Original Japan MFSL Audiophile LP! Georg Solti conducts the London Symphony Orchestra in Romantic Russia; pieces by Glinka, Borodin & Mussorgsky. With inserts!
Record is NM! Cover is EX+!

Romantic Russia – Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab MFSL 1-517 Featuring Georg Solti and the London Symphony Orchestra

The Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab (MFSL) 1-517 Japanese pressing, Romantic Russia, features Georg Solti conducting the London Symphony Orchestra in a selection of celebrated works by Russian composers Mikhail Glinka, Modest Mussorgsky, and Alexander Borodin. This album includes thrilling performances of Russlan and Ludmilla Overture, Khovanshchina Prelude, Night on the Bare Mountain, and the Polovtsian Dances from Prince Igor, capturing the intensity, drama, and evocative themes of Russian Romantic music. This Near Mint (NM) pressing is highly valued among audiophiles and collectors for its exceptional sound clarity and Solti’s powerful interpretation.

About Georg Solti and the London Symphony Orchestra

Georg Solti (1912–1997) was a celebrated conductor known for his energetic and passionate interpretations, particularly in the Romantic repertoire. His partnership with the London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) brings out the vibrant color, rhythmic drive, and emotional depth characteristic of Russian Romantic music. The LSO, one of the most esteemed orchestras in the world, responds to Solti’s direction with precision and expressiveness, making this recording a powerful presentation of Russian orchestral music.

Featured Works and Composers on This Recording

This collection includes orchestral selections from three Russian Romantic composers, showcasing the power, lyricism, and folkloric elements that define this genre.

Glinka: Russlan and Ludmilla Overture
The overture to Russlan and Ludmilla, a lively and technically demanding piece, is often performed independently for its exhilarating pace and sparkling orchestration. Known as a precursor to Russian Romanticism, Glinka captures the excitement and spirit of Russian folklore in this piece. Under Solti’s baton, the LSO delivers an energetic and precisely articulated performance, highlighting the overture’s rhythmic drive and brightness.

Mussorgsky: Khovanshchina Prelude ("Dawn over the Moscow River")
This atmospheric prelude from Khovanshchina sets the scene for Mussorgsky’s opera, depicting the dawn over Moscow’s riverbanks with a serene, mystical quality. Solti’s interpretation emphasizes the subtle beauty and lyricism in Mussorgsky’s composition, allowing the LSO’s woodwinds and strings to create a delicate, introspective soundscape.

Mussorgsky: Night on the Bare Mountain
One of Mussorgsky’s most famous compositions, Night on the Bare Mountain is a vivid and dramatic portrayal of a witches' sabbath. Solti’s reading captures the work’s dark energy and tension, building to a powerful climax before resolving into a quiet, eerie ending. The LSO’s brass and percussion sections bring an intense and thrilling presence to this piece, capturing the supernatural and chaotic atmosphere Mussorgsky intended.

Borodin: Polovtsian Dances from Prince Igor
Known for its lush melodies and rhythmic intensity, Borodin’s Polovtsian Dances from Prince Igor is a celebrated orchestral showcase. The piece combines dance-like rhythms with sweeping, lyrical melodies that evoke the exoticism and passion of Russian folk themes. Solti’s interpretation highlights both the rhythmic vitality and the haunting beauty of the themes, with the LSO delivering a powerful and cohesive performance that captures the spirit of Borodin’s music.

The LP and Its Significance

Label and Pressing: Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab (MFSL) is known for its high-quality audiophile pressings, and this Japanese release of MFSL 1-517 showcases their commitment to clarity and detail. The pressing brings out the full dynamic range of Solti’s interpretation, with a rich and immersive sound that captures the power and subtlety of the LSO’s performance.

Sound Quality: The Mobile Fidelity pressing is prized for its exceptional clarity and dynamic range, bringing out the lush textures and dramatic contrasts in each piece. The recording allows listeners to experience the subtleties of Glinka’s fast-paced overture, the serene beauty of Mussorgsky’s prelude, and the intensity of Night on the Bare Mountain. The tonal balance and detail make this album a favorite among audiophiles, fully showcasing the emotional and technical demands of Russian Romantic music.

Condition: This Near Mint (NM) copy preserves the pristine audio quality of the original pressing, with minimal signs of wear or handling. Collectors highly value NM copies for delivering an optimal listening experience, free from surface noise or imperfections.

Solti’s Interpretation

Dynamic Energy and Precision: Solti’s interpretation emphasizes the rhythmic drive and dynamic contrasts in each piece, capturing the unique character of Russian Romantic music. His energetic approach to the Russlan and Ludmilla Overture is both lively and precise, while his handling of Night on the Bare Mountain builds tension and captures the eerie atmosphere effectively.

Atmospheric Sensitivity in the Khovanshchina Prelude: Solti’s sensitivity to the mood and pacing of the Khovanshchina Prelude allows the LSO to create a beautifully layered and atmospheric sound, evoking the dawn over Moscow with warmth and subtlety.

Expressive Nuance in the Polovtsian Dances: The Polovtsian Dances showcase Solti’s ability to bring out the full range of orchestral color and texture, with the LSO delivering both energetic rhythms and lyrical lines. The music’s exotic and passionate themes are beautifully highlighted, adding depth to Borodin’s composition.

Why This Recording is Special

Audiophile Sound Quality: Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab’s Japanese pressing is known for its audiophile-grade sound quality, capturing the full dynamic range and tonal richness of the LSO’s performance. The recording is highly immersive, bringing out the drama and detail in Solti’s interpretation of Russian Romantic music.

Definitive Interpretation: Solti’s performance with the London Symphony Orchestra is regarded as one of the definitive interpretations of these Romantic Russian pieces. His attention to detail and ability to balance intensity with musical nuance make this album a benchmark for works by Glinka, Mussorgsky, and Borodin.

Collector’s Appeal: As an original Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab Japanese pressing in Near Mint condition, this LP is highly collectible. Its rarity, combined with the outstanding sound quality and Solti’s compelling performance, makes it a valuable addition to any classical or audiophile vinyl collection.

Conclusion

The Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab MFSL 1-517 Japanese pressing of Romantic Russia, featuring Georg Solti and the London Symphony Orchestra, is a landmark recording of Russian Romantic orchestral music. Solti’s dynamic interpretation, paired with Mobile Fidelity’s superior sound quality, makes this album a prized possession for collectors and classical music lovers alike. Its combination of musical excellence, technical innovation, and collectible rarity ensures that this recording remains highly sought after in the world of audiophile vinyl.

Record Grading I use the following grades: M/M- Only for still sealed or certain unplayed records NM    Should look very close to unplayed EX+   With very few signs of use EX     Some light signs of use but nothing that should affect the    listening experience VG+   A really nice LP with some signs of use and the can be the odd light click, but nothing major at all VG    There are clear signs of use and there can be some recurring clicks and crackles, but not continously.  G       There are many marks and lines and you should expect that the listening experience will be hampered. But still playable. + and - are used for nuances. P/F    Very rarely used. Only very rare records will be listed in this condition
Shipping If you win more than one of my auctions, I will of course pack it together and you will get the actual shipping cost from Sweden to the world.
Worldwide shipping rates (note that boxes counts as the number of records in the box): 1-2 LPs €18 3-5 Lps €25 6-8 Lps €30 7+ Lps €40
I have many listings, most from one collection in great condition. Most are in top condition. Decca SXL and LXT, Columbia SAX and 33CX, HMV His Master's Voice ASD and ALP, Deutsche Grammophon DGG, Philips Hi-Fi Hifi, Westminster, Proprius, MFSL Mobile Fidelity, and many more.