The Legendary Recordings Thread (Horrible Recordings)

[JoshLilly]

Any legendary recording from before ... well, I don't know what year, exactly, but probably the late 50s at the earliest. Anyway, anything from before a certain time, legendary or not, is horrible. It's not the performances, it's the sound quality. Yuck. Seriously. How people can fairly judge those things is beyond me. Like Maria Callas, for instance. I've never, ever figured out how she has fans (or detractors, for that matter), other than those who heard her in person. Every recording I've heard with Callas has such abysmal sound quality that I can't say whether I like her or not.

RIP, Fürtwangler, and thanks for all the hiss and static. Honestly, he may have been the greatest conductor who ever lived, but how can you tell?!

[Morigan]

Any legendary recording from before ... well, I don't know what year, exactly, but probably the late 50s at the earliest. Anyway, anything from before a certain time, legendary or not, is horrible. It's not the performances, it's the sound quality. Yuck. Seriously. How people can fairly judge those things is beyond me. Like Maria Callas, for instance. I've never, ever figured out how she has fans (or detractors, for that matter), other than those who heard her in person. Every recording I've heard with Callas has such abysmal sound quality that I can't say whether I like her or not.

RIP, Fürtwangler, and thanks for all the hiss and static. Honestly, he may have been the greatest conductor who ever lived, but how can you tell?!

My thoughts exactly. I can see how Casals Bach suites are really awesome, but I can't stand listening to them. I respect all the people praising Callas, Caballé, Tebaldi et al and I have a few recordings of theirs... but I honestly never listen to them :s. It's a shame they weren't born in times with a better recording technology.

You know, maybe 50 years from now people will be all "Oh, my grand father keeps babbling about this Cecilia Bartoli, but I can't stand listening to these artefacts!! It's not even holographic!! 

[m_gigena]

My thoughts exactly. I can see how Casals Bach suites are really awesome, but I can't stand listening to them.

I bet you'll never try his 1937 recording of the 64 minute Tovey concerto then.

[carlos]

I'm sure you very much enjoy Bronislav Hubermann ;
two short pieces he recorded for Berliner Label in
1899/900

[Morigan]

As much as I enjoy this MARVELOUS recording of Israel in Egypt

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israel_in_Egypt

[MISHUGINA]

I've heard Seiji Ozawa's Tchaik 5th and 1812 overture on Eloquence label which he conducts the Berliners. Bland, boring and 1812 was horrible. Luckily I managed to exchanged it where I bought the damn thing.

Stay far, far away from Leonard Bernstein conducting Stravinsky's Petrushka with Israel Philharmonic. Really sloppy orchestral playing, with really meh winds.

[Greta]

Sorry to say, because the recording is very interesting....but Holst conducting the LSO in The Planets from the mid 20s is pretty hairraising.

I mean, yeah, the sound is pretty atrocious, though not as bad as I was expecting, but the LSO of the 20s struggles with the piece, especially at Holst's lightning fast tempos. I don't know what he was thinking, there is just not room for the music to happen.

[Pempslider]

Gilels: Schumann Carnaval. I was surprised, given how well he plays the 1st Sonata.

[Millfields]

For me it must be this. All show and no substance!