AAA 100% Analogue This LP was Remastered using Pure Analogue Components Only from the Master Tapes through to the Cutting Head

Testament / Columbia  EMI - SAX 2329 - 180 Gram Virgin Vinyl

AAA 100%  Analogue - Mastered at Abbey Road

Limited Edition - Pressed at Pallas

Testament has revived these classic titles from the EMI catalog using only the original EMI master tapes,cut onto lacquer at EMI's Abbey Road Studios and mastered using full analog techniques throughout production.

LALO Symphonie espagnole, Op.21 TCHAIKOVSKY Sérénade mélancolique
Leonid Kogan Philharmonia Orchestra Kyril Kondrashin

Tchaikovsky/ Serenade Melancolique/ Philharmonic Orchestra/ Kondrashin
The EMI recording dates from 1960 but is of very good quality, brilliant but with plenty of body and a realistic portrayal of the soloist. Kogan's assurance and sensibility throughout are impressive, and the finale has a fine sparkle. But the music's Spanish quality - the French composer's vivid response to local color and atmosphere - eludes the performers here.

First Movement: Allegro non troppo
Second Movement: Scherzando (Allegro molto)
Third Movement: Intermezzo (Allegro non troppo)
Fourth Movement: Andante
Fifth Movement: Rondo (Allegro)
Tchaikovsky - Sérénade Mélancolique, Op. 26

Having tackled Kogan's other masterful performances we complete the cycle of UK Columbia Stereo releases with this stunning interpretation of Lalo's Symphony Espagnole.

Like many other French composers, also Edouard Lalo felt strongly attracted by the culture and the music of Spain. His most famous work, the "Symphonie espagnole" for violin and orchestra, is a testimony to this, and many consider it to be his most compelling composition at all. The combination of sound images, melodic imagination and the thrilling Spanish rhythms have made them a hit for lovers of classical music, and many famous violinists have also been captivated by their brilliant score for their instrument. Originally written for the great Belgian violinist Eugène Ysayé, surprisingly many Russian violin virtuosos have included the "Symphonie espagnole" in their repertoire. Including the great Russian violinist Leonid Kogan, who recorded two recordings of the work in the West.

In his second version, a stereo re-recording at EMI's Abbey Road Studios in London in February 1959, Kogan interprets the rare, revised five-movement version of the "Symphony", which contains an "intermezzo". His play is extraordinarily fine, with a stupendous technical virtuosity and a sonorous purity, and while he makes the cheerful, joyous side of the work fully sound, he also gains his deeper, more penetrating and subterranean side and elevates it far above his Hit status. The sensitive and lively direction of the Philharmonic Orchestra of Kyril Kondrashin at the time is a delight for himself, and Tchaikovsky's contemplative "Sérénade mélancolique" - also on this record - sets an effective contrasting counterpoint.

LALO Symphonie espagnole, Op.21
TCHAIKOVSKY Sérénade mélancolique

Leonid Kogan
Philharmonia Orchestra
Kyril Kondrashin

Tracklist
A    Symphonie Espagnole    
B1    Symphonie Espagnole    
B2    Serenade Melancolique

Testament has revived these classic titles from the EMI catalog using only the original EMI master tapes, cut onto lacquer at EMI's Abbey Road Studios and mastered using full analog techniques throughout production.