USSR Ministry of Defence Band on tip-top form

Showpieces for Symphonic Band
USSR Ministry of Defence Band, cond. as listed below

HMV ASD 3107

Released c. 1975

Rec. Melodiya, early 1970's 

The playing of the USSR Ministry of Defence Band is of top professional quality here and the programming both varied and enjoyable. I can find no evidence of this album having been produced commercially in digital (CD or download) format and will willingly remove it from this blog should anyone concerned in its production or copyrighting complain about its presence here on legal grounds. Thanks to Tin Ear/MusicParlour for supplying the files.

Track Listing

Side 1

1. Rimsky-Korsakov: Trombone Concerto (Victor Batashov, trombone; Nicolai Navarov, cond.)
2. Prokofiev: March, Op. 69/No. 1 in Bb 'March for Sports Games' (Nicolai Navarov, cond.)
3. Prokofiev: March, Op. 69/No. 2 in F 'Lyric March' (Nicolai Sergeyev, cond.)
4. Prokofiev: March, Op. 69/No. 3 in Bb (Nicolai Navarov, cond.)

Side 2

1. (Trk 5) Prokofiev: March, Op. 99 (Nicolai Sergeyev, cond.)
2. (Trk 6) Rimsky-Korsakov: Variations for Oboe and Band (on a theme by Glinka) (Yevgeny Lyakhovitsky, oboe, Yuri Pitiriov, cond.)
3. (Trk 7) Rimsky-Korsakov: Clarinet Concerto (Lev Mikhailov, clarinet; Leo Dunsev, cond.)
4. (Trk 8) Tchaikovsky: Military March in Bb (Nicolai Sergeyev, cond.)

Download links (Flac is high quality, but takes up significant computer space (about the equivalent of an audio CD for the whole album). Use flac for reference listening or for further editing/mixing etc.; Mp3 is more suitable for mobile listening, still of fairly high quality, but takes up much less space. Both downloads come with the same notes and high resolution artwork. Click on above image for preview):


Showpieces for Band FLAC

Showpieces for Band MP3

Please feel welcome in commenting on this album via the box or link below.

Fabulously played bite-sized Tchaikovsky

The Great Melodies of Tchaikovsky
The Philadelphia Orchestra, cond. Eugene Ormandy

Columbia Records CL 946 (Lp release date unknown)

Recorded 1950-1953 (Mono)

A classical sound bite Lp 1950's-style, comprising a mixture of complete movements or significant length clips from Tchaikovsky (detailed below). The practice of fading in/out or making cuts during movements may well be frowned upon in some circles these days, but don't under estimate the quality of playing here: perfectly judged, tuneful, full of romance and with the Philadelphians and Ormandy on top form. Very good mono sound.

I can find no evidence of this album having been produced commercially in digital (CD or download) format and will willingly remove it from this blog should anyone concerned in its production or copyrighting complain about its presence here on legal grounds. 

Track Listing

Side 1

1. Fifth Symphony - Andante cantabile (excerpt from 2nd movement) (9:05)

2. Romeo and Juliet - Love Theme (3:06)

3. Waltz from Serenade for Strings (3:38)

4. Theme from Marche Slav (5:48)

Side 2

1. (Trk 5) Theme from Pathétique Symphony (excerpt from 1st movement) (5:17)

2. (Trk 6) Waltz of the Flowers (excerpt) (5:30)

3. (Trk 7) Andante cantabile, from String Quartet in D (arr. for string orchestra) (7:03)

4. (Trk 8) Waltz from Sleeping Beauty (4:22)

Download links (Flac is high quality, but takes up significant computer space (about the equivalent of an audio CD for the whole album). Use flac for reference listening or for further editing/mixing etc.; Mp3 is more suitable for mobile listening, still of fairly high quality, but takes up much less space. Both downloads come with the same notes and high resolution artwork. Click on above image for preview):

The Great Melodies of Tchaikovsky FLAC      

The Great Melodies of Tchaikovsky MP3

Please feel welcome in commenting on this album via the box or link below.