DECCA STEREO SXL 6854
-An Arthur Salvatore AS List Audiophile Recording-

TCHAIKOVSKY
VIOLIN CONCERTO
VALSE-SCHERZO

BORIS BELKIN
THE NEW PHILHARMONIA ORCHESTRA
VLADIMIR ASHKENAZY

*MADE IN ENGLAND*
*EARLY 2W/2W HARRY FISHER AUDIOPHILE PRESSING*
*DECCA BLUE PANEL POLYLINED INNER SLEEVE
*LAMINATED Printed by Robert Stace FLATBACK SLEEVE*
*A KENNETH WILKINSON RECORDING IN LONDON'S LEGENDARY KINGSWAY HALL, 1977*

Here's what AS thought:

TCHAIKOVSKY-VIOLIN CONCERTO-BELKIN-DECCA SXL 6854/LONDON CS 7076

This LP was top rated by the Penguin Record Guide in 1980, for the performance. It also has outstanding sonics. In fact, this may be the finest sounding Violin Concerto I've ever heard.

It is very transparent, detailed, natural and focused. It also has the "alive" quality. The natural complexity of the violin is captured in a manner I don't think I've heard before in a concerto recording. This record is not in any demand at present. I have only heard the Late English pressing. I don't know if there was a Dutch pressing.

COMPARISONS: There are other competitive versions of this masterpiece. The first alternative is the famous Heifetz version (LSC-2129), that was recently reissued by Classic Records. The Heifetz is very good, with excellent body, but it is no match, sonically, with the Belkin/Decca, which is far more immediate, dynamic and detailed. The Heifitz is also missing the "alive" quality. I will make further comparisons at a later date.

SLEEVE: EX+
RECORD: NM






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