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Paul Paray, Detroit Symphony conductor between 1951 and 1962 is now a cult figure, a maestro for maestros. And it's easy to hear why. This samp ling from his legendary catalog for Mercury gives us the realm of his intellect in two dissimilar symphonies, the New World and Sibelius's Second. In the first, the rattle-and-snap of his technique inspires the DSO to blaze away into a New World of freshness and vitality inherent in Dvorak, but only hinted at in other recordings. The Sibelius takes us wide-eyed into the expansive world of the North, lakes and mountain ranges, the Northern Lights, tundra and sun.
This is a highly spirited, vigorous performance. It is highly exuberant and energetic, truly a joy to listen to. It is also very tight and polished. Really a fantastic performance of these works. Also, the recording quality is really superb. Even though this was recorded in 1959 and 1960, it sounds very realistic, natural and present. I'd like to hear more contemporary recordings made with just two microphones like this one is - it really sounds like an orchestra sounds in real life.