CLASSIC RECORDS 4-LPs LSC-2436: Respighi - Pines of Rome + REINER, 180g 1995 USA

	C$		300
	$		210

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Background -

This is a superb 4-LP set by Classic Records, cut at 45rpm for maximum fidelity!

As some audiophiles are keenly aware, Classic Record titles that were issued on 180 gram vinyl (or of less weight), sounded much better than the later 200 gram versions of the same title. Apparently this has to do with the vinyl presses that were used to make the LPs when they switched over to 200 gram vinyl. These machines were never set up to handle the extra thick, 200 gram versions. And to simply flip from 180 to 200 proved very problematic. The vinyl was noisy. There were pressing flaws. All in all, an inferior product when compared to the heavy, but much better sounding 180 gram vinyl. Classic Records came out with all kinds of variants for their 200 gram pressings - remember all that? If you lived through that period, you likely were wondering why there were so many versions of the same music being made by the same company! It was simply that the 200 gram versions were inferior to the earlier pressings made on 180 gram vinyl. This is the reason why the 180 gram versions not only cost much more to acquire now, but they did, in fact, sound much better. As a collector, you will probably want to try a few versions yourself to see if audiophiles were simply imagining what they were hearing - this is your chance to acquire one such title. This LP is on 180 gram vinyl. It is one of the first pressings made of this title and best of all, it's factory sealed! Don't wait too long to get these LPs as supplies are disappearing. When they are gone, they are gone forever and we all know what that means insofar as (increasing) prices are concerned.

A highly sought-after RCA shaded dog Living Stereo title, the performance and sonics found within, rate a resounding 10 out of 10. The dynamics are monstrous! This is one of the jewels in the Living Stereo crown. This, like the Rimsky-Korsakov Scheherazade, is considered one of the very best LPs by Reiner, the CSO and RCA's crew. Another Mohr and Layton classic.

Pines of Rome is a symphonic poem written in 1924 by the Italian composer Ottorino Respighi and, together with Fontane di Roma and Feste Romane, forms what is sometimes loosely referred to as his "Roman trilogy". Each movement depicts the pine trees in different locations in Rome at different times of day. 

1. I pini di Villa Borghese (The Pines of Villa Borghese)
2. Pini presso una catacomba (Pines near a catacomb)
3. I pini del Gianicolo (The Pines of the Janiculum)
4. I pini della Via Appia (The Pines of the Appian Way)
   

The first movement, I pini di Villa Borghese, portrays noisy children playing soldiers and marching in the pine groves of the Borghese gardens. The second movement, Pini presso una catacomba is a majestic dirge, representing pine trees near a catacomb in Campagna. Lower orchestral instruments, plus the organ pedal at 16' and 32' pitch, suggest the subterranean nature of the catacombs, while the trombones represent priests chanting. The third part, I pini del Gianicolo, is a nocturne set near a temple, on the Janiculum hill, of the Roman god Janus. Double-faced gods open large doors and gates, marking the beginning of a new year. Respighi takes the opportunity to include the actual sound of a nightingale, something that had never been done before. (The score mentions a specific recording that can be played on a phonograph: the "Brunswick Panatrope"). The final movement, I pini della Via Appia, portrays pine trees along the great Appian Way. Misty dawn: a legion advances along the Via Appia in the brilliance of the newly-risen sun. Respighi wanted the ground to tremble under the footsteps of his army and he instructs the organ to play bottom B flat on 8', 16' and 32' organ pedal. The score calls for buccine - ancient trumpets that are usually represented by flugelhorns. Trumpets peal and the consular army rises in triumph to the Capitoline Hill.

Fontane di Roma (Fountains of Rome) is a 1916 work by Respighi, now considered part of the Roman Trilogy of symphonic poems. Each of the four sections is meant to depict one of Rome’s fountains during different periods of the day and night.

Arturo Toscanini originally planned to conduct the work in 1916, but the Italian composer refused to appear for the performance after a disagreement over his having included some of Wagner's music on a program played during World War I. Consequently, it did not premiere until March 11, 1917 where it appeared at the Teatro Augusteo in Rome with Antonio Guarnieri as conductor. Although the premiere was unsuccessful, Toscanini finally conducted the work in Milan in 1918 with tremendous success.

The piece was first performed in the United States on February 13, 1919. Toscanini recorded the music with the NBC Symphony Orchestra in Carnegie Hall in 1951. The work has since become one of the most eminent examples of the symphonic poem.

1. "La fontana di Valle Giulia all'alba" (The Fountain of Valle Giulia at Dawn)
2. "La fontana del Tritone al mattino" (The Triton Fountain in the Morning)
3. "La fontana di Trevi al meriggio" (The Trevi Fountain at noon)
4. "La fontana di Villa Medici al tramonto" (The Villa Medici Fountain at Sunset)
   

The first section, "La fontana di Valle Giulia all'Alba", shows this fountain at daybreak in a pastoral landscape, in which cattle pass during the morning.

In the second section- "La fontana del Tritone al mattino" - Naiads and Tritons dancing in the morning light, as figures of the Bernini fountain are seen nearby. Gods and goddesses using conch shells are portrayed by the French horn.

The third section introduces "La fontana di Trevi al meriggio" and is ushered in by a triumph giving news of a recent victory by the god Neptune.

The final section, "La fontana di Villa Medici al tramonto", portrays a much more melancholic atmosphere, as the brilliance of the sun fades.

• CLASSIC RECORDS 4 x LP set - Shaded Dog record labels - RED with SILVER lettering, sporting the famous little nipper dog logo at the top third of the record label.

• Records Made in the USA

• Pressings are in STEREO

• Record Speed: 45 rpm (one sided only, ie., music on one side, blank on the other)
  

• Earliest (and best sounding) version of this audiophile reissue by Classic Records - using 180-gram virgin vinyl, this title is long out of print.
  

• Records issued in: 1995. The original LP was issued in 1960 by RCA. Recorded by Richard Mohr (producer) and Lewis Layton (recording engineer). Remastering was done by Bernie Grundman - you can see his signature right in the dead wax area of the records.
  

• Record Catalog Number: LSC 2436

Featured on this item:

Ottorino Respighi

Track Listing:

Pines of Rome

Fountains of Rome

CONDITION Details:

• The LP jackets are in Near Mint minus overall condition!

• The jackets have NO seam splits - completely intact.
  

• The jackets have NO drill holes or saw marks of any kind.
  

• There is NO hand writing on the front or back of the jacket.

• The cover has clean and sharp colors - see pictures with this listing for more detail. 

• The LP is in Near MINT minus condition as well - virtually as NEW!

• No marks on the vinyl! This is the near mint copy you have always wanted in your collection - any super picky audiophile would be happy with this one!

A Short Note About LP GRADING -

• Mint = Only used for sealed items.
• Near Mint = Virtually flawless in every way.
• Near Mint Minus = Item has some minor imperfections, some audible.
• Excellent = Item obviously played and enjoyed with some noise.
• Very Good Plus = Many more imperfections which are noticeable and obtrusive.

For best results, always properly clean your LPs before playing them - even NEW ones.

The LP is an audiophile quality pressing (any collector of fine MFSL, half speeds, direct to discs, Japanese/UK pressings etc., can attest to the difference a quality pressing can make to an audio system).