As I suspected, the quality of the original RCA recording of Carmina burana conducted by Mata was damped down in the LP pressing on two very long sides. It appeared simultaneously with Shaw's Telarc version on LP which was then spread over three sides. The contrast of sound quality on CD is now much more favourable to the RCA, for if played at a fair level the result is more than brilliant enough for this extrovert piece, but also atmospheric as well as cleanly analytical. The Telarc CD is more aggressive in its brightness—an unashamed hi-fi sound—but the performance hardly matches this fine one with the LSO, and the Telarc price at £ 16.95 is far higher. Barbara Hendrick's sensuous soprano tone is beautifully caught, far apter in the "Court of Love" than the usual sounds of virginal purity, while Hagegard is presented in sweeter voice here in this London performance than he was in Atlanta with Robert Shaw.
EG