Danse Macabre with Stokowski / PSO (1925 version)

[transformingArt]

Since Adam (user "Beaumonde") posted his superb transfers of Dvorak's "The New World" Symphony from 1925, I figured that I can post (as some sort of my tribute to him ) a transfer of another favorite of mine from Stokowski's early electrics - in fact, his very first electric sides; the famous Danse Macabre by Saint-Saens. Recorded on April 29th, 1925. Matrix numbers CVE-27929-2 ad CVE-27930-2, respectively. Transferred at 75.91rpm (I only pitched this by my ear, so I might be wrong)

I actually used two copies of this record for transferring this - Part 1 solely transferred from an early Scroll pressing (Victrola 6653) and part 2 is a mixture of 6653 scroll pressing and a 6505 Batwing pressing since the 6653 had a very bad deep scratch starting in the middle of the 2nd side that creates very disturbing clicks. The 6505 Batwing pressing is little bit worn thus somewhat noisier, so you might notice a slight change of surface noises starting around 5:35. Hope the change isn't that revealing. Both of the copies are not in the pristine condition, so there are occasional distortions caused by worn grooves, but it's not that bad.

As for the stylus, I used the 3.25 mil truncated elliptical stylus for the most part, except for the final 1:36 seconds of which I used the 3.5 mil. Since ClickRepair is not functioning on my computer, the file is in "RAW" form (without any filtering applied), although I mixed the two channels into one channel to make it more listenable. The audio is encoded as a 320kbps VBR MP3 file.

Now a little bit of my personal opinion for the performance; it surely sounds little bit awkward with all that Acoustical recording style Orchestrations. The final minute is pretty much rushed , but somehow fits with the mood, by the way. Anyway, you just have to fall in love with that few bars of violin solo by Thaddeus Rich, the Concertmaster of the Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra for nearly 20 years at that time.

So, here it is; hope you'll enjoy it and leave some comments about this!

http://www.box.com/s/nqgoo8u12tpa2cdq5b48

[youtubehq]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWLogLpg5uw[/youtubehq]

I made a Music video of this combined with a 1922 silent film of the same name. The audio on this video (of which I have transferred a long time ago) is totally different to what I have just posted on here.

[beaumonde]

Mark, very nice job. I am amazed that you were able to synchronize the film and music so effectively (in particular the crowing of the rooster near the end). I think I have this record on a black-label French HMV pressing; I will have to look for it.

edit: it's actually on a Voce del Padrone pressing (looks like '30s).

[Lenoirstreetguy]

This is fascinating. I've never seen the silent before!

J

[Bruce_Van_Note]

Sensational! I like everything about this. Thank you for presenting this music, video, and technical expertise.