Edition Gewandhausorchester, Vol. 1

ENGELBERT HUMPERDINCK (1854-1921): Moorish Rhapsody (March 12, 1945), EUGENE D'ALBERT (1864-1932): Cello Concerto in C, Op. 20 (Adolf Steiner [cello]. Nov. 6, 1944), RICHARD STRAUSS (1864-1949): Festival Prelude for Large Orchestra and Organ, Op. 61 (probably Günther Ramin [organ]. March 5, 1940).

Description: A deluxe 7.6" by 5.6" hard-bound 50-page book with 30 historical photographs of Leipzig, its radio studio and mobile truck, the Gewandhaus before and after its destruction in 1944, the orchestra, the composers on this disc and much more, with text in German and English. The sound quality is astonishingly good: the Strauss is from acetates but the other two are from tape and all are clear, free of distortion with a good dynamic range and excellent sound imaging (you can even hear creaks of music stands and players' shoes on the floor). Both the D'Albert and Humperdinck were recorded in the Concordia Festival Hall which was the orchestra's home after the Gewandhaus was bombed and both are studio recordings - no audience - made for broadcast. And look at the date on the Humperdinck! Can you imagine what these players and the recording engineers were thinking and feeling?