Latest Updates - Simon Preston

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Comment by Gill Sans SUBS:

The notes say that this album was the follow up to the earlier Ago release of the Festival of Lessons and Carols at King's College Chapel on RG 39, which was directed by Boris Ord and released in 1954. This 1959 issue was also issued in stereo (ZRG 5190), having been recorded on the 22nd and 23rd of December 1958. The Capel choir is made up of men and boys from the King's College choir.

This video of the Invitatory appears to be correct for this record, though the credited label is Beulah, who may have acquired the rights.

[YouTube Video]

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Comment by Gill Sans SUBS:

The original release in May 1963 as a Decca box set of two LPs was on SET.252 & SET.253 (stereo) and MET.252 & MET.253 (mono). Recording producer John Culshaw took great care to position the performers optimally for a stereo recording. Soloists Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau and Peter Pears were joined by Russian soprano Galina Vishnevskaya, meeting Britten's wish to feature soloists from Germany, Russia and Britain.

The record was hailed as a masterpiece by critics and public, quickly sold 200 thousand copies, and has remained in the catalogue ever since. This CD set has now been superceded by a remastered edition, released on the 15th of May 2006.

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Comment by MR B PAGE:

Printed by Robert Stace.