MG-50071: GERSHWIN: An American In Paris;
Porgy And Bess - A Symphonic Picture
Minneapolis Symphony, Dorati

	Label Type :	Maroon Mercury Olympian Series Living Presence High Fidelity
	Matrix Number :	SIDE-A	MG50071A FR3    A1    I
		SIDE-B	MG50071B FR1    C1    I

Comments

Monaural only - there is no equivalent stereo issues of this MG-50071. However, stereo version of Side-A can be heard on SR-90290 and SR-90431.

FR pressing: sound/press quality is nice.

According to my brief research, this LP was originally released sometime in 1958 - I guess, the catalogue number MG-50071 was once assigned in 1955 or 1956 for a certain release but cancelled. Then Mercury re-used this number MG-50071 for this LP release in 1958. At least, the Side-A performance was recorded on Dec. 20, 1957, so it is obvious that the release was after the date.

with original Mercury inner sleeve.

Personal Impression (and brief notes)

If you are familiar with “An American In Paris”, and if you have heard several performances by other orchestras and conductors, you will be surprised at this MSO-Dorati performance. This performance has many moments when they go out of harmonies and rhythms. It's the very opposite to the sophisticated version of “An American In Paris” - it's thrilling and massive. However, I really like this performance. Such “amateurish” sound really matches the composition itself. It's very funny, enjoyable and astounding. Very lovable album indeed.

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

8 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)

B-1:
Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra, Antal Dorati (cond).
Recorded at Northrop Memorial Auditorium, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN on December 12-14, 1952.

A-1:
same personnel as above.
Recorded at Northrop Memorial Auditorium, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN on December 20, 1957.

Jackets

Front	Back

Labels

Side A	Side B

Inner Sleeve

Front	Back