Review: A Fine, if Less Essential, Box of Early Krips

This 22-CD set contains all of Josef Krips' mono Decca recordings from the late 40s through the early 50s. Highlights include a powerfully unsentimental Brahms Fourth Symphony, and Mozart's Abduction from the Seraglio with an authentic Viennese cast (and orchestra). However, where Krips duplicated repertoire later on, his more recent stereo versions are pretty much uniformly superior.

[@bbailey7818]

Side note: My favorite collection of Mozart overtures (9 of them) ever since college days is Colin Davis and the RPO. On Seraphim stereo lp was one of the great bargains, but it would have been golden at full price. Smart, zestful performances, decent early stereo.

[@Tom-wf6ym]

There was also that delightful Seraphim album with Davis accompanying Anna Moffo (in gorgeous youthful voice) singing Mozart.

[@JohnWilmot1179]

The stereo box is obviously preferable and more important, but the original jackets of the records in this first box are marvelous.

[@vaughanjones209]

I have a Scribendum stereo box and a Decca box of Mozart 22-41... I'm not sure that there's much else in these boxes that is essential so I think that on this occasion I'll keep my hand in my pocket.

[@LyleFrancisDelp]

I’ve long liked his earlier Beethoven 4th with the RCO. If only the sound had a bit more transparency, it could be among the best mono recordings. It’s certainly much better than his Everest recording, which is dreadfully dull.

[@ceteradiem]

I would prefer a box of Cookie Krips