New Records

The first real harvest of classics since Petrillo lifted his recording ban is only now reaching the market. Some of the June plums:

Mussorgsky: Boris Godunoff (Alexander Kipnis and Ilya Tamarin with the Victor Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, Nicolai Berezowsky and Robert Shaw conducting; Victor, 10 sides). A great Russian opera becomes one of the great operatic recordings. Almost too carefully abridged, the album nevertheless keeps fine dramatic continuity. Kipnis' voice is monumental in the ominous clock scene and in the death finale. Performance and recording: excellent.

Lalo: Symphonie Espagnole (Nathan Milstein and the Philadelphia Orchestra, Eugene Ormandy conducting; Columbia, 6 sides). Milstein's capricious violin is perfectly paced by a razor-sharp orchestral reading of the lighthearted concerto. Performance: excellent. Recording: good.

Rachmaninoff: Symphony No. 2 in E Minor (Philharmonic-Symphony Orchestra of New York, Artur Rodzinski conducting; Columbia, 12 sides). Except for the serene adagio movement, Rodzinski's treatment is heavyhanded. Performance: fair. Recording: good.

Brahms: Symphony No. 4 in E Minor (Philadelphia Orchestra, Eugene Ormandy conducting; Columbia, 10 sides). Pedantic Brahms would raise an eyebrow at Ormandy's changes of tempo, but he would find it pretty good music just the same. Performance and recording: good.

Mozart: Symphony No. 41 (Jupiter) in C Major (Philharmonic-Symphony Orchestra of New York, Bruno Walter conducting; Columbia, 8 sides). Walter's fastidious treatment bubbles like a tall summer drink and has somewhat the same effect. Performance: excellent. Recording: good.

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