Ernest Ansermet - The Royal Ballet Gala Performances

 (2 LP + Book)



Ernest Ansermet - The Royal Ballet Gala Performances

Label:

Analogue Productions (RCA/DECCA Living Stereo)

Genre:

Classical

Product No.:
AAPC 6065
UPC: 753088606519
Availability:
In Stock
Category:

180 Gram Vinyl Record


No. of Discs: 2

180 Gram LP  
(Not Eligible for Additional Discount)

$80.00

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Also available on:
SACD Box Set
2 SACDs + Booklet & outer slipcase

Vinyl Box Sets
45 RPM 180 Gram 5 LP Box Set





Double LP plus gatefold jacket with an integrated multi-page book inside

Mastered by Bernie Grundman from the original analog tape

180-gram double LP plated and pressed at Quality Record Pressings

"Analogue Productions' Classic Records buyout brought with it metal parts for many albums, cut by Bernie Grundman, including for this record. ... AP chose to produce a new stamper using the "mother" cut from the original master tape by Bernie Grundman. ... I compared this 33 1/3 reissue to the Classic 33 1/3 reissue and to an original pressing that I'm lucky to own. ... The QRP pressing was definitely more open, extended and focused on top and transients were sharper though in a completely natural way. The Classic sounded somewhat softer and veiled. If you've got both, you'll hear it in the percussive transients first and then consistently throughout. ... If this is one of your "go to" sonic spectaculars and you have other versions, you ought to consider adding this one, though you'll have to wait for the re-re-press. Both the sound, including dead quiet vinyl, as well as the packaging are first-rate." — Music = 11/11; Sound = 11/11 - Michael Fremer, AnalogPlanet.com. To read Fremer's full review, click here.

In the hearts of thousands, No. 1 on the Top RCA list. While the bulk of Ansermet's recordings were made with L'Orchestre de la Susise Romande, there were a few with the Paris Conservatoire Orchestra and the very occasional foray into recordings with London orchestras, one of these being with the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, in 1959.

Analogue Productions  is proud and excited to be bringing back such a classic. Not just for the music, which is superb, but also for the detailed packaging, which in this case takes the form of a 22-page lavishly illustrated book that's integrated into the tip-on gatefold jacket. If you're new to ballet, this pictorial history will introduce you to some of its most famous productions — old favorites such as The Nutcracker, Swan Lake and The Sleeping Beauty, for example — but also less familiar tales such as Carnaval, Les Sylphides and Coppélia. You'll also make the aquaintance of famous ballerinas of the Royal company, such as Margot Fonteyn, Nadia Nerina and Beryl Grey. as well as choreographers such as Jules Perrot and male dancers Alexis Rassine and Michael Somes.

Musically you can't get better than the 180-gram dead-silent platters pressed by Quality Record Pressings, makers of the world's finest-sounding LPs. Of course the best vinyl reflects the best mastering, and that's accomplished here by Bernie Grundman working from the original analog tape. Stoughton Printing expertly handled the intricate gatefold tip-on package.

Audiophilia Online Magazine wrote: "This is the stuff of which dreams are made. The Royal Ballet Gala is one of the finest RCAs recorded in London's Kingsway Hall. The chunks of great ballet music are well served by orchestra, conductor and engineer. Performances are executed to a very high standard - the Royal Opera House Orchestra, both then and now, rank as one of the finest of opera orchestras.

"Conductor Ansermet keeps the pace moving, giving the listener the impression of a dance event rather than a dramatic concert hall reading. With the exception of some of the Tchaikovsky scenes, the music is light and remains so under Ansermet's gentle touch. Each ballet is given full attention by the players, something not always attained at Covent Garden during long ballet nights! The threat of eternity does have it's merits. The recorded sound is simply amazing! Lustrous is one word that comes to mind, accurate is another.

"Tonally, Messrs. Williamson and Wilkinson have used their considerable talents to capture the orchestra superbly. Woodwind and strings glow and resonate, transporting this listener to a time when simpler recording was better. Brass ring out thrillingly and percussion effects are very musical. Be it a bang, swish, rattle, crack or snap, each percussionist is situated perfectly within the beautiful Kingsway soundstage. Even the difficult-to-record sound of the celeste is captured in it's purely mechanical form. It's delicate sound is heard to great effect during the Nutcracker - originating stage left, the sound decays across the stage of Kingsway with sparkling beauty. Wonderful."

Producer: Michael Williamson
Engineer Kenneth Wilkinson



LP1
1. Nutcracker Suite - March
2. Nutcracker Suite - Dance Of The Sugar Plum Fairy
3. Nutcracker Suite - Arabian Dance
4. Nutcracker Suite - Chinese Dance
5. Nutcracker Suite - Dance Of The Toy Flutes
6. Nutcracker Suite - Waltz Of The Flowers
7. La Boutique Fantasque - Tarantella
8. La Boutique Fantasque - Andante Mosso
9. La Boutique Fantasque - Can-Can
10. Coppelia - Introduction (Allegro Marcato) And Mazurka - Act 1
11. Coppelia - Introduction (Andante ) And Waltz - Act 1
12. Coppelia - Czardas - Act 1
13. Coppelia - Valse De La Poupee - Act 2
14. Giselle - Introduction And Waltz - Act 1
15. Giselle - Pas De Deux And Variation - Act 2

LP2
1. Swan Lake - Dance Of The Little Swans (Pas De Quatre) - Act 2
2. Swan Lake - Pas De Deux - Act 2
3. Swan Lake - Waltz - Act 2
4. Carnaval - Pierror
5. Carnaval - Reconnaissance
6. Carnaval - Aveu
7. Carnaval - Pantalon Et Columbine
8. Sleeping Beauty - Introduction - The Lilac Fairy - Prologue
9. Sleeping Beauty - Rose Adagio - Pase D'Action - Act 1
10. Sleeping Beauty - Waltz - Act 1
11. Les Sylphides - Overture: Prelude In A Major, Opus 28, No. 7
12. Les Sylphides - Mazurka In C Major, Opus 67, No. 3
13. Les Sylphides - Grande Valse Brillante In E Flat Major, Opus 18

Customer Reviews (4.94 Stars) 16 person(s) rated this product.

Incredible recording

posted on 12/23/2023
5 Stars
Purchased this over a year ago. I finally opened it and am listening. Had the Classic record of this which can’t compare to this pressing. The strings and bass are so much more pronounced. The vinyl is dead quiet! Highly recommend this LP. I may eventually pick up the 45 rpm box for comparison.


Wow!

posted on 09/26/2022
5 Stars
Reviewer: Dylan
I've never thought it could sound this good. It's a jaw dropping event when I heard it. Highly recommended to those who are still thinking twice on buying it. I was that until I really decided on purchasing it.


Absolutely Astonishing

posted on 06/20/2022
5 Stars
Reviewer: Steve
This is truly one of AP’s finest, and I have a bunch. This should be in any music fan’s collection.


Phenomenal

posted on 01/04/2022
5 Stars
Reviewer: Wow
If you are even considering getting this, just get it. Amazing sound and performance.


Wonderful

posted on 09/06/2019
5 Stars
Reviewer: Mike
With regards to the year it was recorded SQ is outstanding! Music is just straight to the heart!


Beautiful recording, but flaw in the vinyl.

posted on 01/02/2019
4 Stars
Reviewer: Sidney
This recording is in my top ten as far material and sonics go. It's like a live performance. However a word of caution. For those purchasing a vinyl set or any vinyl for that matter, make sure to inspect and play all sides of every record. I played the first three sides, but didn't get around to playing the fourth side until after the return window. Much to my disappointment there was an obvious manufacturing flaw which made part of the record unplayable. My bad.An expensive lesson to learn. I downgraded my review due to this issue.


Great...

posted on 02/28/2017
5 Stars
Reviewer: Denis
Great sound, nice packaging, beautiful music! Couldn't ask for more;)


Beautiful Sound and Packaging

posted on 02/21/2017
5 Stars
It's a worthy addition in anyone's collection. It's a must have if you're interested in Classical and exploring the genre. AP needs to release this one on 45 rpm. I have the Classic Records 45 rpm SVP-II Clarity Vinyl Collection. The Clarity version is a little better sounding than this 2 LP set, the instruments are a slightly more discernible and the dynamics a little bigger on 45 rpm. Then again flipping all those LPs kind of stinks. I suspect a 45 rpm pressing on AP will likely slap down Classic. Keep'em coming Chad!


An essential for classical enthusiasts

posted on 02/14/2017
5 Stars
Reviewer: Eric
This new AP version is superb. The pressings are centered, flat, and totally quiet with nary a tic, as good as I've encountered anywhere. The cardboard covers are thick, shiny and beautifully reproduced. The picture of the ballet dancers on the cover is somewhat blurred but so is the Classic version. The impressive multi-page booklet is beautifully done with the pages slightly glossier than the Classic version.

The sound, as has been often mentioned, is wonderful with sweet strings and a solid low end, a wide and deep soundstage. Everything just sounds right here. One of RCA's best, recorded in England at Kingsway Hall by Kenneth Wilkinson in 1959.

The Classic versions (I have the 180 gram ) are also good pressings, but these are definitely quieter. If you already have the Classic, you might not need another; the sound is pretty much equivalent. Bernie Grundman did them both. I don't know if he did another remaster for this version.


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