Gustav Holst:
01. - 07. The Planets. Suite, op.32 [49'04]
08. Ballet Music from The Perfect Fool, op.39 [10'57]
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir conducted by Charles Mackerras
Virgin Virgo 7596452 (VJ7914572) - (recorded June 1988; this CD release 1991)
(flac and scans)
Recording venue: The Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool
Recording engineer: Mike 'Mr Bear' Clements; Producer: Andrew Keener
Here's a stunning recording of a familiar modern classic. It was given a strangely sniffy review by Gramophone when first released and then totally ignored in the UK. I was recently reawakened to it by an enthusiastic recommendation by an American critic.
I suppose there are few really bad recordings of The Planets (although Karajan's later Berlin recording comes close) but my list of really great recordings by Boult (LPO), Mehta (LAPO) and Handley (RPO) is now extended to include this by Mackerras and the Liverpool orchestra.
For me, any recording that doesn't get the timpani rhythm right in the second half of the march of Uranus - the Magician is out of the running straight away and here the timpanist gets it perfectly. In so many recordings, the timps. are just a rumble. And the organ glissando is stunning. Both are abetted by a spectacular recording with powerful, deep bass. Mars, the Bringer of War is very fleet with a high-powered war machine. The Perfect Fool ballet music is equally well served by conductor, orchestra and recording engineer.
01. - 07. The Planets. Suite, op.32 [49'04]
08. Ballet Music from The Perfect Fool, op.39 [10'57]
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir conducted by Charles Mackerras
Virgin Virgo 7596452 (VJ7914572) - (recorded June 1988; this CD release 1991)
(flac and scans)
Recording venue: The Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool
Recording engineer: Mike 'Mr Bear' Clements; Producer: Andrew Keener
Here's a stunning recording of a familiar modern classic. It was given a strangely sniffy review by Gramophone when first released and then totally ignored in the UK. I was recently reawakened to it by an enthusiastic recommendation by an American critic.
I suppose there are few really bad recordings of The Planets (although Karajan's later Berlin recording comes close) but my list of really great recordings by Boult (LPO), Mehta (LAPO) and Handley (RPO) is now extended to include this by Mackerras and the Liverpool orchestra.
For me, any recording that doesn't get the timpani rhythm right in the second half of the march of Uranus - the Magician is out of the running straight away and here the timpanist gets it perfectly. In so many recordings, the timps. are just a rumble. And the organ glissando is stunning. Both are abetted by a spectacular recording with powerful, deep bass. Mars, the Bringer of War is very fleet with a high-powered war machine. The Perfect Fool ballet music is equally well served by conductor, orchestra and recording engineer.
