Russian Music from Columbia LPs of the 1950s (Part I)

Russian Music from Columbia LPs of the 1950s (Part I)

Tchaikovsky - Concerto in D major for Violin and Orchestra, Op. 35 - Nathan Milstein, Violin / Chicago Symphony Orchestra / Frederick Stock

Tchaikovsky - Suite No. 1 in D major, Op. 43 (Movements I, II, IV, V & VI) - New York Philharmonic / Dimitri Mitropoulos

Borodin - Symphony No. 2 in B minor - New York Philharmonic / Dimitri Mitropoulos

Rachmaninov - Symphony No. 2 in E minor, Op. 27 - Philadelphia Orchestra / Eugene Ormandy


This is Part I of three offerings featuring predominately Russian works issued on the Columbia label (mostly "blue label" LPs) during the decade of the 1950s.

Equalization of these recordings has been performed with the aim of preserving their original ambience whenever possible.

The recording of the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto is a good-sounding early 1950s transfer of Milstein's legendary 1940 performance with Frederick Stock conducting the Chicago Symphony.

It should be noted that the 1954 recording of Tchaikovsky's First Suite excludes the third movement (Intermezzo) of this work - likely for reasons of space. Even so, this shortened version from Mitropoulos is still more than worth having.

Ormandy's magnificent 1951 performance of Rachmaninov's Second Symphony will be joined in Part III of this series by Ormandy's 1954 recording of the Rachmaninov Third Symphony.

LP transfers of material issued and / or recorded 1951, c. early-1950s & 1954 (Columbia).

Original covers, labels and notes included.