---
product_id: 286562931
title: "Columbia Legacy"
brand: "the philadelphia orchestraludwig van beethovenjohannes brahmsrichard strausseugene ormandy"
price: "AR$1325256"
currency: ARS
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 8
url: https://www.desertcart.com.ar/products/286562931-columbia-legacy
store_origin: AR
region: Argentina
---

# Columbia Legacy

**Brand:** the philadelphia orchestraludwig van beethovenjohannes brahmsrichard strausseugene ormandy
**Price:** AR$1325256
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** Columbia Legacy by the philadelphia orchestraludwig van beethovenjohannes brahmsrichard strausseugene ormandy
- **How much does it cost?** AR$1325256 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.com.ar](https://www.desertcart.com.ar/products/286562931-columbia-legacy)

## Best For

- the philadelphia orchestraludwig van beethovenjohannes brahmsrichard strausseugene ormandy enthusiasts

## Why This Product

- Trusted the philadelphia orchestraludwig van beethovenjohannes brahmsrichard strausseugene ormandy brand quality
- Free international shipping included
- Worldwide delivery with tracking
- 15-day hassle-free returns

## Description

Columbia Legacy

## Images

![Columbia Legacy - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81DryqC7CzL.jpg)
![Columbia Legacy - Image 2](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91UnsfUCz1L.jpg)

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 







  
  
    A Different Eugene Ormandy? + list of music recorded only in mono
  

*by J***R on Reviewed in the United States on April 20, 2021*

GLITCH CORRECTEDCD 103 in the original box was defective.It only played for 39:38, ending five seconds too soon, and Ravel’s Tzigane was cut off in mid-phrase.Sony has re-pressed the disc and will mail you a corrected copy if needed.I can’t print e-mail addresses here, so go to YouTube and look up the David Hurwitz video for June 2, 2021, titled “Review Update: Ormandy Edition Problem Fixed”-------------------------------------------Photos: Ormandy/Columbia LPs of music by contemporary American composers.--- 120 CDs remastered using 24 bit /96 kHz technology with original jackets and a 208 page hardcover book.--- These are all the mono LPs Ormandy recorded for Columbia Masterworks (CBS) between 1944 and 1958.Ormandy stereo recordings were made for Columbia between 1957 and 1968, and for RCA between 1968 and 1980.Followed by albums for EMI and smaller companies.Those Columbia stereo recordings established the “Philadelphia Sound” in the public mind.Ormandy’s interpretations did not change all that much between the ‘50s and the ‘60s (Ormandy was born in 1899), so the major difference between the Columbia monos and Columbia stereos is the orchestral sound.Listeners accustomed to the luscious “Philadelphia Sound” in stereo may be disappointed with the tighter, more focused sound of the Columbia monos.To my mind, the monos are not better or worse, just different.Approximately 75% of the contents of the Sony mono box were duplicated in stereo.This leaves about thirty CDs of music that Ormandy never recorded in stereo (see the list at the end of this review).CANINE MYSTERY:With a few exceptions, the Columbia monos were recorded in the orchestra’s home, The Academy of Music, an enormous auditorium with a very dry acoustic.Columbia engineers were never happy with the sound, and tried a number of experiments to add warmth to the LPs.Most infamous was the barking dog on the 1947 recording of Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherezade (CD 15).From page 44 of the book: “Note: A microphone was placed in a stairwell to add reverberation, and it picked up the sound of a dog barking outside during (concertmaster) Alexander Hilsburg’s final solo”.The dog was easy to spot on LP, but he’s much more elusive on CD.In 2021, Sony remastering engineers attempted to erase Rover.They managed to remove nearly all of his barks, but were unable to remove one feeble woof @ 11:21 of track 4 (CD 15).[In 1957 Columbia engineers convinced Ormandy and the orchestra that a different recording venue would be needed for the new technology of stereo.The ballroom of Philadelphia’s Broadwood Hotel, with it's reverberant acoustic was selected.The Broadwood Hotel, succeeded by Philadelphia's Town Hall, were as much responsible for the “Philadelphia Sound” as Ormandy and the orchestra.]In the 1950s, the composers that Eugene Ormandy was most closely identified with were Rachmaninov, Sibelius, the Strausses (Johann & Richard) and Tchaikovsky (it wasn’t until the 1960s that Shostakovich joined their group).Four of the six were contemporaries of Ormandy.“Contemporary Music” meant something completely different back then.Nearly half the composers in this box were still alive (or recently deceased) when the recordings were set down.Ormandy in the ‘50s was a dedicated champion of American composers, and Columbia Records under Goddard Lieberson was eager to record their music.Not just Barber, Copland and Gershwin, but also Brand, Dello Joio, Gesensway, Hanson, Harris, Kennan, McDonald, Persichetti, Phillips, Piston, Schuman, Thomson, Vincent, White and Yardumian.CORRECTION:One recording is missing from the index (page 157).On April 2, 1950, Ormandy recorded three Rachmaninov Preludes in orchestrations by Lucien Cailliet: Op.3,No.2 / Op.23,No.5 / Op.32,No.5.All three are on CD 31, but the index fails to list Op.23,No.5.The confusion was probably caused when CBS decided to include only two of the preludes as fillers for the Istomin recording of Concerto 2 on CD 82.PART ONE OF THREE: MUSIC THAT ORMANDY DID NOT RE-RECORD IN STEREO(American composers are listed at the end)ALBENIZ Iberia (CD 92)BACH:---- Fantasia & Fugue BWV 537 orch. Elgar (CD 78)---- Fantasia & Fugue BWV 542 (CD 78)---- Prelude & Fugue BWV 546 (CD 78)---- Choral Prelude BWV 741 “Ach Gott, vom Himmel sieh darein” (CD 78)---- Violin ConcertI BWV 1041 (Stern) and BWV 1042 (Oistrakh) (CD 79)BARTOK Piano Concerto No.3 (Sandor) (CD 24)BEETHOVEN:---- Coriolan Overture (CD 43)---- Concerto for Piano No.5 (Serkin CD 36) + (Istomin CD 115)---- Concerto for Violin (Francescatti) (CD 35)---- Violin Romance No.2 (Krachmalnick) (CD 45)BERG Three excerpts from Wozzeck (CD 27)BERLIOZ Three orchestral excerpts from Damnation of Faust (CD 110)BRAHMS:---- Hungarian Dance No.6 (CD 106)---- Serenade No.2 movements 3 & 5 (CD 91)BRUCH Kol Nidrei (Piatigorsky, cello) (CD 8)CHABRIER Larghetto for Horn (Jones) (CD 45)CHAUSSON Poeme (Francescatti, violin) (1950, CD 35) + (1957, CD 109)DEBUSSY:---- Iberia from Images pour orchestra (CD 38)---- La Damoiselle elue (Sayao, soprano) (CD 6)DVORAK:---- Carnival Overture (CD 108)---- Slavonic Dance Op.72, No.2 (CD 6)GABRIELI Sonata pian’ e forte (CD 91)HANDEL:---- Concerto HWV335a (early study for Royal Fireworks Music) (CD 22)---- Oboe Concerto HWV287 (Tabuteau) (CD 45)HAYDN:---- Symphonies No.7 & 45 (CD 48)---- Symphony No.88 (CD 28)--- Symphonies No.99 & 100 (CD 114)HINDEMITH Nobilissima Visione (CD 23)HONEGGER Jeanne d’Arc au bucher (CD 49)KABALEVSKY Comedians Suite (CD 93)KHACHATURIAN Gayane Suite (CD 93)LEHAR:---- Eva Waltz (CD 60)---- Gold & Silver Waltz (CD 60)---- Merry Widow: Waltz Intermezzo and Vilja-Lied (CD 60)---- Land of Smiles: Dein ist mein ganzes Herz (CD 60)LISZT Les Preludes (CD 14)MIASKOVSKY Symphony No.21 (CD 24)MILHAUD Concerto for Percussion (CD 91)MOZART:---- Symphony No.40 (CD 84)---- Piano Concerto No.20 (Serkin) (CD 36)---- Violin Concerto No.4 (Oistrakh) (CD 81)PAGANINI Violin Concerto No.1 (Francescatti) (CD 81)PROKOFIEV:---- Symphony No.7 (CD 51)---- Scythian Suite (CD 21)RACHMANINOV:---- Isle of the Dead (CD 76) *---- Preludes, orch. Cailliet: Op.3,No.2 -- Op.23,No.5 -- Op.32,No.5 (CD 31)RAVEL:---- Daphnis et Chloe Suite No.1 (CD 30)---- Tzigane (Stern, violin) (CD 103)RESPIGHI Ancient Airs & Dances Suite 3: Arie di corte (CD 1)SCHOENBERG Verklarte Nacht (CD 30)STRAUSS (Eduard) Bahn frei Polka (CD 43)STRAUSS (Johann II):---- Die Fledermaus (complete opera sung in English with Metropolitan Opera) (CDs 33/34)---- Die Fledermaus Suite (CD 95)---- Eine Nacht in Venedig Overture (CD 43)---- Das Spitzentuch der Konigin Overture (CD 52)---- Waldmeister Overture (CD 52)---- Zigeunerbaron Overture (CD 20)---- Accelerationen Waltz (CD 43)---- Tik-Tak Polka (CD 52)---- Egyptian March (CD 52)---- Perpetuum mobile (CD 43)STRAUSS (Josef):---- Schwert und Leier Waltz (CD 95)---- Spharenklange Waltz (CD 95)STRAUSS (Richard):---- Serenade Op.7 (CD 91)---- Feuersnot Love Scene (CD 97)---- Frau ohne Schatten Symphonic Fantasia (CD 116)STRAVINSKY Le Sacre du printemps (CD 72)SUPPE Beautiful Galatea Overture (CD 102)THOMAS Mignon Overture (CD 102)VIEUXTEMPS Violin Concerto No.4 (Francescatti) (CD 88)VIVALDI Concerto for Two Violins RV522 (Oistrakh & Stern) (CD 79)WAGNER:---- Parsifal: Transformation Music, Klingsor’s Magic Garden, Closing Scene (CD 80)---- Tristan und Isolde: Liebesnacht (CD 55)WALDTEUFEL---- España Waltz (CD 60)---- Pluie de diamants Waltz Suite (CD 60)WEBER:---- Der Freischutz Overture (CD 20)---- Adagio & Rondo (Munroe, cello) (CD 45)---- Concertino for Clarinet (Gigliotti) (CD 45)* The Philadelphia Orchestra issued a 1977 concert recording of Rachmaninov’s Isle of the Dead in stereo for the orchestra’s Centennial boxed set of CDs in 2000.CLASSIC AMERICAN COMPOSERS - music that Ormandy did not re-record in stereo:- GOTTSCHALK Cakewalk Ballet Suite (CD 44)- GRIFFES Poem (Kincaid, flute) (CD 45)- VICTOR HERBERT:---- American Fantasy (CD 117)---- Irish Rhapsody (CD 117)---- Panamericana (CD 117)---- Fortune Teller Suite (CD 117)---- Naughty Marietta Suite (CD 117)CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN COMPOSERS - music that Ormandy did not re-record in stereo:- BRAND The Wonderful One-Hoss Shay (CD 27)- DELLO JOIO Variations, Chaconne & Finale (CD 111)- GESENSWAY Four Squares of Philadelphia (CD 85)- HANSON Serenade for Flute, Harp & String Orchestra (CD 2)- HARRIS Symphony No.7 (CD 83)- KENNAN Night Soliloquy (CD 2)- KERN Show Boat - Scenario for Orchestra (conducted by Andre Kostelanetz) (CD 119)- McDONALD:---- My Country at War (CD 2)---- Children’s Symphony (conducted by the composer) (CD 27)- PERSICHETTI Symphony No.4 (CD 85)- PHILLIPS Concert Piece for Bassoon (Schoenbach) (CD 45)- PISTON Symphony No.4 (CD 71)- RODGERS:---- South Pacific: Scenario for Orchestra (conducted by Andre Kostelanetz) (CD 119)---- Slaughter on 10th Avenue (conducted by Andre Kostelanetz) CD 119)- SCHUMAN:---- Symphony No.3 (CD 38)---- Symphony No.6 (CD 71)---- Credendum (CD 98)- THOMSON:---- Louisiana Story (CD 27)---- Five Songs from William Blake (Mack Harrell, baritone) (CD 64)---- Three Pictures for Orchestra (conducted by the composer) (CD 64)---- Five Portraits (conducted by the composer) (CD 27)- WHITE Sea Chanty (CD 2)- YARDUMIAN:---- Armenian Suite (CD 70)---- Desolate City (CD 70)---- Psalm 130 (CD 70)BARBER Adagio for Strings, COPLAND Billy the Kid, GERSHWIN Rhapsody in Blue, VINCENT Symphony in D, and YARDUMIAN Violin Concerto were recorded in both mono and stereo.Ormandy recorded the complete COPLAND Appalachian Spring ballet in mono (CD 94), but only the Suite in stereo for RCA.[STEREO ONLY: Significant additions to Ormandy’s American discography at this time were Harris Symphony No.3, Persichetti Symphony No.9, Schuman Symphony No.9, and a lot of Charles Ives.]--------------------------------------------------------------------PART TWO: ORMANDY CBS MONOS NEVER RE-RECORDED IN STEREO - IN NUMERICAL ORDERalso Philadelphia Orchestra recordings not conducted by Ormandy *CD 1 RESPIGHI Ancient Airs & Dances Suite 3: Arie di corteCD 2HANSON Serenade for Flute, Harp & String OrchestraKENNAN Night SoliloquyMcDONALD My Country at WarWHITE Sea ChantyCD 6DEBUSSY La Damoiselle elue (Sayao soprano)DVORAK Slavonic Dance Op.72, No.2* FERNANDEZ Batuque conducted by Saul Caston* GLIERE Russian Sailor’s Dance conducted by Saul CastonCD 8 BRUCH Kol Nidrei (Piatigorsky, cello)CD 14 LISZT Les PreludesCD 20STRAUSS (Johann II) Zigeunerbaron OvertureWEBER Der Freischutz OvertureCD 21 PROKOFIEV Scythian SuiteCD 22 HANDEL Concerto HWV335a (early study for Royal Fireworks Music)CD 23HINDEMITH Nobilissima Visione+ Hindemith Symphonic Metamorphosis on Themes by Weber: George Szell, Cleveland OrchestraCD 24MIASKOVSKY Symphony No.21BARTOK Piano Concerto No.3 (Sandor)CD 26* SAINT-SAENS Cello Concerto No.1 (Piatigorsky) conducted by Alexander Hilsberg* TCHAIKOVSKY Violin Concerto (Stern) conducted by Alexander HilsbergCD 27BERG Three excerpts from WozzeckBRAND The Wonderful One-Hoss ShayTHOMSON Louisiana Story* THOMSON Five Portraits conducted by the composer* McDONALD Children’s Symphony conducted by the composerCD 28HAYDN Symphony No.88+ Haydn Symphony No.92: George Szell, Cleveland OrchestraCD 30RAVEL Daphnis et Chloe Suite No.1SCHOENBERG Verklarte NachtCD 31RACHMANINOV Preludes, orch. Cailliet: Op.3,No.2 -- Op.23,No.5 -- Op.32,No.5+ Honegger: Concertino for Piano & Orchestra (Oscar Levant) Fritz Reiner, Columbia Symphony33/34 STRAUSS (Johann II) Die Fledermaus with Metropolitan Opera, sung in English translationCD 35BEETHOVEN Concerto for Violin (Francescatti)CHAUSSON Poeme (Francescatti) first recording (1950)CD 36BEETHOVEN Concerto for Piano No.5 (Serkin)MOZART Piano Concerto No.20 (Serkin)CD 38DEBUSSY Iberia from Images pour orchestraSCHUMAN Symphony No.3CD 43BEETHOVEN Coriolan OvertureSTRAUSS (Eduard) Bahn frei PolkaSTRAUSS (Johann II) Eine Nacht in Venedig OvertureSTRAUSS (Johann II) Accelerationen WaltzSTRAUSS (Johann II) Perpetuum mobileCD 44GOTTSCHALK Cakewalk Ballet Suite* BERNSTEIN Fancy Free: Dance Variations conducted by Alexander Hilsberg* WALTON Façade: Four Dances conducted by Alexander Hilsberg+ Gould: Fall River Legend: Dimitri Mitropoulos, New York PhilharmonicCD 45BEETHOVEN Violin Romance No.2 (Krachmalnick)CHABRIER Larghetto for Horn (Jones)GRIFFES Poem (Kincaid, flute)HANDEL Oboe Concerto HWV287 (Tabuteau)PHILLIPS Concert Piece for Bassoon (Schoenbach)WEBER Adagio & Rondo (Munroe, cello)WEBER Concertino for Clarinet (Gigliotti)CD 48 HAYDN Symphonies No.7 & 45CD 49 HONEGGER Jeanne d’Arc au bucherCD 51 PROKOFIEV: Symphony No.7CD 52STRAUSS (Johann II) Das Spitzentuch der Konigin OvertureSTRAUSS (Johann II) Waldmeister OvertureSTRAUSS (Johann II) Tik-Tak PolkaSTRAUSS (Johann II) Egyptian MarchCD 55 WAGNER Tristan und Isolde: LiebesnachtCD 60LEHAR Eva WaltzLEHAR Gold & Silver WaltzLEHAR Merry Widow: Waltz Intermezzo and Vilja-LiedLEHAR Land of Smiles: Dein ist mein ganzes HerzWALDTEUFEL España WaltzWALDTEUFEL Pluie de diamants Waltz SuiteCD 64THOMSON Five Songs from William Blake (Mack Harrell, baritone)* THOMSON Three Pictures for Orchestra conducted by the composerCD 70YARDUMIAN Armenian SuiteYARDUMIAN Desolate CityYARDUMIAN Psalm 130CD 71PISTON Symphony No.4SCHUMAN Symphony No.6CD 72 STRAVINSKY Le Sacre du printempsCD 76 RACHMANINOV Isle of the DeadCD 78BACH Fantasia & Fugue BWV 537 orch. ElgarBACH Fantasia & Fugue BWV 542BACH Prelude & Fugue BWV 546BACH Choral Prelude BWV 741 “Ach Gott, vom Himmel sieh darein”CD 79BACH Violin Concerto BWV 1041 (Stern)BACH Violin Concerto BWV 1042 (Oistrakh)VIVALDI Concerto for Two Violins RV522 (Oistrakh & Stern)CD 80 WAGNER Parsifal: Transformation Music, Klingsor’s Magic Garden, Closing SceneCD 81MOZART Violin Concerto No.4 (Oistrakh)PAGANINI Violin Concerto No.1 (Francescatti)CD 83HARRIS Symphony No.7+ Harris Symphony No.1: Serge Koussevitzky, Boston SymphonyCD 84 MOZART: Symphony No.40CD 85GESENSWAY Four Squares of PhiladelphiaPERSICHETTI Symphony No.4CD 88 VIEUXTEMPS Violin Concerto No.4 (Francescatti)CD 91BRAHMS Serenade No.2 movements 3 & 5GABRIELI Sonata pian’ e forteMILHAUD Concerto for PercussionSTRAUSS (Richard) Serenade Op.7CD 92 ALBENIZ IberiaCD 93KABALEVSKY Comedians SuiteKHACHATURIAN Gayane SuiteCD 94 COPLAND Appalachian Spring complete balletCD 95STRAUSS (Johann II) Die Fledermaus SuiteSTRAUSS (Josef) Schwert und Leier WaltzSTRAUSS (Josef) Spharenklange WaltzCD 97 STRAUSS (Richard) Feuersnot Love SceneCD 98SCHUMAN Credendum+ Kirchner Piano Concerto No.1 (composer, piano) Dimitri Mitropoulos, New York PhilharmonicCD 102SUPPE Beautiful Galatea OvertureTHOMAS Mignon Overture* BERLIOZ Roman Carnival Overture conducted by Alexander Hilsberg* SUPPE Light Cavalry Overture conducted by Alexander HilsbergCD 103 RAVEL Tzigane (Stern, violin)CD 106 BRAHMS Hungarian Dance No.6CD 108 DVORAK Carnival OvertureCD 109CHAUSSON Poeme (Francescatti violin) second recording (1957)* SAINT-SAENS Havanaise (Francescatti) conducted by William Smith* SARASATE Ziguenerweisen (Francescatti) conducted by William SmithCD 110 BERLIOZ Three Orchestral excerpts from Damnation of FaustCD 111 DELLO JOIO Variations, Chaconne & FinaleCD 114 HAYDN Symphonies No.99 & 100CD 115 BEETHOVEN Concerto for Piano No.5 (Istomin)CD 116 STRAUSS (Richard) Frau ohne Schatten Symphonic FantasiaCD 117HERBERT American FantasyHERBERT Irish RhapsodyHERBERT PanamericanaHERBERT Fortune Teller SuiteHERBERT Naughty Marietta SuiteCD 118* BEETHOVEN Symphony No.6 conducted by Bruno Walter* SCHUBERT Symphony No.8 conducted by Bruno WalterCD 119* BERNERS Triumph of Neptune Ballet Suite conducted by Sir Thomas Beecham* ROSSINI Semiramide Overture conducted by Sir Thomas Beecham* KERN Show Boat: Scenario for Orchestra conducted by Andre Kostelanetz* RODGERS Slaughter on 10th Avenue conducted by Andre Kostelanetz* RODGERS South Pacific: Scenario for Orchestra conducted by Andre Kostelanetz* Philadelphia Orchestra, but not conducted by Ormandy------------------------------------------------------------PART THREE: MONO RECORDINGS FROM 1957 THAT WERE ACTUALLY RECORDED IN STEREOA time of transition: the first stereo record players (and a limited number of stereo LPs) appeared on the market in 1957.I count sixteen mono recordings (2 hours of music) in this box that Columbia issued in stereo at a later date, but with different couplings.All the stereo recordings have been released on individual CDs, and will presumably appear in the hoped-for Ormandy stereo box.CD 99:-- Barber Adagio-- Borodin Nocturne-- Vaughan Williams Greensleeves FantasiaThe mono versions were used as fillers for the 1957 reissue of the 1952 mono Tchaikovsky Serenade for Strings (CD 99).The stereo versions were used as fillers for the 1960 stereo Tchaikovsky Serenade for Strings on an early stereo LP - MS 6224.CD 103:-- Wieniawski Violin Concerto No.2 with Isaac SternThis was only issued on LP in mono.The first stereo release was on CD, part of the “Isaac Stern: Life in Music” CD collection (1995), also included in Sony's 75 CD Isaac Stern box.CD 106:-- Brahms Hungarian Dances No.17-21-- Gliere Russian Sailors Dance-- Saint-Saens Danse MacabreCD 110:-- Liszt Mephisto Waltz-- Weber Invitation to the DanceThese selections were coupled on an early stereo LP - MS 6241, which is pictured on page 124 of the book.CD 108:-- Enesco Romanian Rhapsodies No.1 & 2Issued on an early stereo LP - MS 6018CD 111:-- John Vincent Symphony in Dissued on an early stereo LP - MS 6179 with a stereo recording of Vincent's Symphonic Poem After Descartes (1959).The stereo recordings of both Vincent works were issued on an Albany CD licensed from Sony.On the CD, they are coupled with Norman Dello Joio’s Air Power Symphonic Suite conducted by Ormandy (composed for a CBS documentary TV series), also recorded in stereo.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 







  
  
    Five stars isn't enough - not only the box set of the year, maybe of all time
  

*by A***R on Reviewed in the United States on May 1, 2021*

First off, wouldn't it have been nice if Amazon had actually listed this in new releases for classical box sets? They didn't, so I had no idea this was released two-and-a-half weeks ago. Same with the new Rodzinski box, which I just ordered from the UK because they don't have it here. But enough about Amazon.Okay, and others have had to endure for too many decades classical music snobs and critics deriding Eugene Ormandy. Relentlessly so, actually. I have stood up for Mr. Ormandy every time some dope does that. Why? Simply put, Ormandy was a great, great conductor, who had the uncanny ability to make any kind of music seem accessible to any kind of audience, be it kids or people not interested in classical music. There is a reason he was one of the all-time best-selling classical recording artists. He brought music to so many, who were weaned on his recordings and grew to not only love the music he did, but then sought out other conductors and recordings.In fact, my first introduction to a piece of classical music happened in the eighth grade, when my music appreciation teacher played The Moldau. I was bowled over by the music and the recording. I immediately asked him what album it was from and he showed me the cover - Columbia album with Ormandy conducting. That night, I made my parents take me to a record store, where they purchased the album for me. I played it to death on our big record player, which had nice sound, or so it seemed back in those days. It also played stereo, but we hadn't bought any of those new-fangled records yet and wouldn't until the following year - and yes, the first stereo album I bought was also Ormandy. And thus began my love of classical music. If I was searching for new music to discover, I always bought Ormandy doing it. And the fact that he championed so much American music was a real bonus. And the sound of the Philadelphia Orchestra, well, that was the cherry on the hot fudge sundae. I've been loud and clear that we needed Columbia to do a great box set like they had for Szell and Reiner, etc. And finally, we have it. And it's vastly amusing watching the snobs and critics who suddenly have come around and NOW think Ormandy was great and conveniently forget how they knocked him. And then there are a handful of snobs and dopey critics who still can't quite admit how good he was - they do it begrudgingly.I am ten discs in and I can already tell you this is the box set of the year. 120 discs, all his mono output. We can only drool and hope it sells well so they do all the Columbia stereo stuff because a lot of what's out on CD needs serious remastering. The mastering in this set is beyond superb. The mono sound is so clear and beautiful - the tone, the balances, everything. The earliest stuff sounds amazing, too, for having come from discs. But once we're in the tape era, holy smokes is it great sound. Then there are the performances - from disc one they are simply brilliant. As always with Ormandy, he makes music I've never really liked suddenly enjoyable, because there's no fuss with him - he just lets the music do its job and boy is there something to be said for that. I didn't know any of the performances on the first ten discs, and several have become instant favorites, even more so than some of the stereo counterparts he did. And the early disc of American music is so great. But his Brahms 4th is magnificent as is the Brahms' piano and violin concertos. The beauty of these performances and the sound is actually quite moving.I'll come back when I've heard more, but five stars isn't enough. Some of these humungous sets only get one printing, so I'd grab it pretty quick if I were you, and I am. The two-year-old Previn box, which I bought on day one, now sells for over $1,000 and that happened in the first year. Who knows how big this pressing was. There will be many pleasurable days and nights ahead with this amazing set. I think this is a rave.UPDATE: Fixed the typos :)  The glories of this set continue to bowl me over. Currently on disc twenty-one. So far, the best of the highlights (they're all highlights) for me is the Brahms stuff - great performances of the third and fourth symphonies and the couple of concertos. Also, a pretty terrific early Sibelius second, some beautifully done Richard Strauss, a wonderful Beethoven seventh, a perfect Scythian Suite and Respighi's Feste Romana. What a treat! Be back with more thoughts. So far, there's only been couple of CDs where the disc imperfections come through, but everything else sound truly splendid. And I cheated, of course, and listened to The Moldau - just as I remembered it.EDIT AGAIN: I'm on disc 40 now and it keeps getting better, as we're now in the tape years - and as astonishing as the pre-tape sound was, the clarity and brilliance of the tape years is unbelievable and we have to be grateful to Sony that all these tapes were preserved so beautifully. I listening to the gorgeous performance of William Schuman's third symphony right now.  Stunning.FURTHER UPDATE: It just gets better and better. So many highlights in this set, well, everything is pretty much a highlight. Only a couple of CDs have had tubby sound, but the rest are just magnificent. But it's the music making, it's the band, and the repertoire is so surprising sometimes.  And it occurs to me, of the eight reviews currently up here, I seem to be the only one who's actually heard this. Too bad Bruce R. got shorted a disc - nothing missing in mine, thankfully. I'm currently on disc 70, so 50 more to go. It's like the gift that keeps on giving. Better grab this before the price skyrockets, which I'm pretty sure it will.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 







  
  
    Addendum to earlier review!
  

*by D***E on Reviewed in the United States on April 16, 2021*

We're all familiar with Ormandy's stereo/digital recordings as they are readily available on CD, either new or used. This collection fills in a gap on CD of broad-ranging repertoire, much never re-recorded over Ormandy's long recording career. Note that Pristine Classics is in the middle of a projected 5-volume set of Ormandy/Philadelphia purely orchestral mono recordings on Victor made prior to the orchestras switch to Columbia. Note that Ormandy's historic soloist collaborations on Victor have rarely left the catalogue and are available on CD either new or used. There is one gap who's filling I believe would be appreciated. That would be a compilation of the complete Ormandy/Minneapolis Victor recordings. Here is a young Ormandy, energetic, intense, in charge of his first symphony orchestra. He, the board, and Victor took full advantage of a loosely written contract to engage the musicians in a recording frenzy of eclectic and varied repertoire! That said, kick back and enjoy this much welcomed set!(As an addendum to my earlier review, Pristine has commenced cleaning up and releasing the entire Ormandy/Minneapolis catalogue. Much of it never re-recorded through his long career, and much of it never re-released in later formats. The first volume is a revelation in interpretation, energy, and variety of chosen repertoire. The earnest rediscovery of the Ormandy legacy is in full swing!)

---

## Why Shop on Desertcart?

- 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016
- 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories
- 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price
- 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members)
- 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection
- ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews

**Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.com.ar/products/286562931-columbia-legacy](https://www.desertcart.com.ar/products/286562931-columbia-legacy)

---

*Product available on Desertcart Argentina*
*Store origin: AR*
*Last updated: 2026-04-24*