Sir Eugene Goossens [Pye Pholo3 PROKOFTEV. Symphony No. 1 in D major, Op. 25, "Classicar. Pro Arte Orchestra conducted by Sir Eugene Goossens. Pye CEC32032 (7 in., I ls. plus 4s. 31d. P.T.).

Coupled as above:

Paris Cons. Orch., Ansermet (1/55) LW5096

Lamoureux Oral., Maranon (1/57) N13E11046

Berlin R.I.A.S., Fri,say (1/58) EPL30212

Philnarrnoni,i, Malko (2/59 ) 7 E P7072

This is a highly recommendable classical, both for performance and for recording. Indeed, I think the recording tips the scale and makes it my choice over its nearest rival, Fricsay. Ansermet's performance is not good enough to warrant its extra cost. Martinon's doesn't sound well enough. Malko's (reissued this month as an EP) is a good performance till he gets to the finale which he somehow manages to make sound relatively dull (largely because those explosive entries all over the place don't explode sufficiently nor fizzle out as each should).

Fricsay and Goossens both give superbly good performances, both of them in charge of virtuoso players really on top of the finale (and that finale is a real test of the violins). Fricsay, indeed, takes this at a fantastic speed, but his orchestra undeniably brings it off. D.G.G. give him their usual -warm and excellent sound : but Pye's more vivid, yet perfectly full quality is admirable and the clarity of texture which results is just what this sort of music most benefits from. I did find the bass a bit heavy, even with the control at its lowest—it drew attention to itself.

As to the performance, it has style and humour. I thought the Gavotte too fast— its allegro is qualified by Prokofiev by non troppo—but in general I give this disc a warm welcome all round. T.H.