Best "Hungarian Rhapsody" on vinyl?


I listened to a recording of this Liszt piece on the "Best of Naxos" CD, and haven't rummaged thru my vinyl collection yet, to see if I even have this on vinyl (I may already, I have so many that I haven't even had time to run them thru the cleaning machine). WHAT I WANT IS a recording with primarily the warmest/most colorful string tone, and the strongest contrasts between loud and soft.
carl_eber

Showing 3 responses by dacostab

I have one on Mercury (from Europe, the Golden Inports series), by Antal Dorati and the London Symphony Orchestra, # SRI 7508. I haven't listened to it for a long time, but if my memory serves me well, it is a good recording. Will let you know after I listen to it.
Sorry for the delay in getting back to you guys.... The Dorati version is nicely done (the best, according to an old Penguin Record Guide), but the recording is not the best. The strings are not as lush as a typical Mercury, and I wouldn't mind a bit more bass. The large dynamics that Carl requires are not there. One caveat, however, is that I am using fairly new speakers (ML SL3) and tonearm (i.e. not broken in). The cartridge is a Koetsu Rosewood, with all tube electronics. The Koetsu is one voluptuous cartridge !
Time to do a rewind on my last posting.....I just received and installed a double run of Cardas Neutral Reference Speaker cables in a bi-wire configuration. The difference is amazing....more bass, cleaner, more extended highs, etc. The Golden Inports version may well be what Carl is looking for. Still, not as good as an original Mercury, but then, what is !!! BTW, this recording is available on CD...there's a review somewhere in TAS. On the subject of cartridges...while waiting for my Koetsu the dealer loaned me a Benz (can't remember the model number)that cost as much as the Koetsu - I was unimpressed with the Benz. The Koetsu, on the other hand..... !!! Prior to that I used a Koetsu Black, then a Black Gold Line.