Hermann Scherchen - Beethoven: Symphonies 2 And 8 (1954) [2009]

Scherchen's vibrant Westminster recordings remastered

"the most exciting thing I have heard on a record for a long time" - Gramophone

This has been one of those happy occasions where almost everything seemed have gone well in the recording and LP manufacturing process to create an ideal disc from which to work. The orchestra - The Royal Philharmonic masquerading under a pseudonym for, presumeably, contractual reasons - plays brilliantly and is excellently recorded. The pressing was as close to mint as a record gets after it's had one or two plays, and was very well mastered to begin with.

Thus after some very minor restoration work I was able to work the XR magic on this recording - which served to lift a couple of decades or so off the perceived age of the recording - then add in some gentle Ambient Stereo processing and sit back and enjoy. It really is a delight from start to finish - in every respect.

Andrew Rose


Tracks:

BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 2
BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 8

Personnel:

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
conducted by Hermann Scherchen