1. Barber, Samuel. Serenade, Op. 1 (c1929, arranged for strings c1944). Carter, Elliott. Elegy (c1943). Diamond, David. Rounds for String Orchestra (c1944). Fine, Irving. Serious Song-A Lament for String Orchestra (c1955). Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra. Gerard Schwarz, conductor. Marc J. Aubort and Joanna Nickrenz, record producers. Nonesuch DIGITAL D-79002 (c1980). 1st Label. New Disq Playing Grade 93/93. New Disq Visual Grade 96/96. Promotional Cover 94. $35.00. Recorded in the Ambassador Auditorium, Pasadena on April 2, 1980. This lithe, airy offering of modern string music is served well by digital technology; its sound is not self-consciously digital. **** Ex Harold Lawrence.
2. Barber, Samuel. Adagio for Strings, Op 11. Media's Meditation and Dance of Vengence, Op. 23 a. School for Scandal Overture, Op 5. Second Essau for Orchestra, Op. 17. New Yorker Philharmonic. Thomas Shippers, conductor. Odessey 33230 (c1975). Reissue Label of CBS 32 11 0006. Disq Playing Grade 93/93. Disq Visual Grade 95/95. Promotional Cover 96/94. $20.00. This is one of the original CBS audiophile collectibles. **** Ex Harold Lawrence.
3. Bach, J. S. Suite for Unaccompanied 'Cello No. 1 in G Major, BWV 1007. Suite for Unaccompanied 'Cello No. 2 in D Minor, BWV 1008. Suite for Unaccompanied 'Cello No. 3 in G Major, BWV 1009. Suite for Unaccompanied 'Cello No. 4 in E Flat Major, BWV 1010. Suite for Unaccompanied 'Cello No. 5 in C Minor, BWV 1011. Suite for Unaccompanied 'Cello No. 6 in D Major, BWV 1012. Janos Starker 'cello. Robert Eberenz, recording engineer. Harold Lawrence, record producer. Mercury SR3 9016 (c1965). Codes: SR90445A RFR3 MR / SR90445B RFR1 1 RR, SR90446ARFR2 1 MR / SR90446BRFR2 1 RR and SR90447A RFR-2 RR / SR90447B RFR-2. 1st Labels. New Disqs Playing Grade 93/93, 95/96 and 94/95. New Disqs Visual Grade 95/95, 95/95 and 95/95. Autographed Insert 95. Box 95. 3 records. Please write for the price of this unique set. (Completed in the winter of 1965, this is the third of four recordings which Starker recorded over a 25-year period. This recording holds a special place in my life. It was produced at Fine Recording's Studio A in the Great Northern Hotel, New York City, the site of many memorable chamber music sessions for Mercury. A former ballroom, Studio A had been restored faithfully by the late engineer, C. Robert Fine, who kept the fluted plaster columns, chandeliers, and hard wooden floor-a perfect acoustical setting for this landmark work in the string repertoire.) H.L. These recordings, above all, are an almost heroic portrait of the 'cellist, made by those who knew him well. **** Ex Harold Lawrence.
4. Bach, J. S. Suite for Unaccompanied 'Cello No. 1 in G Major, BWV 1007. Suite for Unaccompanied 'Cello No. 2 in D Minor, BWV 1008. Suite for Unaccompanied 'Cello No. 3 in G Major, BWV 1009. Suite for Unaccompanied 'Cello No. 4 in E Flat Major, BWV 1010. Suite for Unaccompanied 'Cello No. 5 in C Minor, BWV 1011. Suite for Unaccompanied 'Cello No. 6 in D Major, BWV 1012. Janos Starker 'cello. John Newton, recording engineer. Harold Lawrence, record producer. Sefel DIGITAL SEFD300 (c1984). codes: DMM A C-SEFO 300-A B-B-1 / DMM A C-SEFO 300-B B-B-I, DMM A C-SEFO 300-C A-B-1 / DMM A C-SEFO 300-D A-B-I, DMM A C-SEFO 300-E A-B-1 / DMM A C-SEFO 300-F A-B-I, New Unplayed Disqs Visual Grade 98/98, 98/98 and 98/98. Inner Sleeves 95, 95, and 95 Insert 95. Box 95. 3 records. Please write for the price of this unique set. These recordings were made in the Music Arts Center, Indiana University School of Music, Bloomington. The Living Presence technique was used for all six Suites and these are Sony Soundstream recordings. Of the Bach Suites Janos Starker writes "Within the boundaries of discipline, movements should dance and meditate with freedom, but not anarchy. They should meditate with thoughts of the present and a recollection of the past. They should dance with grace and wistful reveries of bygone eras." ***** Ex Harold Lawrence.
5. Beethoven, Ludwig van. Fidelio, Op. 72 (c1805). James McCracken, Florestan. Brigit Nilsson, Leonore. Tom Krause, Pizarro. Kurt Boehme, Rocco. Graziella Sciutti, Marzelline. Others. Vienna State Opera Chorus. Vienna Philharmonic. Lorin Maazel, conductor. London OSA 1259 (c1964). 1st American Labels. Disqs Playing Grade 94/94 and 94/94. Disqs Visual Grade 96/96 and 96/96. Mr. Lawrence's October 1964 Hi Fidelity review clipping 94. Insert 98. 2 records. $20.00. Hi Fidelity reviewer, Conrad L. Osborne writes "This is . . . a breakneck Fidelio. . . . It opts for excitement. . . . from the point of Pizarro's "Er sterbe!" through . . . the duet "O namenlose Freude," Maazel drives his forces through roughly ten minutes which must stand as among the most exciting in recorded opera." ** Ex Harold Lawrence.
6. Beethoven, Ludwig v. Sonata for 'Cello and Piano No. 1 in F Major, Op.5, No. 1. Sonata for 'Cello and Piano No. 2 in G Minor, Op. 5, No. 2. Sonata for 'Cello and Piano No. 3 in A Major, Op. 69. Sonata for 'Cello and Piano No. 4 in C Major, Op. 102, No. 1. Sonata for 'Cello and Piano No. 5 in D Major, Op. 102, No. 2. Mstislav Rostropovich, 'cello. Sviatoslav Richter, piano. Harold Lawrence, record producer of Sonata No. 3. Philips 835182/83 AY (c1964). Codes: AA 835 182 1 Y 8 670 / AA 835 182 2Y6 670 and AA 835 183 1Y7 670 / AA 835 183 2Y5 670. 1st European Label. Disqs Playing Grade 94/94 and 93/93. Disqs Visual Grade 96/96 and 95/95. Booklet 98. Inner Sleeves 95 and 95. Box 96. 2 records. $500.00. These superb performances of the great Beethoven Piano-'Cello Sonatas are filled with power and passion. Both artists display absolute mastery of their instruments and set about playing even the most difficult passages with ease. But most importantly, these two virtuosi offer a true chamber performance blending their talents to the serve the music. The recordings of the five sonatas were made at three different places at three different times. Sonata No. 3 was recorded in London in July 1961, and Nos. 1 and 5 were recorded March 25-31, 1963 in Vienna. Also recorded in Vienna on June 4-9, 1961 were Sonatas 2 and 4. In all recordings the 'cello is placed in front of the piano with the piano roughly centered. In the third sonata Rostropovich is to the right of the piano, where in Sonatas 2 and 4 he is to the left. In Sonatas 1 and 5 the 'cello is again to the right of, and close to the piano. Generally the critical 'cello/piano balance is good, especially in Sonatas 1, 3 and 5. In Sonata No. 3 the interplay of the 'cello and piano is most beautifully captured. According to Harold Lawrence the recording of the A Major Sonata is one of the Philips recordings made with the Mercury Living Presence technique. Although Harold had several different pressings of these performances, it was this set that he most often played. He confessed that though he loved the American Philips version because of its great dynamic, power and realism, he preferred regularly listening to the European records because of their quiet surfaces. (I believe the recorded-performance of the Sonata No. 3 to be one of the great chamber recordings. It is an example of fine musicians playing together superbly in great music that is artistically recorded. And it is a recording that shows Harold's enormous talent. ) *****(*) Ex Harold Lawrence.
7. Bloch, Ernest. Schelomo: Hebrew Rhapsody for 'Cello and Orchestra (c1915). Schumann, Robert. Concerto for 'Cello and Orchestra in a, Op 129 (c1850). Mstislav Rostropovich, 'cello. Orchestre National de France. Leonard Bernstein, conductor. Angel SQ 37256 (c1977). 1st American Label. New Sealed Disq. Cover Grade 98. $50.00. In a 1978 High Fidelity Philip Hart writes of this Schelomo performance "Both Rostropovich and Bernstein are known for placing a highly individual stamp on everything they perform. . . . The result [here], to my ears at least, is a garish performance that throws everything out of focus. . . . There is even a time . . . when Bernstein whips the orchestra into something like a 1930s Hollywood version of "Oriental" music. " Imagine that. ***** Ex Harold Lawrence.
8. Brahms, Johannes. Liebeslieder Walzer, Op. 52. Neue Liebeslieder Walzer, Op. 65. Los Angeles Vocal Arts Ensemble. Armen Guzelimian and Raul Herrera, pianos. Nonesuch DIGITAL D-79008 (c1980). 1st Label. New Unplayed Disq Visual Grade 98/98. Insert 98. Promotional Cover 94. $35.00. This delightful, chattering music has always been a favorite of mine -- the production is propulsive and clear. **** Ex Harold Lawrence.
9. Bridge, Frank. "Sir Roger de Coverley" for String Orchestra. Britten, Benjamin. Simple Symphony for String Orchestra, Op.4. Delius, Frederick. Two Aquarelles (Eric Fenby, orchestrater.) Elgar, Edward. Introduction and Allegro for Strings with Quartet, Op. 47. Emanuel Hurwitz, 1st violin. Jose Luis Garcia, 2nd violin. Cecil Aronowitz, viola. Bernard Richards, 'cello. Purcell, Henry. Chacony for Strings in g (Benjamin Britten, arranger.) English Chamber Orchestra. Benjamin Britten, conductor. Decca SLX 6405 (c1969). Codes: ZAL-8816 1W 1 I JT / ZAL-8817-1W 2D U JT. 1st Label. Disq Playing Grade 93/93. Disq Visual Grade 94/94. Inner Sleeve 94. Cover 95. $250.00. A totally musical production, it is filled with thrilling string writing and virtuoso string playing. The recording was made at The Maltings in the late 1960s. (Harold Lawrence interviewed The Maltings redesigner Derek Sugden. "Let me ask you a question then about the Maltings. What do you think - can you identify the finest, in your opinion, the finest recordings made in the Maltings?" "Yes. There was a recording of English string music by Britten - it was absolutely stunning, and I remember that ...." "That was with Delius's Deux Aquarelles and ..." "Yes, and it had the Elgar Introduction and Allegro for Strings." (The complete interview is at Journal of Recorded Music 8. )*****(*)
10. Chausson, Ernest. Viviane, Op. 5 (c1882). Duparc, Henri. Lénore (c1869). Schmitt, Florent. La Tragédie de Salomé, Op. 50 (c1907 rev. c1911). Gloria Jennings, contralto. Women of the Ambrosian Singers. Philharmonia. Antonio de Almeida, conductor. British RCA Victor Red Seal SB 6834 (c1970). 1st English Label. Disq Playing Grade 93/93. Disq Visual Grade 94/94. Cover 95. $85.00. This is sensuous and exotic music with which Antonio de Almeida achieves really sensational results. This fine recording is an excellent introduction to these French Romantics. ***** Ex Harold Lawrence.
11. Chávez, Carlos. Symphony No. 1 "Sinfonía de Antigona" (c1950). Symphony No. 2 "Sinfonia India" (c1933). Symphony No.3 (c1951). Symphony No. 4 "Romantica" (c1953). Symphony No 5 (c1953). Symphony No. 6 (1961). London Symphony. Eduardo Mata, conductor. Harold Lawrence, record producer. VOX Cum Laude 3D-VCL 9032 (c1982). New Sealed Disqs. New Sealed Box Grade 98. 3 records. $600.00. For Harold's memoirs of this production read his "Of Symphonies and Snowflakes." *****(*) Ex Harold Lawrence.
12. Chávez, Carlos. Symphony No. 2 "Sinfonía de Antigona" (c1950). Moncáyo Garcia, Jose Pablo. Huapango (c1940). Revueltas, Silvestre. Sensemayá (1938). Orquesta Sinfonica del Estado de Mexico. Enrique Batiz, conductor. Varèse Sarabande Soundstream-DIGITAL VCDM 1000.220 (c1981). 1st Label. New Sealed Disq. New Sealed Cover Grade 100. $75.00. ***** Ex Harold Lawrence.
13. Chopin Frederic. Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 1 in e, Op. 11 (c1830). Gina Bachauer, piano. London Symphony. Antal Dorati, conductor. Harold Lawrence, record producer. Étude in A Flat, Op. 25 No. 1. Étude in a, Op. 25 No. 11 "Winter Wind." Étude in c, Op. 25 No. 12. Nocturne in c#, Op. 27 No. 1. Gina Bachauer, piano. Mercury Living Presence SR 90368 (c1963). Codes: SR-90368A-RFR-1 RR p17/ SR 90368 B - RFR-2 RR. 1st Vendor Label. New Unplayed Disq Visual Grade 95/95. Inner Sleeve 95. Promotional Cover 98. $350.00. ***
14. Couperin, François. 4 Concerts Royaux. 10 Nouveaux Concerts; Les Goûts-réünis. Thomas Brandis, violin. Aurèle Nicolet, flute. Heinz Holliger, oboe. Manfred Sax, bassoon. Laurenzius Strehl and/or Josef Ulsamer , Viola da gamba. Christine Jaccottet, harpsichord. Archiv 2723 046 (c1976). 1st Sample Labels. New Unplayed Disqs Visual Grade 98/98, 98/98, 98/98 and 98/98. Booklet 98. Sample Records Box 98. 4 records $100.00. **** Ex Harold Lawrence.
15. Elgar, Edward. Concert for 'Cello and Orchestra in e, Op. 85 (c1918-19). Jacqueline du Pré, 'cello. Sea Pictures, Op. 37 (1899). Janet Baker, contralto. London Symphony. John Barbirolli, conductor. EMI ASD 655 (c1965). Codes: 2YEA 1143 1G I GA / 2YEA 1144 I GR. 1st Sample Label. Disq Playing Grade 93/93. Disq Visual Grade 95/95. Inner Sleeve 94. Cover 96. $150.00. This record is legendary. *****(*) Ex Harold Lawrence.
16. Gershwin, George. George Gershwin Song Book (c1932). Impromptu on Two Keys (c1924). Piano Playin' Jazzbo Brown (c1935). Merry Andrew (c1928). Promenade (c1936). Rialto Ripples (c1916). Three Preludes (c1926). Three-Quarter Blues. William Bolcom, piano. Nonesuch H-71284 (1973). 1st Label. New Unplayed Disq Visual Grade 98/98. Promotional Cover 94. $35.00. **** Ex Harold Lawrence.
17. Gould, Morton. Latin American Symphonette (c1940). Fall River Legend: Cotillion (c1948). Festive Music (c1964). Philharmonic Waltzes (c1947). Symphony on Marching Tunes: Quickstep (c1944). London Symphony. Morton Gould, conductor. Varese Sarabande DIGITAL Soundstream VCDM 1000.10 (c1979). 1st Label. New Disq Playing Grade 94/94. New Disq Visual Grade 98/98. Album 95. $50.00. Recorded September 17 and 18, 1978 in Watford Town Hall, London. Of the digital LP records that I've heard, the Soundstream ones seem most natural. Also, it is Harold Lawrence's favorite digital recording process. (And, this is an exciting album.) *****(*) Ex Harold Lawrence.
18. Ives, Charles. Old Songs Deranged: Music for Theater Orchestra. Yale Theater Orchestra. James Sinclair, conductor. Lawrence Morton, record producer. Columbia Masterworks M 32969 (c1974). Codes: MAL-32969-2A A4 / MBL-32969-3C. 1st Label. Disq Playing Grade 93/93. Disq Visual Grade 95/95. Inner Sleeve 95. Promotional Cover 95. $150.00. In May 1975 a reviewer in Stereo Review offered "Here is . . . an album of thirteen first recordings for [Ives] beloved theater orchestra. . . . Purists may object, but Ives himself was no purist: the whole enterprise is quite within the bounds of his spirit and philosophy. . . . the sources of this material are various. . . [but] . . . all of this is very cleverly put together and played with genuine Ivesian spirit by students and alumni of the Yale School of Music. The recording is dry, clear, and a little tacky-sounding. It suits the music well enough that only a confirmed sonic sybarite will mind. Anyway, this is not a record for sybarites and purists: for the rest of us it is a delight." (This wonderfully strange record is hard to find.) *****(*) Ex Harold Lawrence.
19. Korngold, Erich. King's Row Suite (c1941). National Philharmonic. Charles Gerhardt, conductor. George Korngold, record producer. Chalfont DIGITAL Soundstream SDG 305 (c1979). 1st Label. Disq Playing Grade 94/94. Disq Visual Grade 95/95. Mr. Lawrence's review clipping 94. Insert 98. Album 96. $85.00. Recorded in Walthamstow Town Hall, London on July 25, 1979. This is the premier recording of the original score and is a very wide range record. ***** Ex Harold Lawrence.
20. Panufnik, Andrzej. Sinfonia Votiva (c1949). Sessions, Roger. Concerto for Orchestra (c1981). Boston Symphony. Seiji Ozawa, conductor. Harold Lawrence, record producer. Tony Faulkner, recording engineer. John Goldsmith, recording coordinator. Hyperion DIGITAL A 66050 (c1982). Codes: A-66050A 1 / A-66050 A2. 1st Label. Disq Playing Grade 93/93. Disq Visual Grade 94/94. Inner Sleeve 95 Cover 95. $150.00. Recorded in Symphony Hall, Boston on January 30, 1982 and issued to commemorate the Centennial of the Boston Symphony. Of this production a reviewer in Fanfare wrote "absolutely the finest orchestral recording ever heard in any format." This certainly is great phonography and is one of the most involving record productions that I've heard. (This is a Sony Soundstream recording; a process that Harold believes is, to this day, one of the finest recording techniques.) *****(*) Ex Harold Lawrence.
21. Pergolesi, Giovanni Battista. Concerti Armonica for Strings 1-6 (c1725-1740). Academy of St. Martins-in-the-Fields. Neville Marriner, conductor. Chris Hazell, record producer. Stan Goodall, recording engineer. Argo DIGITAL ZRDL 1002 (c1983). 1st Label. New Disq Playing Grade 93/94. New Disq Visual Grade 96/96. Inner Sleeve 95. Cover 98. $25.00. **** Ex Harold Lawrence.
22. Prokofiev,
Sergei. Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No 5 in G, Op. 55
(c1932). John Browning, piano. Boston Symphony. Erich Leinsdorf,
conductor. Weill, Kurt. Three Penny Opera Suite (c1928). Boston
Symphony Members. Peter Dellheim, record producer. Bernard Keville,
recording engineer. British RCA Victor Red Seal SB 6827 (c1970).
Codes: XRRS-1901-1K I G JV / XRRS-1902-1K I C JT. 1st British
Label. Disq Playing Grade 96/96. Disq Visual Grade 96/96. Inner
Sleeve 95. Cover 96. $150.00 The production of the Prokofiev concerto
is many things, masculine playing, powerful presentation, clean
sound. But, most of all, it is absolutely stunning phonography.
***** Ex Harold Lawrence.
23. Rodrigo, Joaquin. Concierto Andaluz for Four Guitars and Orchestra (c1967). Concierto de Aranjuez for Guitar and Orchestra (c1939). Celedonio, Celin, Pepe and Angel Romero. San Antonio Symphony. Victor Alessandro, conductor. Harold Lawrence, record producer. Red Eberenz, recording engineer. Mercury SR 90488 (c1967). 1st Label. Codes: SR-90488 RFR-1/ SR-90488B-RFR-1. Disq Playing Grade 94/93. Disq Visual Grade 95/95. Inner Sleeve 95. Cover 95. $950.00. Recorded in the Municipal Auditorium, San Antonio on November 13 and 21, 1967, this is Harold Lawrence's last Mercury production and is the premiere recording of Concierto Andaluz. In the liner notes Joaquin Rodrigo offers "It can be said that the Romeros Quartet is characterized by their color, authentic musicianship and virtuosity on guitar. This combination permits them to present truly extraordinary interpretations." **** Ex Harold Lawrence.
24. Stravinsky, Igor. Rite of Spring (1913). Columbia Symphony. Igor Stravinsky, conductor. Columbia Masterworks MS 6319 (c1960). Codes: XXSM49384-1C 111 H / XXSM49385-1J 1X1H. 1st Label. Disq Playing Grade 93/93. Disq Visual Grade 94/94. Inner Sleeve 94. Cover 96. $250.00. This is an historic record and of it Harold Lawrence writes "In all of his prolific output, no work has surpassed Rite of Spring for originality and impact. Even today, in a virtuoso performance by a great orchestra, the music still has the power to shock -- to have you sitting literally on the edge of your seat. Its influence on the history of contemporary music is enormous, and is still being felt today. Pierre Boulez said that the work ' became a point of departure for a new concept of rhythm and esthetics.' I wonder how many conductors have studied this album while preparing for their own performances of the score." ***** Ex Harold Lawrence.
25. Ars Britannica: Old Hall Manuscript, Madrigals, Lute Songs. Pro Cantione Antiqua. Telefunken 6.35494 (c1980). 1st Label. New Unplayed Disqs Visual Grade 96/96, 98/98 and 98/98. Booklet 98. Mr. Lawrence's New York Times review clipping "Songs of the Middle Ages and Beyond" 90. Box 98. 3 records. $45.00. Peter G Davis, the Times reviewer, observes "'The Old Hall Manuscript'. . . are appropriately smooth as silk . . . [and] the lute songs [are] an elegantly stylized presentation of some delightfully civilized music." *** Ex Harold Lawrence.
26. Les Cris de Paris: Chansons de Janequin et Sermisy. Ensemble Clement Janequin. harmonia mundi FRANCE HM 1072 (c1981). 1st Label. New Disq Playing Grade 94/94. New Disq Visual Grade 96/96. Insert 98. Cover 96. $35.00. Long a favorite Renaissance chansons record of mine, this is clear, clean phonography. And, it is at the same time delightful and thrilling music. Of such music in his time, Rabelais describes a concert of "joyful musicians in a secret garden, surrounding a rampart of wineflasks, hams, pies and diverse, daintily dressed quails." *****(*) Ex Harold Lawrence.