Various - Multiple artists - Lot of 6 pre-recorded open-reel magnetic tapes (7" reels) of classical music, 4-track stereo format - Multiple titles - Tape reels - 1960

These tapes document a precise historical moment: the boom of domestic stereo after 1957-58, with RCA Victor launching the legendary Living Stereo series (often recorded in 3-track and carefully mastered) and London/Decca experimenting with advanced techniques such as Phase 4 (multiple microphones and spectacular imaging) and ffrr. Ampex was the main American duplicator of pre-recorded tapes. The performances feature major names of the period: Van Cliburn (who became a worldwide star after winning the Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow in 1958), Leopold Stokowski, Karl Richter, Peter Katin, and Colin Davis.

All tapes are on 7" reels with original colored labels (orange RCA, green London/Richmond), housed in their original boxes (some showing typical age-related wear, slightly worn corners, but complete with inserts and notes where present). The tapes appear in good visual condition (leaders visible on some, with no obvious serious damage from the photos). Ideal for Living Stereo and Phase 4 collectors, audiophiles, and lovers of analog classical music.


Details of the individual tapes

1. Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18
Peter Katin (piano), New Symphony Orchestra of London, Colin Davis (conductor).
Label: Richmond (A Product of London) – RCH-40002.
Country: USA.
Year: ca. 1960 (recorded 8 May 1959 at Kingsway Hall, London; Richmond LP 1959).
A Decca/London product, duplicated by Ampex. A fine Decca stereo recording of the period, with Katin in excellent form and the young Colin Davis.
Condition: Case Nm | Tape Ex

2. Bach & Liszt: Organ Recital / Bach and Liszt Organ Music
Karl Richter at the organ of the Victoria Hall, Geneva.
Label: London / Ampex Double Play – LCK 80067.
Country: USA (duplicated by Ampex).
Year: early to mid-1960s (Double Play tape equivalent to two LPs; original recordings mid-1950s, stereo LPs ~1960).
Double Play tape with automatic reversing signal, containing the equivalent of two complete albums (Toccata and Fugue, Fantasia on B-A-C-H, Passacaglia, Bach and Liszt chorales). Richter is one of the great Bach interpreters of the era; the Decca/London organ sound is highly regarded.
Condition: Case Ex | Tape Nm

3. My Favorite Chopin
Van Cliburn (piano).
Label: RCA Victor Red Seal Living Stereo – FTC-2091.
Country: USA.
Year: 1961 (recorded May 1961 at Webster Hall, New York; LP LSC-2576 same year).
Selection of Chopin works (Polonaise Op. 53 “Heroic”, Nocturne, Fantaisie, Études, Ballade, Waltz, Scherzo). Cliburn at the height of his popularity, with the typically rich and warm Living Stereo sound.
Condition: Case Vg+ | Tape Ex

4. Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade, Op. 35
Leopold Stokowski, London Symphony Orchestra (Erich Gruenberg, solo violin).
Label: London Phase 4 Stereo Concert Series – LCL 75005.
Country: USA (Ampex).
Year: 1965 (recorded 22 September 1964 at Kingsway Hall, London).
Iconic (and controversial) Phase 4 recording by Stokowski: vast, spectacular sound with multiple microphones. One of the most famous and colorful versions of Scheherazade, highly sought after by Phase 4 collectors.
Condition: Case Nm | Tape Nm

5. Moonlight Sonata (arrangements)
Morton Gould and His Orchestra.
Label: RCA Victor Red Seal Living Stereo – FTC-2066.
Country: USA.
Year: 1961 (LP LSC-2542 same year).
Gould’s arrangements of Beethoven (Adagio from the Moonlight Sonata), Kreisler, Debussy (Clair de lune, Rêverie), Youmans, Arlen, etc. Light classical/popular music typical of Gould’s style, in Living Stereo sound.
Condition: Case Ex | Tape Ex

6. Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat minor, Op. 23
Van Cliburn (piano), Kiril Kondrashin (conductor), RCA Symphony Orchestra.
Label: RCA Victor Red Seal Living Stereo – FTC-2043.
Country: USA.
Year: ca. 1958-1960 (recorded 30 May 1958 at Carnegie Hall, shortly after Cliburn’s victory at the Tchaikovsky Competition; LP LM/LSC-2252 1958).
The legendary recording that made Cliburn a worldwide star. One of the most famous and best-selling titles in the Living Stereo series, with excellent balance between piano and orchestra.
Condition: Case Ex | Tape Nm


Overall condition: Boxes show typical aging and wear (edges, corners, some discoloration); tapes have intact original labels and visible leaders.