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Tchaikovsky -Concerto No. 1, Chicago Symphony Orchestra- 2 track reel to reel tape, 7 1/2 IPS
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  • Tchaikovsky -Concerto No. 1, Chicago Symphony Orchestra- 2 track reel to reel tape, 7 1/2 IPS
  • Tchaikovsky -Concerto No. 1, Chicago Symphony Orchestra- 2 track reel to reel tape, 7 1/2 IPS
  • Tchaikovsky -Concerto No. 1, Chicago Symphony Orchestra- 2 track reel to reel tape, 7 1/2 IPS
  • Tchaikovsky -Concerto No. 1, Chicago Symphony Orchestra- 2 track reel to reel tape, 7 1/2 IPS
Tchaikovsky -Concerto No. 1, Chicago Symphony Orchestra- 2 track reel to reel tape, 7 1/2 IPS
$200.00

Condition: Very Good
Description

Early RCA Stereo Orthophonic tape of Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 1 with Emil Gilels piano and Fritz Reiner conducting the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Inline stereo at 7½ ips captures a clean piano attack, powerful tuttis without grit, and Orchestra Hall ambience with a steady, fine grain hiss typical of careful 1950s duplication. It presents scale and color without strain and preserves a stable center image for the piano.

Playback notes
EQ is NAB at 7½ ips, two track inline stereo
Set azimuth by ear on the opening octave proclamations
Aim peaks around 200 to 250 nWb per meter for open climaxes

Movement timings
RCA inserted approximately five second pauses between movements

What to listen for
First movement Allegro non troppo e molto maestoso, granite octaves with clean leading edge and trumpet power without splatter
Second movement Andantino semplice, woodwind choir depth and quiet left hand detail into the reverb tail
Third movement Allegro con fuoco, tight Chicago rhythm and explosive tuttis that stay composed.
Details

Album: Tchaikovsky Concerto No. 1

Conductor: Fitz Reiner

Orchestra:

  • Chicago Symphony Orchestra

Label: RCA Victor

Year of Release: 1956

Duplicator: RCA Victor

Country: United States

Genre:

  • Classical

Reel: 7 1/2 IPS 7 inch Tape, 2 Track Tape
Track List

I. Allegro non troppo e molto maestoso - Allegro con spirito
II. Andantino semplice - Prestissimo -Tempo I
III. Allegro con fuoco
Tape Review

Gilels and Reiner bring precision and fire. The Chicago strings are taut, brass is monumental, and Gilels’ tone moves from hammered granite to pearly song without glare. On this 7½ ips Stereo Orthophonic reel, piano transients are crisp yet unforced, tuttis scale without congestion, and Orchestra Hall air rides naturally above a fine, stationary hiss. It feels like a microphone window into a great orchestra and pianist.

4 back comparison, reel at 7½ ips versus black vinyl LP

Noise floor and tails. Tape hiss is smooth and fixed, so reverb decay after big cadences stays audible. Black vinyl often overlays rumble or ticks that mask ambience.

Piano attack and bloom. The reel preserves hammer strike followed by body. Cutter and press limits on LP can shave the leading transient or harden it.

Massed brass and climaxes. Tape holds brass sheen without grit. Hot LP cuts may edge into splash or compression at tuttis.

Image stability and pitch. Inline two track preserves a locked center for the concerto’s piano. Off center LPs and groove wear can wander or blur the center line.

Bottom line
With correct alignment, ECS-8 delivers scale, color, and space with fewer mechanical artifacts than typical black vinyl copies, especially in the Andantino woodwind halos and the finale’s cymbal and triangle air.
About Two Track Tapes

Two-track stereo reels grew out of early post-war tape, when consumer releases were mostly mono (often with a “flip the reel” second side). Once in-line two-track (half-track) became standard, big tracks at 7.5 ips made great jazz and classical sound incredibly real. The industry eventually moved to 4-track because it was cheaper and offered more playing time- learn more here.

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