50’s Unfiltered: The Reiner “Zarathustra“ (1954) Chicago

50s Unfiltered - The Reiner “Zarathustra“ Richard Strauss Also Sprach Zarathustra Op. 30 2. Of the people of the unseen world 3. Of the great longing 4. Of joys and passions 5. Hymne funebre 6. Of science 7. The convalescent 8. Dance Song 9. Night Wanderer’s Song Fritz Reiner, conductor The Chicago Symphony Orchestra Recorded March 8, 1954 at Orchestra Hall, Chicago The Reiner recording of “Also Sprach Zarathustra“ has the historic distinction of being the first stereo release on RCA Victor, although Columbia beat them with the first stereo release in the USA only weeks earlier. According to accounts of that session, which was one Reiner’s earliest recordings with the Chicago Symphony, the tape operator was unavailable when Reiner and the orchestra were ready to begin recording. Rather than wait for the engineer to return, a violinist from the second section walked over and switched on the tape machine. Take one of “Sunrise“ is the one that we hear on this recording. All lore aside, the Reiner “Zarathustra“ was met with widespread critical acclaim for the performance, and the sound was also well received. Fifties Unfiltered is a series of issues on this channel that seek to present original recordings from the early stereo period without filtering or alteration of any kind. Often these recordings have been re-mixed for modern issue by the major labels to the detriment of their original sound. The present recording is taken from 20th Century digital transfers made without processing, and fully optimized at 24-bit for issue on YouTube. This allows modern listeners to hear these great recordings, as closely as possible, to what they originally sounded like when issued. NOTE: All recordings from the 1950s have tape hiss. It is part of the original sound. The final image in all from this series features the original cover art as it appeared on the LP. Digital Transfer (1992) RCA New York 24-Bit Mastering (2023) Paul Howard - The Yucaipa Studio We do not monetize on this channel and our posts are commercial free. If you wish to offer support for this kind of music. You may make a donation to: