Among Classic Records' highlight accomplishments was unlocking the audio majesty of the Everest 35mm magnetic film recordings on a groundbreaking reissue series. Everest LPs through the early 1960s were recorded on 3-channel 35mm magnetic film recording equipment. 35mm magnetic film yielded greater fidelity and less noise than standard 1/4" recording tape. The Westrex Corporation built special equipment to Everest's specifications to accomplish these advantages. Fast forward to today: Analogue Productions is resurrecting this collection through an initial 10-title reissue series. Bernie Grundman cut the Classic Records reissues at both 33 and 45 RPM — the 45 RPM versions have never been reissued! Each 2LP set comes with a Stoughton Printing tip-on original jacket and an Everest Records branded jacket showing photos of each reissue title. The two LPs are packaged in a protective clear sleeve. Many a great work of music has gotten off to a bad start because it has been belittled or rejected by a press or public who have failed to understand or appreciate it. In the case of Tchaikovsky's Fifth Symphony, however, it was the composer himself who underestimated its musical and artistic value. Tchaikovsky had completed his Fourth Symphony in 1877. It was a work of which he was always very proud - »our symphony« was the way he often referred to it when corresponding with his benefactress, Nadejda von Meck. The Fifth Symphony was at first considered a failure by the composer after its first few performances were poorly received. Further performances proved to the composer and the critics that, in fact, this great Symphony was worthy of further consideration and ultimately widespread acceptance. Here, Sir Malcolm Sargent conducts the London Symphony at Walthamstow Town Hall, London in a beautifully colorful interpretation of Tchaikovsky's infamous 5th Symphony.
