One of Previn's best recorded performances, this was a piece he clearly loved. And it has generally good sound... but marred by Dynagroove screeching in upper strings. Moreover, the accelerated, triumphant ending of the piece is clearly mis-judged. Post-Volkov, we all know this ending is of fake triumph, not the real thing. And it needs to sound like that!

Performance of a great symphony is wonderful, and the remastering is, as always, marvellous.

I downloaded the 24/96 flac. of this release. This is Previn's earlier, London Symphony mid-60's account for RCA, which I believe most reviewers find preferable to his later recording for Angel, albeit with the great Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Indeed, the present recording for many is one of THE greatest ever recordings of this work. In other words, you will not go wrong here even in a crowded market of vintage recordings that have stood the test of time. For me, the release compares very favourably in sound to others of the same recording: RCA's own downloadable transfers have a very marginally more telling bass response than here, but occasionally can sound clinical and glassy. The high violins at exactly four minutes into the finale sound warmer in the present release, magical even, and many will appreciate the generally more textured sound afforded by the open reel tape source - heard as listeners would have heard it 'then', given ideal sound reproduction equipment. Highly recommended, not least for those who remember 1960's hi-fi at its best.