Top 5 RCA Living Stereo Vinyl Classical Reissues

My top 5 RCA living stereo classical vinyl reissues from analogue productions
Here is their website where you can find these titles: store.acousticsounds.com/
System:
Rega P6 turntable
Rega elex-r amplifier
Paradigm premiere speakers
TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Intro
2:25 Also Sprach Zarathustra LSC-1806
4:53 Scheherazade LSC-2446
9:45 Faust Ballet Music/Carmen Suite LSC-2449
12:10 Witches Brew LSC-2225
14:56 The Royal Ballet Gala Performances LSC-6065
17:40 Conclusion

[@MattRichardsonX]

So good to see young folk doing classical. Subscribed!

[@MrThomas2587]

When I was young my band teacher asked what was your favorite music, I said, The Sleeping beauty & Swan lake. Everyone else said some rock/ pop music title! You are a rare bird- thank goodness you YOUNG guys are still out there.

[@mrcell61]

The instrument on dance of the sugarplum faries is called Celeste or Celesta. I read that it was introduced to the public via Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker. It does sound amazing doesn't it? I am happy that you have discovered the joy of wonderfully recorded and performed classical music. You have enriched your life immeasurably.

[@steveowens2505]

Audio pioneer Paul Klipsch had appearance at local stereo shop. He brought original stereo test record made by Bell Labs from 30s. CDs were just coming out and someone asked his opinion of it. He said “Digital? Well since my host sells some, I’ll keep my opinion to myself “

[@thomasalton1220]

Reiner was very much a major maestro for Living Stereo. But as a native New Englander with a certain Bostonian prejudice, I’m a fan of Charles Munch and the Boston Symphony Orchestra. He made many recordings for Living Stereo. His treatment of Debussy’s La Mer is a big favorite of mine.

[@thomasrandleman7057]

Thank you for your refreshing evaluations and candid feedback on recordings and specific labels. I appreciate your down to earth perspectives without audiophile attitude. I recently turned off a video because the presenter’s personality was so off putting. Would you consider feedback on Telarc and their recordings? I am in Cleveland, where they were located. Good luck and cheers! 🤗🎼

[@dab505279]

Excellent review. And I liked the summary you did at the end (a good teaching technique). Also, I subscribed to your channel. Much respect to you from Larry.

[@jodygoeler586]

I look forward to following your channel and learning from the community. Best of luck!

[@irasthei2014]

Thank you so much for this review. Just listened to Gounod: Faust and it blew my mind. Great review!!!

[@Bob-sw2zj]

KZbin recommended this channel. Throughly enjoyable and informative video. I just ordered 2 of your recommendations from Acoustic Sounds. I already had the other 3 and agree with your review.

[@matthewweflen]

The Bartok Concerto for Orchestra by Reiner/CSO may be his finest record for RCA Living Stereo. It's that or Scheherazade.

[@Roamany-Jones]

Nice to see a so young a collector getting into the hobby. I have the Original Decca pressed RCA’s Cat numbers start SB not LSC as they do with the US pressings. The best sounding records in my collection are the Original DECCA UK SXL 2000 series and Original white/gold label HMV ASD 3 digit series. Also checkout the Original Mercury Records from the US, fantastic sounding records. If you can’t get the Original Pressings then Analog Productions do a great job.👍😀

[@djjoeykmusic]

Great video Thank you 🙏🏾

[@hewie2u]

Great choices young gentleman. I acquired all of these titles when first reissued . As an additional choose the Reiner with CSO in the Strauss waltz set , or perhaps you may have that . Happy listening.

[@user-qx5uw2cg5u]

You’re my kind of classical music nerd😂😂a true kindred spirit.

[@joseluisherreralepron9987]

I have several releases of the Reiner "Scheherazade": a re-issue from the 90's (not sure of the label!), the CD and SACD and I did manage to find an original release. The later releases all sound more focused, a bit brighter, while the original is lusher...a trade off and I like them all. Love your videos, please keep them coming: your audience is growing!

[@mr.classicalmusic5607]

Great video.

[@MrThomas2587]

Thank you, Just discovered your channel and hope there will be more ! Thanks for the link, (so young so knowledgeable!! t.y.

[@1770Vinyl]

No problem at all! I am planning on making some more videos soon!

[@RichTeer]

I have all of those titles; excellent choices!

[@martinmelucci4383]

The vintage "shaded dog" of Scheherazade is fabulous. You may want to get one when you can and see if you prefer it to what you have.

[@jm_1214]

You have good taste

[@jeffshipman8153]

I have an original pressing of Witches' Brew from 1958. It was a thrift store find. I paid $2.00 for it and it's in perfect condition!!! Both record cover and the vinyl!!! I listen to it occasionally. Very good album!!!!

[@kguy2know]

gr8 job

[@litoboy5]

Cool

[@dr.x3152]

I got a vinyl Living Stereo : Concert for piano N° 5 Emperor. Arthur Rubinstein. That one is fantastic

[@AnthonyCandaele]

I just received Beethoven, Symphony No 6 in F Major Op 68, conducted by Bruno Walter on 45RPM. Sounds fantastic too

[@1770Vinyl]

definitely my best pastorale recording!

[@NotedArchived]

Thanks for this thoughtful run through this series. One of my faves, as well. Curious what other RCA Living Stereo reissues from AP you have found to be less-than-desirable (aside from 'The French Touch' as you mentioned). Many thanks.

[@1770Vinyl]

So many of them are so good, but I would also rate the Mahler Symphony 4 conducted by Reiner to be a notch lower than their other titles. Definitely better than the french touch though

[@NotedArchived]

@@1770Vinyl I have that Mahler but can't remember the sonics. Need to pull it out and compare with some others from the series like the Scheherezade or the Stokowski Rhapsodies. Great channel - keep up the good content. Cheers from LA.

[@johevideos]

New subscriber . Hope you will do new videos

[@russputin6294]

Excellent common-sense over-view for philistines like myself that don't really know their way around the classical field. I see you have a copy of "Kind of Blue" on your shelf; a similar review of your jazz titles would be much appreciated I'm sure. Just subscribed; take care and thanks once again my friend

[@Jake-go2lq]

Anyone know if SACDs are better to get in these editions than vinyl? I am just starting my collection.

[@user-qx5uw2cg5u]

How would you compare the Living Stereo reissues with the Telarc LP’s?

[@iraeich]

How could you leave off Pictures at an Exhibition with Reiner and the CSO? The CSO is in spectacular form on this one. Though I love Decca recordings and have many, I think the tip top for sound quality is the domestic RCA Living Stereo. There are so many great sounding recordings. Many on some underrated labels. Connoiseur Society, Vox, and Nonesuch to name a few.

[@markusberzborn6346]

Vox and Nonesuch had fantastic sounding titles and they cost next to nothing, I agree. Especially when the team Aubort/Nickrenz was responsible for the production, I have never heard a single bad recording they made.

[@nihilistlemon1995]

Because Ormandy is better

[@antoniboleslawowicz8095]

The Analogue Productions LPs are well worth the expense. An outstanding one you omitted in the Saint-Saens third symphony with Charles Munch and the Boston Symphony, far better sounding than any CD reincarnations. The Reiner version of Scheherazade is a fresh approach to a superbly crafted yet somewhat overplayed work. Reiner, in his early seventies when he made the recording over 60 years ago, had never conducted Scheherazade before. RCA wanted him to do it.

[@lscangus]

I have some of these AP reissues and the original shady dog copies. I found that the shady dog copies have less deep bass and also a brighter treble? Any one has similar experience?

[@lscangus]

@1770Vinyl So you think so too?

[@rickmilam413]

I enjoyed your presentation. I have three of those Shaded Dogs in early run pressings as well as reissues, which do vary. I agree with your opinion of the recording quality but don't overlook some of the truly great Decca/Londons as well as other very fine recordings, like the early Mercutys.

[@1770Vinyl]

just made a video on Speakers Corner, which I think do a great job of reissuing Decca and Mercury! Thanks for watching!

[@rickmilam413]

@@1770Vinyl Yeah, Speakers Corner is one of my favorite reissue labels.

[@richgrzesiak6856]

I would politely suggest that the 1954 recording of ALSO SPRACH ZARATHUSTRA by Reiner and the CSO is THE one to get -- NOT the later one ...

[@user-qx5uw2cg5u]

I read somewhere that the first Living Stereo recording was made in 1954 on the master tapes but wasn’t released in stereo until 1958 when playback units were available.

[@arkerstater8856]

Yeah Ludwig all the way

[@detectivehome3318]

Do you watch David Hurwitz

[@1770Vinyl]

occasionally yes. Only when I want to learn more about certain pieces though, as he doesn't discuss sound quality

[@shantihealer]

Dave Hurwitz should watch him! DH could also do his own talk on the Living Stereo series or another illustrious label of past times. Really great idea for a classical music talk.

[@stanleycostello718]

I've got Van Cliburn/Kondrashin Tchaikovsky piano concerto #1. Even though the cover looks like the original, it's Dynaflex. The label looks just like it's printed on a not-so-good machine. It sounds absolutely terrible. Water in my ears. Could you do a review of Mercury's Living Presence albums? I'm sure that your subscribers would be most interested. By the way, the twinkling in The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies is a celesta, new to Russia at the time. Mr. T. wanted to be the first displaying that instrument.

[@christopherjohnson2422]

Stanley: The Van Cliburn Tchaikovsky #1 isn’t really representative of the high quality of the early Living Stereo releases. Moreover, you’ve got a circa 1970 pressing, which probably does not sound as good as a 1958 Shaded Dog. Cliburn made several Living Stereo discs in Chicago with Reiner and the conductor Walter Hendl, and those have better sonics.

[@stanleycostello718]

I know that you are right. Sometimes Dynaflex sounds just fine. With the Cliburn re-issue it sounds pretty bad. I've given up trying to get a shaded dog. My current favorite is Ornandy and the Philadelphia Orchestra with Eugene Istomin. I weep at the beauty of the Philadelphia Strings, sometimes.

[@boscodooley8561]

Next time is you have in issue with an AP record call them and they will replace it pretty much no questions asked. If you bought it from AS that is.

[@1770Vinyl]

unfortunately, I live in Canada so I take the risk with ordering over AS and potentially getting a bad record. International sales require me to pay for shipping, which makes it unfeasible.

[@boscodooley8561]

@@1770Vinyl Bummer. They have taken care of me several times. I had gotten 2 replacements for the HQR Kind of Blue as well as others.

[@ericculver1718]

Not "Sche he re zaday." Just "Sche he re zad." The final e is silent.

[@geraldmartin7703]

"Living Stereo" was nothing but an advertising slogan RCA slapped arbitrarily on record jackets. Otherwise it wouldn't have been emblazoned on album jackets that included Decca "ffrr" classical recordings, "Living Strings" easy listening albums, and the worst sounding album of Sousa marches I have ever encountered: roaring tape hiss, shrieky highs and muddy midrange. (Too bad-- it's my favorite march album).

[@geraldmartin7703]

Edit: Not claiming that a particular "Living Stereo" recording won't sound great; just that the slogan on a record jacket is no guarantee of how the recording sounds or how it was recorded.

[@Roamany-Jones]

By the way it’s pronounced Shar hara zard 👍🥴

[@detectivehome3318]

No one cares

[@YKsfo]

I'm afraid you are wrong here. Since it's a piece by Russian composer it supposed to be pronounced the way he pronounced it: sheherizad

[@ericculver1718]

Sche heh reh zod