Orchestra: Covent Garden
Conductor: Ernest Ansermet
Audio CD
Number of Discs: 2
Format: DSD (iso)
Label: RCA Victor
Size: 7.87 GB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes
CD 01
Tchaikovsky – The Nutcracker, Op.71
01. March
02. Dance Of The Sugar Plum Fairy
03. Arabian Dance
04. Chinese Dance
05. Dance Of The Toy Flutes
06. Waltz Of The Flowers
Rossini / Respighi – La Boutique Fantasque
07. Tarantella
08. Andante Mosso
09. Can-Can
Delibes – Coppélia
10. Introduction (Allegro Marcato) And Mazurka – Act 1
11. Introduction (Andante ) And Waltz – Act 1
12. Czardas – Act 1
13. Valse De La Poupee – Act 2
Adam – Giselle
14. Introduction And Waltz – Act 1
15. Pas De Deux And Variation – Act 2
16-30. Mono
CD 02
Tchaikovsky – Swan Lake, Op. 20
01. Scene
02. Dance Of The Little Swans (Pas De Quatre) – Act 2
03. Scene – Pas De Deux
04. Waltz
Schumann – Carnaval, Op.9 (orch. Glazunov, Rimsky-Korsakov)
05. Pierror
06. Reconnaissance
07. Aveu
08. Pantalon Et Columbine
Tchaikovsky – The Sleeping Beauty, Op. 66
09. Introduction – The Lilac Fairy
10. Rose Adagio – Pase D’Action – Act 1
11. Waltz – Act 1
Chopin – Les Sylphides (orch. Douglas)
12. Overture: Prelude In A Major, Opus 28, No. 7
13. Mazurka In C Major, Opus 67, No. 3
14. Grande Valse Brillante In E Flat Major, Opus 18
15-28 Mono
ansermet_royal_ballet_gala_performances_sacd02.rar – 4.1 GB
SACD layer contains both the stereo mix (mastered by Bernie Grundman), mono mix (mastered by Willem Makkee)
CD layer only contains the stereo mix
In the hearts of thousands, No. 1 on the Top RCA list. While the bulk of famed conductor Ernest 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.
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 its 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 its purely mechanical form. Its 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.”
A ‘Classic Sound UK Ltd.,’ DSD master via Pyramix & Studer A80 2 track (see art). SACD layer contains both the 2ch mix (mastered by Bernie Grundman), & mono mix (mastered by Willem Makkee).
In the hearts of thousands, No. 1 on the Top RCA list. While the bulk of famed conductor Ernest Ansermet’s recordings were made with L’Orchestre de la Susise Romande, there were a few with the Paris Conservatoire Orchestra & the very occasional foray into recordings with London orchestras, 1 of these being with the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, in 1959.
Audiophilia Online Magazine wrote: “This is the stuff of which dreams are made. The Royal Ballet Gala is 1 of the finest RCAs recorded in London’s Kingsway Hall. The chunks of great ballet music are well served by orchestra, conductor & engineer. Performances are executed to a very high standard – the Royal Opera House Orchestra, both then & now, rank as 1 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 & 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 its merits. The recorded sound is simply amazing! Lustrous is 1 word that comes to mind, accurate is another.
Tonally, Messrs. Williamson & Wilkinson have used their considerable talents to capture the orchestra superbly. Woodwind & strings glow & resonate, transporting this listener to a time when simpler recording was better. Brass ring out thrillingly & 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 its purely mechanical form. Its 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.”