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Mercury Living Presence Boxed Set CD41 van55.
This 1962 recording was considered a sonic wonder when it was first issued. The sonic effects such as the moans when three of the doors are opened are very effective without being overdone (as so often happens on rival sets), and yet the best of the 1960s sounds a little undernourished today. Olga Szonyi is a good Judith, but lacks the intensity of Christa Ludwig or the grandeur of Jessye Norman. Mihaly Szekely was coached in the performance this opera by the composer in the 1920s, and it was always one of his most important roles. By 1962 he had lost some of his vocal power, but not the ability to bring the drama to life. Antal Dorati and the London Symphony play the score in a grand sweep rather than stopping to accentuate the little details.