Ernest Ansermet ?– The Royal Ballet Gala Performances Classic Records 2 lp set

$

275

Ernest Ansermet ? The Royal Ballet Gala Performances The Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden Classic Records RCA Living Stereo LDS 6065 (Producer: Michael Williamson. Engineer: Kenneth Wilkinson. Recorded in Kingsway Hall, London.)
The Royal Ballet Galla Performances has historically been the most highly sought after of the RCA Living Stereo releases. Recorded in Kingsway Hall, in 1957, by the legendary Kenneth Wilkinson and the Decca recording team. This title features selections from The Nutcracker Suite, Swan Lake and Sleeping Beauty among others. The performances are conducted by the legendary Ernst Ansermet directing the Royal Opera House Orchestra and the sonics are incomparable. 
A1 Tschaikovsky: From The Nutcracker Suite A2 Rossini-Respighi: From La Boutique Fantastique B1 Delibes: From Coppélia B2 Adam: From Giselle C1 Tschaikovsky: From Swan Lake C2 Schumann: From Carnaval D1 Tschaikovsky: From The Sleeping Beauty D2 Chopin: From Les Sylphides

Audiophilia Review:
"...this is the stuff of which dreams are made. The Royal Ballet Gala is one of the finest RCAs recorded in London's Kingsway Hall. The chunks of great ballet music are well served by orchestra, conductor and engineer. Performances are executed to a very high standard - the Royal Opera House Orchestra, both then and now, rank as one of the finest of opera orchestras. In fact, their celebrated status could live on indefinitely by virtue of their great RCAs!

Conductor Ansermet keeps the pace moving, giving the listener the impression of a dance event rather than a dramatic concert hall reading. With the exception of some of the Tchaikovsky scenes, the music is light and remains so under Ansermet's gentle touch. Each ballet is given full attention by the players, something not always attained at Covent Garden during long ballet nights! The threat of eternity does have its merits.

The recorded sound is simply amazing! Lustrous is one word that comes to mind, accurate is another. Tonally, Messrs. Williamson and Wilkinson have used their considerable talents to capture the orchestra superbly. Woodwind and strings glow and resonate, transporting this listener to a time when simpler recording was better. Brass ring out thrillingly and percussion effects are very musical. Be it a bang, swish, rattle, crack or snap, each percussionist is situated perfectly within the beautiful Kingsway soundstage. Even the difficult-to-record sound of the celeste is captured in its purely mechanical form. Its delicate sound is heard to great effect during the Nutcracker - originating stage left, the sound decays across the stage of Kingsway with sparkling beauty. Wonderful.

This is a superb recreation by Classic Records of one of the great RCAs. The original notes and sumptuous booklet are models of excellence and beauty."