Prokofiev:Scythian Suite, Respighi Feste Romana, Ormandy, Philadelphia ML4142 VG
$
40
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Description
Columbia ML 4142: Legendary 1949 performances by Ormandy and The Philadelphia Orchestra at their unequaled peak - both the Scythian Suite and Feste Romana are powerful, driving, exciting performances - truly spectacular and wonderful. These performances call to mind Toscanini, but with better soloist and ensemble playing and more subtlety.
Famous Andy Warhol -designed cover.
Stampers are marked XLP 973 2A, XLP 972 2A.
On visual inspection, vinyl is clean with some light superficial scratches only, the worst being a 2" light radial scratch on Feste Romana; Jacket is in fine condition but with autograph initials in pencil or light crayon, and labels to the RHS edge (jacket opens at the top). Someone has suggested that the autograph "O" on front and back is that of Ormandy himself (i.e. initialed the album at a performance), but I cannot confirm that.
On purely visual grading, Vinyl is EX.
On play using a stereo fine-line cartridge, the vinyl sounds clean and dynamic, free from breakup or groove distortion, very fine extended and clear high end, better than most Columbias of the same period, but has fairly steady surface noise and crackle (as opposed to hearing distinct scratches which are infrequent). It is similar in this respect, in my experience to many other Columbias of the period, which were never the quietest recordings.However, if you are expecting pristine quiet surfaces this pressing is probably not for you.
In view of this surface noise I have play-rated the vinyl as merely VG.
It is also very possible that this surface noise will diminish with a phono cartridge with proper mono spherical stylus riding at the designed depth in the groove, or possibly if the purchaser chooses to apply a surface treatment such as LAST (record has been cleaned in 4% isopropyl solution in ultrasonic cleaner only, and no treatments applied).
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