Label: MERCURY LIVING PRESENCE Catalog: 4756194 Format: SACD
Very Rare!
Here's one of the Mercury Living Presence SACD reissues that really worked. (Some, like Respighi: Ancient Dances and Airs for Lute Suites 1, 2 & 3 don't sound quite as good for some reason.) The repertoire is what Beecham called "lollipops" -- not profound, but profoundly enjoyable from time to time (hence 4 stars instead of 5). The performances, by Dorati and the London Symphony, are full of life, very musical.
And the recording, of course, couldn't possibly be better: Wilma Cozart Fine and her crew in their prime. If you liked the Mercury house sound back in the LP era, you'll probably love this. Yes, it's brilliant rather than clinically well-balanced. The soundstage is probably not the deepest you'll ever hear. But, hey, your ears will thank you with every castanet snap, every snare-drum roll.
Highly recommended.
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