Vinylla fudge.(THE MUSIC)(Sound recording review)

Hindemith: Concerto for Violin and Orchestra, Mozart: Concerto for Violin and Orchestra No. 3 in G Major (K. 216) Joseph Fuchs, violin/London Symphony Orchestra/Sir Eugene Gossens, Everest/Classic SBDR 3040

Shostakovich: Symphony No. 9, Op. 70, Prokofiev: Lieutenant Kije--Suite, Op. 60 London Symphony Orchestra/Sir Malcolm Sargent, Everest/Classic SDBR 3054

Both these releases have been out for long enough that anyone with the slightest interest in classic music and/or classic reissues most likely already has them. I'm not saying that the purchase of these two records should be mandatory. In all fairness, there is a much better version of the Prokofiev piece out there, and I suspect more than one of the Mozart.

Like many record listeners, though, curiosity got the best of me. Besides, the Hindemith is rare enough on heavy vinyl, and the Shostakovich doesn't often make its way onto new audiophile wax, either. These two pieces happen to be the selections that I listen to most often from these two records.

The Hindemith is very representative of his style. If you like his style, you will probably like his Violin Concerto very much. The recording is certainly good--it isn't RCA Living Stereo or Mercury Living Presence good, but good nonetheless. On my stereo, at least, both records lend themselves perfectly well to the audiophile listening experience. The solo violin is recorded up-front, but not too much in front of the orchestra, which is good, because the purely orchestral sections of the piece are the best part. I'm most familiar with Hindemith's Chamber Concertos and ballet score The Four Temperaments, and its nice to hear a full orchestra go all out with his vaguely ...