HiFi Feast for Orchestra with Argeo Quadri conducting

Today, a really neat orchestral compilation conducted by Italian maestro Argeo Quadri. With the Philharmonic Symphony of London (I believe it is the LPO in disguise though it could be the RPO too), Quadri leads bouyant performances of  Dukas' The Sorcerer's Apprentice, Saint-Saens' Danse Macabre and Bacchanale from Samson and Delilah, Chabrier's Marche Joyeuse and  Espana, Mossolov's The Iron Foundry, and Revueltas' Sensemaya and Cuauhnahuac. This is mid 50's Westminster monaural sound with an impressive dynamic range.

 Argeo Quadri was primarily a conductor of opera and he spent many years as a resident in Vienna. Westminster, obviously playing into the Toscanini craze and legend of the 50's, signed Quadri as their resident Italian, probably in the hopes that another Italian, known for firm technical control and a fidelity to the score, would increase their sales exponentially. Quadri made a number of records, a very fine Sheherazade, a strong Respighi issue (posted here on this blog) and surprisingly, an excellent set of Corelli's Op 6 Concerti Grossi. Unfortunately for Westminster, Quadri did not develop into a seller like Scherchen, Rodzinski, or Boult. Probably a lot of that had to do with the fact that Quadri did not have much of a physical presence on this side of the Atlantic nor was he a larger than life figure as was Westminster stallwart Scherchen. Quadri also was not a martinet or an excessively ruthless person. All speculation, of course.

Argeo Quadri

The surprise of this program has to be the inclusion of the two pieces by Revueltas. I suppose that these were new to the London players and I find it fascinating that this Italian opera conductor would program these little known works when no one else did, maybe with the exception of Stokowski. The results are positively splendid, with the orchestra playing in a "by the seat of the pants" fashion. Juxtaposed with warhorses Espana and The Sorcerer's Apprentice, Quadri manages to craft a varied and interesting program. I think you will like this alot. Oh....and if Iron Foundry doesn't get your attention!?

DOWNLOAD

Luis Herrera de la Fuente conducts music from Mexico

A little while back, Buster at the Big 10 Inch posted an intriguing issue of classical music from Colombia. In the spirit of recognizing our friends "south of the border," I offer a very fine disc from Musart of Mexican works conducted by the "dean of all Mexican music," Maestro Luis Herrera de la Fuente.

If you do not know Mexican classical music from the past century's mid point, here is the place to start. We have Ayala's Tribu, Galindo's Sones de Mariachi, Revueltas' Homenaj a Garcia Lorca and of course, Moncayo's wonderful Huapango. Let me tell you, if you are having the worst, crappiest, messiest day, listen to Huapango and it'll put you right! Everything is beautifully realized by the Maestro and his National Symphony Orchestra of Mexico.

A note on the Maestro. Talent, energy and determination have been hallmarks of his career. Though we do not know him well in the States, in Central America, he was and is, The Man. I believe he is still somewhat active and he's well into his 90's. After listening to this disc, you will wonder why you don't know Herrera de la Fuente.

Though I cannot nail down a record date, I believe this originates from the late 50's, early 60's.

DOWNLOAD