell reissues 10+ yrs ago. If so, I don't have it.
-Bruckner 7 w/VPO: Don't know if the Japanese version is different
than the U.S. version.
-J. Strauss: Was there a Japanese DSD disc? Can't recall.
Other than that, I think everything in this set had an "Original
Jacket" (Beethoven, Mozart), "Classical Masterworks", or "Great
Performances" re-issue in the U.S., and/or were released at some point
as DSD remasterings in Japan.
Greg

The Debussy/Ravel disc should have been included as minimally there was a Japanese SONY issue of it, then there are the other opera overtures (mono?) If you are going to do an "Edition" then be comprehensive!

[Thornhill]

Post by Greg
Most (if not all) of the recordings here have received DSD
remasterings in the last 10-15 yrs which are superior to the Sony EC
releases.  Many of them were only released in Japan, so most Americans/
Europeans may not have them, in which case this could be worth buying
for some people.

That's certainly true, but no guarantee that the most recent
remastering is being used.

For example, for the below CD reissue of the Slavonic Dances, B-sharp
did not use the digital master created for the 1999 SACD release, but
instead went with the master created in 1992 for Essential Classics
version (the SACD master sounds night and day better than the EC
version). B-sharp confirmed this to me in an e-mail; they said that
Sony did not provide them with any of the material created for the
SACD.

http://www.amazon.com/Dvorak-Slavonic-Dances-Op-46/dp/B004NSHB6Q/ref=sr_1_5?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1360343969&sr=1-5&keywords=szell+dvorak


My point is to be cautious, not to assume that Sony is using the best
digital master available.

Post by Greg
-Bruckner 3/8:  I can't recall if this was part of the Japanese DSD
Szell reissues 10+ yrs ago.  If so, I don't have it.
-Bruckner 7 w/VPO:  Don't know if the Japanese version is different
than the U.S. version.
-J. Strauss: Was there a Japanese DSD disc?  Can't recall.

3/8 were released late last year by Sony Japan: SICC-1603

[Mark S]

Post by Greg
Most (if not all) of the recordings here have received DSD
remasterings in the last 10-15 yrs which are superior to the Sony EC
releases.  Many of them were only released in Japan, so most Americans/
Europeans may not have them, in which case this could be worth buying
for some people.
-Haydn symphonies: Most of these were re-released a few years ago in
the U.S., but it is not clear to me that they were remastered.  I've
never heard a Japanese release of these.  The earlier 97, along with
98/99, did get a remastered reissue in the U.S. 10+ yrs ago in
whichever series had the cardboard sleeves.

I have Szell's Haydn in a number of issues:

1. Masterworks Heritage (1997). Contains 97 -99; 97 & 99 are "first
stereo release of 1957 recordings. Mastering is "SBM."

2. Sony Classical (2009). Early London Symphonies 93-98. 2 CDs. No
indication of any special mastering.

3. Sony Masters (2011). Syms 88, 92-99 & 104. Includes 2 version of
97. 4CDs. "24-bit high resolution audio."

[Thornhill]

Post by Mark S
3. Sony Masters (2011). Syms 88, 92-99 & 104. Includes 2 version of
97. 4CDs. "24-bit high resolution audio."

The claims of "24-bit high resolution audio" from that series are
totally bogus.

I have the Casadesus/Szell and Levine/Mahler box sets; the sound --
right down to the level of tape hiss -- is identical to the CD
releases from the early 1990s.

[Mark S]

Post by Thornhill

Post by Mark S
3. Sony Masters (2011). Syms 88, 92-99 & 104. Includes 2 version of
97. 4CDs. "24-bit high resolution audio."

The claims of "24-bit high resolution audio" from that series are
totally bogus.
I have the Casadesus/Szell and Levine/Mahler box sets; the sound --
right down to the level of tape hiss -- is identical to the CD
releases from the early 1990s.

I have no doubt that all of the recordings in the Masters series were
produced on 24-bit machines as they are now the standard in the
industry. Ergo the "24-bit" box on the back of each set.

The question is whether the engineers spent any time and effort during
the mastering process to make the recordings sound any better. There's
nothing inherent in 24-bit mastering that would reduce tape hiss from
analogue sources.

Most likely, Sony's placing of that 24-bit note on the back of the box
is saying, "hey, we mastered these things using what is now our
standard technology. If you want to imagine that means we made them
better at the same time, well, you're welcome to your opinion."

[Thornhill]

Post by Mark S

Post by Thornhill

Post by Mark S
3. Sony Masters (2011). Syms 88, 92-99 & 104. Includes 2 version of
97. 4CDs. "24-bit high resolution audio."

The claims of "24-bit high resolution audio" from that series are
totally bogus.
I have the Casadesus/Szell and Levine/Mahler box sets; the sound --
right down to the level of tape hiss -- is identical to the CD
releases from the early 1990s.

I have no doubt that all of the recordings in the Masters series were
produced on 24-bit machines as they are now the standard in the
industry. Ergo the "24-bit" box on the back of each set.
The question is whether the engineers spent any time and effort during
the mastering process to make the recordings sound any better. There's
nothing inherent in 24-bit mastering that would reduce tape hiss from
analogue sources.
Most likely, Sony's placing of that 24-bit note on the back of the box
is saying, "hey, we mastered these things using what is now our
standard technology. If you want to imagine that means we made them
better at the same time, well, you're welcome to your opinion."

As I see it, "24-bit" implies that the new digital masters were made
from the analog tapes at 24-bit (because early digital transfers were
done at 16-bit).

If all Sony did was upconvert the 16-bit masters to 24-bit, only to
downconvert them back to 16-bit for CD, that's useless.

It also makes no sense to have 24-bit on anything that was a 16-bit
digital recording, like the Janowski Ring or some of the Levine/Mahler
recordings. All they could have down was upconvert the files to 24-
bit.

[J.Martin]

Post by Mark S
Most likely, Sony's placing of that 24-bit note on the back of the box
is saying, "hey, we mastered these things using what is now our
standard technology. If you want to imagine that means we made them
better at the same time, well, you're welcome to your opinion."

Well, then in my opinion, that set offered no noticeable improvement
over previous CD versions.

I'm afraid this will likely turn out to be another one of those
gigantic boxes that is only useful as a space-saver (since it takes
less shelf than the individual CDs) or a door stop.

Which is such a wasted opportunity. There are many of us zealots out
here who would be willing to dig pretty deep into our pockets for
significantly improved sound and even just a few unissued
performances. I sure wish the Cleveland Orchestra would reissue that
Szell box, some great live performances on that.

[Alan Cooper]

Post by Mark S
1. Masterworks Heritage (1997). Contains 97 -99; 97 & 99 are "first
stereo release of 1957 recordings. Mastering is "SBM."
2. Sony Classical (2009). Early London Symphonies 93-98. 2 CDs. No
indication of any special mastering.
3. Sony Masters (2011). Syms 88, 92-99 & 104. Includes 2 version of
97. 4CDs. "24-bit high resolution audio."

#3 includes the stereo 92 from 1961 as on CD 22 of the new set, right? For
the 1949 mono there's the United Archives issue, c/w 88/104 (1954, on CD
23). The new box holds little appeal for me given what I own already, but
I wouldn't mind having the Strauss collection (CD 41), which I have long
enjoyed on LP.

AC

[Steve de Mena]

Post by Greg
-Bruckner 3/8: I can't recall if this was part of the Japanese DSD
Szell reissues 10+ yrs ago. If so, I don't have it.

This was reissued a few months ago in Japan, and I have it. It makes
no mention of DSD nor does it credit any remastering engineer. I don't
have any other issues to compare it to. (Sony SICC 1603~4) UPC
4547366186635
It has (P) and (C) 2012 dates on the back.

It is ¥1,890 so I imagine it was considered a mid-priced reissue.

Steve

[wade]

Post by r***@gmail.com
If yes, prepare your budget.
http://tower.jp/item/3215846/George-Szell---The-Edition
Like 49 | Number of Configurations
Specifications clamshell box (size: 133mm Depth 168mm × 152mm × horizontal vertical)
• Weight: 2kg
(Korean, English notation) booklet
Each disc is housed in a jacket in the paper bag
"George Cell Edition"
[CD1]
Concerto for Orchestra, Sz 116: Bartok
Recording: Severance Hall, Cleveland, January 15 & 16,1965
Janacek: Sinfonietta
Cleveland Orchestra
George cell (conductor)
Recording: Severance Hall, Cleveland, October 15,1965
[CD2]
Cleveland Orchestra
George cell (conductor)
Recorded at Severance Hall, Cleveland, Ohio, October 2,1964 (Symphony No.1)
and October 23,1964 (Symphony No.2)
[CD3]
Cleveland Orchestra
George cell (conductor)
Recorded at Severance Hall, Cleveland, Ohio, April 22 & 23,1957
[CD4]
No. 4 in B flat major, Op.60 Beethoven: Symphony
Cleveland Orchestra
George cell (conductor)
Recorded at Severance Hall, Cleveland, Ohio, April 5 & 6,1963
[CD5]
K.551 "Jupiter" Symphony No. 41 in C major: Mozart
Cleveland Orchestra
George cell (conductor)
Recorded at Severance Hall, Cleveland, Ohio, October 11 & 25,1963
[CD6]
Cleveland Orchestra
George cell (conductor)
Recorded at Severance Hall, Cleveland, Ohio, January 20 & 21,1962
[CD7]
Cleveland Orchestra
George cell (conductor)
Recorded at Severance Hall, Cleveland, Ohio, October 29 & 30,1959
[CD8]
Cleveland Orchestra
George cell (conductor)
Recorded at Severance Hall, Cleveland, Ohio, April 15,1961
[CD9]
Adele Addison (soprano)
Jane Hobson (mezzo-soprano)
Richard Lewis (tenor)
Donald Bell (baritone)
Cleveland Orchestra
George cell (conductor)
Recorded at Severance Hall, Cleveland, Ohio, April 21 & 22,1961
[CD10]
1 Overture Op.84 "Egmont"
2 Op.62 Overture "Coriolan"
Op.117 Overture to "King Stephen" 3
Op.72b Overture No. 2 4 "Leonore"
Recorded at Severance Hall, Cleveland, Ohio, October 8 & 29,1966
5 No. 1, Op.138 Overture "Leonore"
6 Overture Op.72 "Fidelio"
Cleveland Orchestra
George cell (conductor)
Recorded at Severance Hall, Cleveland, Ohio, August 25,1967
[CD11]
Cleveland Orchestra
George cell (conductor)
Recorded at Severance Hall, Cleveland, Ohio, October 7,1966 (Symphony No.1),
October 24,1964 (Variations on a Theme by Haydn)
[CD12]
Cleveland Orchestra
George cell (conductor)
Recorded at Severance Hall, Cleveland, Ohio, January 6,1967 (Symphony No.2),
October 16 & 17,1964 (Symphony No.3)
[CD13]
Cleveland Orchestra
George cell (conductor)
Recorded at Severance Hall, Cleveland, Ohio, April 8 & 9,1966 (Symphony No.4),
October 28,1966 (Tragic Overture & Academic Festival Overture)
[CD14]
Bruckner: Symphony No. 3 in D minor [1889 version Novak]
Bruckner: Symphony No. 8 in C minor [1890 version Novak]
Cleveland Orchestra
George cell (conductor)
Recorded at Severance Hall, Cleveland, Ohio, January 28 & 29,1966 (No.3),
October 3,6,10 & 13,1969 (No.8)
[CD15]
Bruckner: Symphony No. 8 in C minor [1890 version Novak]
Cleveland Orchestra
George cell (conductor)
Recorded at Severance Hall, Cleveland, Ohio, October 3,6,10 & 13,1969
[CD16]
Symphony No. 7 in E major: Bruckner
Vienna Philharmonic
George cell (conductor)
Recorded at Grosses Festspielhaus, Salzberg, Austria, Auguet 21,1968
[CD17]
Cleveland Orchestra
George cell (conductor)
Recorded at Severance Hall, Cleveland, Ohio, 1963,1964,1965
[CD18]
"From My Life" T.116 String Quartet No. 1 in E minor: Smetana
Cleveland Orchestra
George cell (conductor)
Recorded on April 26,1949, in Severance Hall, Cleveland, Ohio; Mono
[CD19]
Recorded on October 24-25 & 31 and November 1,1958, in Severance Hall, Cleveland, Ohio; Stereo
Cleveland Orchestra
George cell (conductor)
Recorded on March 20-21,1959, in Severance Hall, Cleveland, Ohio; Stereo
[CD20]
Symphony No. 93 in D major: Haydn
"Surprise" Symphony No. 94 in G major: Haydn
Symphony No. 95 in C minor: Haydn
Cleveland Orchestra
George cell (conductor)
Recorded at Severance Hall, Cleveland, Ohio, USA, April 19,1968 (1-4), May 5,1967 (5-8), January 17/18, 1969 (9-12)
[CD21]
"Miracle" Symphony # 95 in D major: Haydn
Symphony No. 97 in C major: Haydn
Symphony No. 98 in B flat major: Haydn
Cleveland Orchestra
George cell (conductor)
Recorded at Severance Hall, Cleveland, Ohio, USA, October 11,1968 (1-4), October 3,6 & 10,1969 (5-8), October 10,1969 (9-12)
[CD22]
In G major "Oxford" Symphony No. 92: Haydn
Symphony No. 99 in E flat major: Haydn
Cleveland Orchestra
George cell (conductor)
Recorded at Severance Hall, Cleveland, Ohio, USA, October 20,1961 (1-4), October 25/26, 1957 (5-8)
[CD23]
Symphony No. 88 in G major: Haydn
"London" Symphony No. 104 in D major: Haydn
Symphony No. 97 in C major: Haydn
Cleveland Orchestra
George cell (conductor)
Recorded at Severance Hall, Cleveland, Ohio, USA, April 9,1954 (1-8) October 25 & 26,1957 (9-12)
[CD24]
Symphonic Metamorphoses on Themes of Weber: Hindemith
Recording: Severance Hall, Cleveland, October 10,1964
Variations on a Theme by Hindemith: Walton
Recording: Severance Hall, Cleveland, October 9,1964
Symphony No. 2: Walton
Recording: Severance Hall, Cleveland, February 24 & March 3,1961
Cleveland Orchestra
(Conductor) George cells [CD25]
"Hary Janos Suite": Kodaly
Recording: Severance Hall, Cleveland, January 10,1969
60 piece "Lieutenant Kije Suite": Prokofiev
Recording: Severance Hall, Cleveland, January 17,1969
Dattan people dance from "Prince Igor" opera: Borodin
Recording: Masonic Temple, Cleveland, February 28,1958
Movies 34 songs Capriccio Espagnol: Rimsky-Korsakov
Recording: Masonic Temple, Cleveland, February 28,1958
Ri~adofu: I work 62 Enchanted Lake (Legend for Orchestra)
Recording: Severance Hall, Cleveland, October 30,1963
Cleveland Orchestra
George cell (conductor)
[CD26]
Recording: Severance Hall, Cleveland, November 1,1958
Partita for Orchestra: Walton
Recording: Severance Hall, Cleveland, January 21,1959
Stravinsky: "The Firebird Suite" (1919 version)
Recording: Severance Hall, Cleveland, February 24 & March 3,1961
Cleveland Orchestra
George cell (conductor)
[CD27]
Mahler: "Tragic" Symphony No. 6 in A minor (Revised, Critical Edition)
Cleveland Orchestra
George cell (conductor)
Recorded at Severance Hall, Cleveland, October, 1967
[CD28]
A major Op.90 "Italian" Symphony No. 4: Mendelssohn
Recording: Severance Hall, Cleveland, October 26,1962
Op.61 "A Midsummer Night's Dream" music drama palsy: Mendelssohn
Recording: Severance Hall, Cleveland, January 13,1967
Recording: Severance Hall, Cleveland, October 25,1957
Cleveland Orchestra
George cell (conductor)
[CD29]
Mozart: K.200 Symphony No. 28 in C major (189k)
Symphony No. 33 in B flat major, K.319: Mozart
Cleveland Orchestra
George cell (conductor)
(Track 1-4) Recorded at Severance Hall, Cleveland, Ohio, October 1 & 2,1965
(Track 5) Recorded at Severance Hall, Cleveland, Ohio, October 25,1958
(Track 6-9) Recorded at Severance Hall, Cleveland, Ohio, October 26,1962
[CD30]
K.385 "Haffner" Symphony No. 35 in D Major: Mozart
Symphony No. 39 in E flat major, K.543: Mozart
Bonus Mono Version
Mozart: Symphony No. 40 in G minor, K.550 (1955 Mono Recording)
Cleveland Orchestra
George cell (conductor)
[CD31]
Symphony No. 40 in G minor, K.550: Mozart
K.551 "Jupiter" Symphony No. 41 in C major: Mozart
Overture K.486 "house manager" Opera: Mozart
Cleveland Orchestra
George cell (conductor)
(Track 1-4) Recorded at Severance Hall, Cleveland, August 25,1967
(Track 5-8) Recorded at Severance Hall, Cleveland, Ohio, October 11 & 25,1963
(Track 9) Recorded at Severance Hall, Cleveland, Ohio, January 28 & 29,1966
[CD32]
Divertimento in D Major, K.131: Mozart
Maurice Sharp (flute) / Mark Rifushei (oboe) / George Gosuri (bassoon) / Myron Bloom, Roy Worth, Martin Morris, Erunani-Anzerutchi (Horn)
Members of the Cleveland Orchestra
George cell (conductor)
Bonus Mono Version
Mozart: K.551 "Jupiter" Symphony No. 41 in C major (1955 Mono Recording)
Cleveland Orchestra
George cell (conductor)
(Track 1-6) Recorded at Severance Hall, Cleveland, Ohio, April 20,1963
(Track 7-10) Recorded at Severance Hall, Cleveland, Ohio, November 18,1955
[CD33]
Mozart: K.364 Sinfonia Concertante in E flat major for violin and viola (320d)
Rafael Druian (violin) / Abraham Sukanikku (viola)
Members of the Cleveland Orchestra
George cell (conductor)
Mozart: Ekusurutate-Yubirate K.165 (158a)
Judith Raskin (soprano)
Bonus Mono Version
Mozart: K.543 Symphony No. 39 in E flat major (1947 Mono Recording)
Cleveland Orchestra
George cell (conductor)
(Track 1-3) Recorded at Severance Hall, Cleveland, Ohio, December 28,1963
(Track 4-6) Recorded at Severance Hall, Cleveland, May 11,1954
(Track 7-10) Recorded at Severance Hall, Cleveland, Ohio, April 22,1947
[CD34]
Major K.525 Eine kleine Nachtmusik port: Mozart
K.320 "Post Horn" Serenade No. 9: Mozart
Cleveland Orchestra
George cell (conductor)
(Track 1-4) Recorded at Severance Hall, Cleveland, Ohio, October 7,1968
(Track 5-11) Recorded at Severance Hall, Cleveland, January 10,18 & 24,1969
[CD35]
A major Clarinet Concerto K.622: Mozart
Robert Marucherusu (clarinet)
Piano Concerto No. 25 in C major, K.503: Mozart
Leon Fleisher (piano)
Cleveland Orchestra
George cell (conductor)
(Track 1-3) Recorded at Severance Hall, Cleveland, Ohio, October 21,1961
(Track 4-6) Recorded at Severance Hall, Cleveland, Ohio, January 9 & 10,1959
[CD36]
Mozart: Violin Sonata No. 32 to major K.376 (374d)
Mozart: Violin Sonata No. 25 in G major, K.301 (293a)
Mozart: K.304 Violin Sonata No. 28 in E minor (300c)
No. 24 in C major, K.296 Sonata for Violin and Piano: Mozart
Rafael Druian (violin)
George cell (piano)
Recorded at Columbia 30th Street Studio, New York City, August 1-3,1967
[CD37]
Mozart: Piano Quartet No. 1 in G minor, K.478 (1946 Mono Recording)
Mozart: K.493 in E flat major Piano Quartet No. 2 (1946 Mono Recording)
George cell (piano)
Members of the Budapest String Quartet
Joseph Roisman (violin) / Boris Kruyt viola / Mischa Schneider (cello)
Recorded at Liederkranz Hall, New York City, August 19 & 20,1946
[CD38]
Peer Gynt Suite Op.46 1: Grieg
Recording: Severance Hall, Cleveland, January 21,1966
Suite first woman of Arles: Bizet
Recording: Severance Hall, Cleveland, March 25 & 26,1966
"Pictures at an Exhibition" Suite: Mussorgsky (arr. Ravel)
Recording: Severance Hall, Cleveland, October 30,1963
Mussorgsky: from "Hovu~anshichina Opera" "Dawn of the Moscow River"
Recording: Severance Hall, Cleveland, February 28-March 1,1958
Cleveland Orchestra
George cell (conductor)
[CD39]
Symphony Op.53 home: Richard Strauss
Recording: Severance Hall, Cleveland, January 10,1964
Op.11 Horn Concerto No. 1 in E flat major: Richard Strauss
Recording: Severance Hall, Cleveland, October 27,1961
"Don Juan" Op.20 Symphonic Poem: Richard Strauss
Tondichtung nach Nikolaus Lenau
Recording: Severance Hall, Cleveland, March 29 & 30,1957
Myron Bloom (Horn)
Cleveland Orchestra
George cell (conductor)
[CD40]
Death and Transfiguration Op.24: Richard Strauss
Tondichtung
Recording: Severance Hall, Cleveland, March 29 & 30,1957
Op.28 amusing prank Till Eulenspiegel: Richard Strauss
Tondichtung nach alter Schelmenweise-in Rondeauform
Recording: Severance Hall, Cleveland, March 29,1957
"Don Quixote" Op.35 Symphonic Poem: Richard Strauss
Fantastische Variationen uber ein Thema ritterlichen Characters
Recording: Severance Hall, Cleveland, October 28 & 29,1960)
Pierre Fournier (cello)
Cleveland Orchestra
George cell (conductor)
[CD41]
Op.314 "The Blue Danube" waltz: Johann Strauss 2
Polka pizzicato: Johann Strauss 2
Op.212 8:52 "delirium" Waltz: Josef Strauss
Op.410 5:51 "Voices of Spring" Waltz: Johann Strauss 2
Op.164 "swallow village in Austria" Waltz: Josef Strauss
Perpetuum mobile Op.257: Johann Strauss 2
Recording: Severance Hall, Cleveland, January 5,1962.1-6
Op.362 8:02 Overture "Die Fledermaus" opera buffa: Johann Strauss 2
Recording: Severance Hall, Cleveland, March 1,1958
Cleveland Orchestra
George cell (conductor)
[CD42]
Overtures: Rossini
Cleveland Orchestra
George cell (conductor)
[CD43]
Recording: Severance Hall, Cleveland, March 12 & 19,1960
D 944 "Great" C major Symphony No. 9: Schubert
Recording: Severance Hall, Cleveland, November 1,1957
Cleveland Orchestra
George cell (conductor)
[CD44]
"Spring" Op.38 Symphony No. 1 in B flat major: Schumann
Recording: Severance Hall, Cleveland, October 24 & 25,1958
Symphony No. 2 in C major Op.61: Schumann
Recording: Severance Hall, Cleveland, October 24,1960
Cleveland Orchestra
George cell (conductor)
[CD45]
Op.97 "line" Symphony No. 3 in E flat major: Schumann
Recording: Severance Hall, Cleveland, October 21,1958)
Symphony No. 4 in D major, Op.120: Schumann
Recording: Severance Hall, Cleveland, March 12,1960
Op.115 Overture to "Manfred": Schumann
Recording: Severance Hall, Cleveland, January 21,1959
Cleveland Orchestra
George cell (conductor)
[CD46]
Recording: Severance Hall, Cleveland, October 23,1959
Recording: Severance Hall, Cleveland, February 28, & March 1,1958
Cleveland Orchestra
George cell (conductor)
[CD47]
Orchestral Collection: Wagner
(Track 1-6) Recording: Severance Hall, Cleveland, October 11,1968
(Track 7-8) Recording: Severance Hall, Cleveland, January 26,1962
Cleveland Orchestra
George cell (conductor)
[CD48]
Live in Tokyo 1970
Applause
Overture to "Oberon" Opera: Weber
Symphony No. 40 in G minor, K.550: Mozart
Recording: Tokyo Bunka Kaikan (Live), May 22,1970
Cleveland Orchestra
George cell (conductor)
[CD49]
Live in Tokyo 1970
Op.24 "La Damnation de Faust" opera-march Rakottsu~i: Berlioz
Recording: Tokyo Bunka Kaikan (Live), Japan, May 22,1970
Cleveland Orchestra
George cell (conductor)
※ has been recorded in the CD31 and CD5 "Mozart: Symphony No. 41" will be the same sound source.
※ For stereo and monaural recording the following songs have been recorded.
Symphony No. 39: 1) Mozart
Stereo recording - CD30 (March 11 & 12,1960)
Monaural recording - CD33 (April 22,1947)
Symphony No. 40: 2) Mozart
Stereo recording - CD31 (August 25,1967)
Monaural recording - CD30 (November 18,1955)
Symphony No. 41: 3) Mozart
Stereo recording - CD31 (October 11 & 25,1963)
Monaural recording - CD32 (November 18,1955)

Certainly not going to give up my stash of Szell Sony SACDs for this!

[Gerard]

Post by wade
Certainly not going to give up my stash of Szell Sony SACDs for this!

Please trim your posts.

[td]

Post by r***@gmail.com
If yes, prepare your budget.
http://tower.jp/item/3215846/George-Szell---The-Edition

Gosh.

49 CDs of dry as dust competent music-making.

Sounds enticing to me.

TD

[l***@hotmail.com]

Post by td

Post by r***@gmail.com
If yes, prepare your budget.
http://tower.jp/item/3215846/George-Szell---The-Edition

Gosh.
49 CDs of dry as dust competent music-making.
Sounds enticing to me.
TD

And how IS internet speed on Mars?

For people interested in music: It is a real disappointment, though not a surprise, that Szell's Bruckner Eighth is apparently not remastered. If Andrew Kazdin's tacky reverb is not in the master tapes -- although it could be with delay microphone tricks -- you can tell immediately by a realistic decay time in those passages where the full orchestral sound breaks off suddenly. Sure, Severance Hall is a somewhat dry recording venue, but who needs this sonic bath wash?

[Thornhill]

Post by l***@hotmail.com

Post by td

Post by r***@gmail.com
If yes, prepare your budget.
http://tower.jp/item/3215846/George-Szell---The-Edition

Gosh.
49 CDs of dry as dust competent music-making.
Sounds enticing to me.
TD

And how IS internet speed on Mars?
For people interested in music: It is a real disappointment, though not a surprise, that Szell's Bruckner Eighth is apparently not remastered.  If Andrew Kazdin's tacky reverb is not in the master tapes -- although it could be with delay microphone tricks -- you can tell immediately by a realistic decay time in those passages where the full orchestral sound breaks off suddenly.  Sure, Severance Hall is a somewhat dry recording venue, but who needs this sonic bath wash?

I'm guessing that the reverb was added post, if not specifically for
CD releases.

If you compare recordings issued on CBS Great Performances and Sony
Essential Classics with subsequent remaster series, it is quite
apparent that reverb was added for those early CD releases. The Mozart
Serenades that Kazdin recorded sound excellent in the remastered
Mozart box set (but the Ring excerpts remastered for SACD are plagued
by distortions and shrill sound).

[wkasimer]

Post by r***@gmail.com
If yes, prepare your budget.

Found on Amazon.com today:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B00BANCWSO

Bill

[wade]

Post by wkasimer

Post by r***@gmail.com
If yes, prepare your budget.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B00BANCWSO
Bill

$200 intial aasking price?

[d***@gmail.com]

SERIOUSLY considering buying this.

Did anyone out there take the plunge? Any word on whether the contents have been remastered or are using the newest mastering available?

Any info would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
David

[wagnerfan]

Post by d***@gmail.com
SERIOUSLY considering buying this.
Did anyone out there take the plunge? Any word on whether the contents have been remastered or are using the newest mastering available?
Any info would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks,
David

I hope its the same sound as was on the Original Jackets Szell
Beethoven set which was wonderful. Wagner fan

[td]

Post by d***@gmail.com
SERIOUSLY considering buying this.
Did anyone out there take the plunge? Any word on whether the contents have been remastered or are using the newest mastering available?
Any info would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks,
David

 I hope its the same sound as was on the Original Jackets Szell
Beethoven set which was wonderful. Wagner fan

There has never been and there never will be a "wonderful" sounding
recording of the CO under George Szell.

TD

[Bob Harper]

Post by td

Post by wagnerfan

Post by d***@gmail.com
SERIOUSLY considering buying this.
Did anyone out there take the plunge? Any word on whether the contents have been remastered or are using the newest mastering available?
Any info would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks,
David

I hope its the same sound as was on the Original Jackets Szell
Beethoven set which was wonderful. Wagner fan

There has never been and there never will be a "wonderful" sounding
recording of the CO under George Szell.
TD

An extreme over-reaction, Tom. We know you don't like Szell, but history
and critical opinion are against you--not, of course, that you will
care. Certainly the Columbia LPs were not good, but the remastered
Beethoven's not bad at all; likewise the Mozart. If the entire set is at
that level, I ust might change my mind about buying it.

Bob Harper

[td]

Post by Bob Harper

Post by td

Post by d***@gmail.com
SERIOUSLY considering buying this.
Did anyone out there take the plunge? Any word on whether the contents have been remastered or are using the newest mastering available?
Any info would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks,
David

  I hope its the same sound as was on the Original Jackets Szell
Beethoven set which was wonderful. Wagner fan

There has never been and there never will be a "wonderful" sounding
recording of the CO under George Szell.
TD

An extreme over-reaction, Tom. We know you don't like Szell, but history
and critical opinion are against you--not, of course, that you will
care. Certainly the Columbia LPs were not good, but the remastered
Beethoven's not bad at all; likewise the Mozart. If the entire set is at
that level, I ust might change my mind about buying it.

Szell is one thing. Tight, controlled, anally retentive I would say.

But the sound he achieved was, in a word, appalling. Not even vaguely
up to the competition from RCA and Decca and EMI at the time. And
"wonderful"? We'll not sit and allow little Dicky to get away with
that description, now, will we?

TD

[Oscar]

Post by Bob Harper
An extreme over-reaction, Tom. We know you don't like Szell, but history
and critical opinion are against you--not, of course, that you will
care. Certainly the Columbia LPs were not good, but the remastered
Beethoven's not bad at all; likewise the Mozart. If the entire set is at
that level, I ust might change my mind about buying it.

I listened to Szell's Mozart 41 the other day. Recorded at Severance Hall, October 11 & 25, 1963. Dry as dust is actually pretty accurate, at least vis-a-vis Zinman's mid-90's live recording on the private label Baltimore SO 3CD set. Not just the typical lacking 60's Columbia sound, but the interpretation was rigid, four-square, and loveless. As to the playing, yes, pretty tight!

OTOH, Szell's famous Sibelius 2 from 1970 is outstanding. But that was a live recording, IIRC.

[Bob Harper]

Post by Oscar

Post by Bob Harper
An extreme over-reaction, Tom. We know you don't like Szell, but
history and critical opinion are against you--not, of course, that
you will care. Certainly the Columbia LPs were not good, but the
remastered Beethoven's not bad at all; likewise the Mozart. If the
entire set is at that level, I ust might change my mind about
buying it.

I listened to Szell's Mozart 41 the other day. Recorded at Severance
Hall, October 11& 25, 1963. Dry as dust is actually pretty accurate,
at least vis-a-vis Zinman's mid-90's live recording on the private
label Baltimore SO 3CD set. Not just the typical lacking 60's
Columbia sound, but the interpretation was rigid, four-square, and
loveless. As to the playing, yes, pretty tight!
OTOH, Szell's famous Sibelius 2 from 1970 is outstanding. But that
was a live recording, IIRC.

It is, and only a few weeks before he died. But also try his Mendelssohn
Italian and tell me *that's* 'rigid, foursquare, and loveless'. I don't
think you will.

Bob Harper