Ormandy: Bartok Concerto for Orchestra (r. 1979) - German RCA RL 13421 (DDD)

Jacket EX / Vinyl NM (German pressing - Red Seal label)

(some writing and light discoloration to rear panel; else fine)

This outstanding LP from German RCA (RL 13421, German pressing, Red Seal 'DIGITAL' label, DDD stereo, original inner sleeve included) features Eugene Ormandy and the Philadelphia Orchestra's high-octane rendition of Bartok's Concerto for Orchestra, a brilliant, powerhouse of a performance that was among the conductor's last, and finest, recordings.

The exact track list is as follows:

Wrote the esteemed critic Richard A. Kaplan in his May 2010 review for Fanfare:

"The Concerto for Orchestra was an Ormandy specialty. He was Hungarian-born, of course, and had long been an advocate for Bartók’s music, for example, conducting the world premiere of the Third Piano Concerto with soloist György Sándor, and its first recording, both in 1946. This is his third and last recording of the Concerto for Orchestra, in fine early digital (1979) sound. It was also the final work on the last concert he ever conducted, in January 1984. While overall it is a notch less energetic than the 1963 version on Sony, it is expansive, assured, and effortless-sounding. The solo winds are superb, and the brass chorale in the 'Game of Pairs' second movement is gorgeous."

Taped in the glowing acoustics of Scottish Rite Cathedral, Philadelphia on 16 April 1979, the sound is of demonstration quality (producer: Jay David Saks). The reverse side of the jacket carries interesting liner notes by producers Jay David Saks (“Ormandy, Bartok and a Computer”) and John Pfeiffer (“Quality by the Numbers”). This recording was engineered by Paul Goodman. The insert includes eloquent liner notes on the music by Harvey E. Philips, printed in English only.