EMI issues of Callas recordings

[samtrb]

Getting started with operas (finally)

i'd like to know what are the differences between issues of 1997 and 2003 of Callas recordings on EMI, in terms of notes included, libretto, bearing in mind that the latter is cheaper. I put both covers of Tosca as an example, but almost all her operas were re-released in 2003 for cheaper.

[bricon]

The later released discs (of Tosca) are released on EMI Classics' Historical label. All of the recordings on that label are over 50 years old; (performance) copyright (in the UK) expires after 50 years and anyone can freely release recordings sourced from 50+ year old masters. As many of EMI's competitors (including budget labels like Naxos) were going to release the Callas back catalogue (as well as other famous recordings) once the recordings became free of copyright, EMI chose to re-release many of those famous recordings on their Historical label at budget price. Callas is (still) an extremely important artist for EMI Classics – her back catalogue still represents about 10% of that label's annual sales!

I don't know whether the Historical series is delivered with libretti or extensive cover notes – EMI does freely provide libretti (where applicable) by download from their website.

I would imagine that the recording quality of the EMI Historical series is at least as good as previous issues – in the case of the Callas (studio) recordings that's pretty good to excellent, even for the early mono recordings.

[PerfectWagnerite]

Not sure about remastering, but the 2nd picture has no text and translations whereas the first one does.

[Hector]

Not sure about remastering, but the 2nd picture has no text and translations whereas the first one does.

That's it exactly.

An attempt by EMI to short-circuit the end of copyright in the UK by 'upstarts' such as Naxos. Avoid.

[Tsaraslondon]

I seem to remember that when the first Callas Norma was reissued on both Naxos and in EMI's Historical Series, they were discussed in an edition of BBC Radio 3's CD Review. The EMI issues had been (yet again) remastered from the original master tapes, whereas the Naxos versions had been remastered from LP pressings, Naxos, of course, not having access to the Masters. The sound on the EMI was rather more immediate, but could have a tendency to harshness, whereas the Naxos were warmer, but with less detail, particularly from the orchestra - very much a case of swings and roundabouts. Excerpts were played from both releases, and, to be honest, I didn't find that much difference, though I was listening through my rather inadequate PC speakers. Neither the Naxos or the EMI come with librettos, though the reviewer found the notes on the Naxos fuller and more interesting than the puff given with the EMI set.

The black box Callas Editions all come with full notes, texts and translations.

[Anne]

Seems like today I frequently see Ward Marston's name on Naxos' CD's as the one who remastered the CD.  Could he have worked on the ones you saw/heard?  He has an excellent reputation for doing things like this.  I believe I read that he is blind.  I have a sister who is blind.  Her hearing is so acute!  Blindness probably gives Marston the edge in his work.

[bhodges]

Seems like today I frequently see Ward Marston's name on Naxos' CD's as the one who remastered the CD.  Could he have worked one the ones you saw/heard?  He has an excellent reputation for doing things like this.  I believe I read that he is blind.  I have a sister who is blind.  Her hearing is so acute!  Blindness probably give Marston the edge in his work.

You are correct, Anne: Marston is blind.  And get this, in addition to his work with recordings, he also plays the piano, in his own group, The Ward Marston Orchestra.  I have heard him a number of times and he is quite marvelous.

--Bruce

[Anne]

Thank you for that info!  I never knew that.

[Hector]

It occurs to me that missing librettos may be available for download from the EMI website.

Check before purchasing.

[Siedler]

There's one more release from that Tosca recording, EMI's Greatest Recordings of the Century. I think it includes the libretto:

[Tsaraslondon]

There's one more release from that Tosca recording, EMI's Greatest Recordings of the Century. I think it includes the libretto:

It does. Like all issues in EMI's Great Recordings of the Century series, presentation is exemplary.

[PerfectWagnerite]

I think in general the cover art for the GROC series is not as good as the original. Try this, which one do you think look better?




or this?

[Tsaraslondon]

I think in general the cover art for the GROC series is not as good as the original. Try this, which one do you think look better?




or this?

But the originals were full price. As a mid price series, the EMI GROC series is exemplary. DGs Originals is also excellent. Would that all mid price reissues were of a similar high standard.

[jlaurson]

Fresh from Forbes:



JUN 12, 2015
Simply The Perfect Box Set: "Maria Callas Remastered"

...Then again, for every trend there is a counter-trend. One could look at the modest but steady rise of vinyl.
Silly, if you look at it from a high-fidelity point of view, but perfectly understandable if you think of music as a
sensual experience, rather than a commodity. Listening to vinyl will never, ever get you a better sound quality
than digital reproduction can (but need not necessarily) produce. But it gives you an experience that might
be likened to the ceremony involved in opening a good bottle of wine, decanting it, and enjoying it in a huge,
mouth-blown glass. Or think of vinyl as the magisterially stuffed pipe over the CD or mp3's thoughtlessly
puffed cigarette....