I have long been in awe of the sound of my original 1972 UK Decca LP. Not so my Decca CD, of now some 18 years plus. The Decca CD is cold, hard, and glassy sounding; totally devoid of any of its' warm analog magic. This open reel to CD transfer is practically the LP's exact clone, minus all the clicks and pops my long treasured LP has developed from so many plays. This High Definition Tape Transfer indeed packs quite the emotional wallop. I am delighted, just delighted!

Crisp, exciting, satisfying performance. Orchestrally balanced. Mid-hall perspective. Detailed sound. Silent background.

This is an unusually valuable release. First, Tchaikovsky's Manfred is top-drawer stuff and still not as widely known as it should be. Second, this remains one of Lorin Maazel's great recordings - and I'm generally speaking not one of his great admirers. Third, this was always a great sounding recording, and again, the HDTT people have worked their usual miracles.

Tchaikovsky Symphonies are such fireworks and romantic at the same time. Maazel is one of the great conductors ever, and interprets everything so well, especially Tchaikovsky.