Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky:
01. - 08. The Nutcracker. Suite, op.71a [22'55]
Sergei Prokofiev:
09. - 13. The Love for Three Oranges. Suite, op.33a [13'13]
14. - 17. Symphony No. 1 in D major, op.25 'Classical' [13'48]
18. - 21. Symphony No. 7 in C-sharp minor op.131 [29'55]
Philharmonia Orchestra conducted by Nicolai Malko
EMI Classics for Pleasure 3822292 (recorded February 1955; this CD release 2007)
(digital download; cover and inlay scans - no booklet)
Recording venue: Kingsway Hall, London
Recording engineer: Christopher Parker; Producer: Lawrance Collingwood and David Bicknell
Although this is in general a particularly fine collection of performances, by the Ukrainian conductor, combining two short-measure LPs, it is currently offered for download by Presto Music in the UK at the absurdly high price of GBP 17.24. Ridiculous when EMI cannot be bothered to provide a booklet with the download and given that the CD retailed for around GBP 5.00 including a booklet. Fortunately I purchased this download from a now defunct retailer at a much more sensible price. (Presto also list Nicolai Malko as "Lead vocals" in the Nutcracker Suite but, thank goodness not in the Prokofiev. I couldn't hear him singing along from the podium in the Tchaikovsky.)
Malko offers vibrant readings of all the works with light textures and keeps everything moving along nicely. He and the orchestra are particularly effective in Prokofiev's seventh symphony and for many years there was little real competition for this recording. Unfortunately, for me, this recording is ruled out as a favourite by the unfortunate decision to perform the last movement with the alternative "jolly" ending with no option to select the original quiet ending. Here Rozhdestvensky remains supreme and only plays the original ending.
The very early stereo recordings come up remarkably well in these transfers.
Download from MEGA.
01. - 08. The Nutcracker. Suite, op.71a [22'55]
Sergei Prokofiev:
09. - 13. The Love for Three Oranges. Suite, op.33a [13'13]
14. - 17. Symphony No. 1 in D major, op.25 'Classical' [13'48]
18. - 21. Symphony No. 7 in C-sharp minor op.131 [29'55]
Philharmonia Orchestra conducted by Nicolai Malko
EMI Classics for Pleasure 3822292 (recorded February 1955; this CD release 2007)
(digital download; cover and inlay scans - no booklet)
Recording venue: Kingsway Hall, London
Recording engineer: Christopher Parker; Producer: Lawrance Collingwood and David Bicknell
Although this is in general a particularly fine collection of performances, by the Ukrainian conductor, combining two short-measure LPs, it is currently offered for download by Presto Music in the UK at the absurdly high price of GBP 17.24. Ridiculous when EMI cannot be bothered to provide a booklet with the download and given that the CD retailed for around GBP 5.00 including a booklet. Fortunately I purchased this download from a now defunct retailer at a much more sensible price. (Presto also list Nicolai Malko as "Lead vocals" in the Nutcracker Suite but, thank goodness not in the Prokofiev. I couldn't hear him singing along from the podium in the Tchaikovsky.)
Malko offers vibrant readings of all the works with light textures and keeps everything moving along nicely. He and the orchestra are particularly effective in Prokofiev's seventh symphony and for many years there was little real competition for this recording. Unfortunately, for me, this recording is ruled out as a favourite by the unfortunate decision to perform the last movement with the alternative "jolly" ending with no option to select the original quiet ending. Here Rozhdestvensky remains supreme and only plays the original ending.
The very early stereo recordings come up remarkably well in these transfers.
Download from MEGA.
