Reiner/CSO: R. Strauss Ein Heldenleben - ALP 1209, beautiful cover art, lovely copy

Jacket EX / LP EX

This wonderful LP – truly beautiful cover art in terms of the coloring and typesetting – from His Master's Voice (ALP 1209, English EMI pressing, red/gold label, original inner sleeve included, mono) features Fritz Reiner's brilliant account of Richard Strauss' Ein Heldenleben, recorded in the rich acoustics of Orchestra Hall, Chicago on 6 March 1954 with the mighty Chicago Symphony Orchestra on resplendent form.

With Karajan and Kempe, Reiner was among the undisputed masters of Strauss' music during the last century and this amazing performance explains why – a gramophone classic. Incidentally, the solo violinist is CSO Concermaster John Weicher and the horn soloist CSO Principal Philip Farkas. The sound is superb, warm and spacious, well capturing the sound of both the orchestra and the hall.