greg@olivej.UUCP (Greg Paley) (01/17/84)
The recent postings with regard to the RCA "paper bag" records leads to the general topic of the quality of re-issues of classic performances. Is anyone interested in this topic? (If not, I'll cool it after this one). My own findings with regard to reissues of pre- and early stereo recordings are as follows: (1) British EMI - Generally outstanding. Transfers of mono recordings from the early 50's often have an astonishing depth and transparency. Avoid, however, those which have been faked into "stereo" (many of the Callas opera reissues). (2) French EMI - Outstanding of late. They tend to preserve the original mono on performances which the British have "stereoized". (3) Decca/London - Generally inferior to the originals. So far, whenever I've been able to compare an "ffrr" original with an Eclipse, Stereo Treasury, or Jubilee reissue, the result has been a quieter pressing with thinner, less full-bodied sound on the reissue. Since the death of the Richmond reissue label, they rarely reissue pre-stereo performances. (5) Philips - I've only heard the "Golden Imports", and can't comment on the Universo reissues. The "Golden Imports" all stem from the Mercury "Living Presence" catalogue. The pressings are much quieter and the occasional overbrightness and stridency of the Mercury issues are gone. Unfortunately, also gone are much of the detail, vibrancy, and bass clarity of the originals. I'd be happy to go into more detail with specific recordings if anyone is interested. I spend a lot of time listening to older performances (Toscanini, Cantelli, Flagstad, etc.) and am therefore highly concerned with the quality of reproduction on these issues. I don't, however, want to clog up the net with this kind of discussion if I'm the only one who is interested. Greg Paley Olivetti ATC, Cupertino, Ca.