MG-50000: MOUSSORGSKY-RAVEL: Pictures At An Exhibition
Chicago Symphony, Kubelik

	Label Type :	Maroon Mercury Olympian Series Long Playing Microgroove
	Matrix Number :	SIDE-A	YMG10100A MF6    B2    I
		SIDE-B	YMG10100B MF10    A1 F    I

Comments

As the matrix number says, MG-50000 is a renumbered issue of MG-10100. Probably MG-10100 was issued in 1951, while MG-50000 in 1953 or 1954.

Although it is MF6/MF10 stampers, the sound itself is still nice. I wish I had a copy of MF1/MF1 stampers (if exists) ...

Dec. 2, 2004: Monte Fullmer-san kindly sent me a photo of his MG-50000 copy. His copy comes with black label with silver print, no “Living Presence” on the label. The matrix is MG-10100 -2EF and MG-10100 -2EF. Probably his copy is one of the earliest variations of MG-50000, while the very first issue of this album should be MG-10100.

Side-A label of MG-50000 (photo courtesy of Monte Fullmer-san)
Black label with silver print type.

Personal Impression (and brief notes)

Rafael Kubelik's first recording on Mercury label. And also one of the earliest “Living Presence” sessions (although Living Presence series started a bit later) - great monaural recording.

Agressive, but at the same time harmonious, nice performance.

Strictly Personal Rating (to what extent I could enjoy this album)

7 out of 10

Track Listing

Personnel

Personnel/recorded date/master numbers confirmed with the Ruppli's discography.
(“The Mercury Labels - A Discography” by Ruppli and Novitsky, Greenwood Press, 1993)

Chicago Symphony, Rafael Kubelik.
Featuring Adolph Harseth (tp).
Recorded at Orchestra Hall, Chicago, IL on April 23, 1951.

David Hall, recording director.
C.R. Fine and George Piros, engineer.

Jackets

Front	Back

Labels

Side A	Side B