Among Classic Records’ highlight accomplishments — before the label sold in 2010 to Acoustic Sounds — was unlocking the audio majesty of the Everest 35mm magnetic film recordings on a groundbreaking reissue series. Now, return with us, as Classic Records by Analogue Productions returns this vintage audiophile collection to its rightful glory.
Everest LPs through the early 1960s were recorded on 3-channel 35mm magnetic film recording equipment. 35mm magnetic film yielded greater fidelity and less noise than standard 1/4″ recording tape. The Westrex Corporation built special equipment to Everest’s specifications to accomplish these advantages.
Manuel de Falla’s famed 3 Cornered Hat is a hard piece to perform with the Latin sense of flair and excitement necessary to convey the wonder of the composition. Fiedler on RCA (LSC 2744) tries with some success to get the flair but is no equal for Argenta on London/Decca (CS 6050). The Jorda read with the London Symphony is electric from the first vocal burst! To say that Jorda owns this piece would not be an overstatement — it is exciting and largely festive in the way de Falla intended it to be! Add to a fantastic performance the Bert Whyte / Everest 35mm recording at London’s famed Walthamstow Assembly Hall and you have a desert island disc! The 35mm sonics make instruments so critical to this piece seem “in the room” with a never before achieved reality — just listen to the tambourine at the introduction if you want to experience shocking reality in playback at home.
| 1 | Introduction |
| 2 | Afternoon |
| 3 | The Procession |
| 4 | Dance of the Miller’s Wife |
| 5 | The Corregidor |
| 6 | The Miller’s Wife |
| 7 | The Grapes |
| 8 | The Neighbor’s Dance |
| 9 | The Miller’s Dance |
| 10 | The Miller’s Arrest |
| 11 | Dance of the Corregidor |