Revisiting Mercury Living Presence: 10 Speaker Corner Titles Worth Hearing

LINK TO FULL VIDEO

It’s been about two and a half years since I last talked about Mercury Living Presence records on the channel. Back then, I offered a general overview of the label and spotlighted five standout titles—mostly originals and some Classic Records pressings. But today, we’re diving deeper.

Thanks to an unexpected opportunity, I was recently able to round out my collection of Speaker Corner Mercury reissues, adding several titles I’d long overlooked. A sealed copy came with a catalog inside, and flipping through it nearly brought me to tears. There are dozens of must-have Mercury titles, many of which I’d let slip through my fingers.

Luckily, a good friend came to the rescue.

The Haul: How I Got These Titles

My friend Jim called with news that a major audiophile classical vinyl collection had just come to market. We put together a joint order—hundreds of titles, most of which he took, and I selected about 30. Among them were some of the Mercury titles I’m reviewing today, along with a few from Testament. Big thanks to Jim for including me in what I’m calling the deal of the century—many of these cost far less than current market prices.

So, without further ado, here are 10 standout Mercury Living Presence reissues from Speaker Corner, with brief notes on each.

1. Paul Paray – French Music (Debussy & Ravel)

Detroit Symphony Orchestra
This was new to me and instantly won me over. A lovely, impressionistic program conducted by Paul Paray—gorgeous tone and warmth. Played it with my morning coffee and it was just right. Highly recommended.

2. Paul Paray – Debussy: Nocturnes / Ravel: Daphnis et Chloé Suite

Detroit Symphony Orchestra
Already in my collection, this one was featured on the TAS Super Disc List and it earns its spot. Vivid, lush, atmospheric—exactly what you want from French orchestral music. Great dynamics and tone.

3. Antal Dorati – Copland: Appalachian Spring / Billy the Kid

London Symphony Orchestra
A 35mm magnetic film recording, and the results are stunning. You can hear how immersive and natural this sounds, especially in Appalachian Spring. This is one of those recordings that makes you stop and really listen.

4. Marcel Dupré – Organ Recital

St. Thomas Church, New York
Recording the organ is tough, but Mercury pulled it off beautifully. Previously I found this one a bit distorted on my older system—but on my current setup, it sings. Great bass, space, and balance. A standout in Mercury’s organ series.

5. Frederick Fennell – Winds in Hi-Fi

Eastman Wind Ensemble
One of the TAS staples for years. I finally grabbed a copy, and it’s terrific. If you like dynamic, band-centric works, this is essential. Mercury’s vivid recording style brings this to life. Bonus: fun, slightly quirky cover art.

6. Howard Hanson – Fiesta in Hi-Fi

Features works by McBride, Nelson, Mitchell, and Vardell
While not my favorite from the series, it’s still a fun listen. Lots of American composers represented, and it’s a reminder that Mercury was ahead of its time in supporting 20th-century American music.

7. Howard Hanson – The Black Maskers / Colin McPhee: Tabuh-Tabuhan

This one had eluded me for years. Another Super Disc List pick, and deservedly so. Great performances, and Speaker Corner’s pressing does it full justice. Deeply satisfying.

The Byron Janis Trio (Piano Recordings)

8. Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 2 – Byron Janis with Antal Dorati

Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra
Beautifully played and recorded—very engaging and detailed. I haven’t spent as much time with this one yet, but my first impressions are strong. A very solid addition to the Mercury piano catalog.

9. Liszt: Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 2 – Byron Janis

This is historically important—it’s the first 35mm magnetic film recording released by Mercury. Speaker Corner even recreated the original banner with a pasted-on design. The performance is brilliant, and the clarity is jaw-dropping. A real milestone.

10. Encore! – Byron Janis (Solo Piano)

Recorded in Moscow
This was the real surprise. Just solo piano—no orchestra—but it absolutely floored me. My original pressing can’t hold a candle to this reissue. Recorded in the Soviet Union during Mercury’s famed international trip, it’s intimate, dynamic, and incredibly revealing. If you want to hear what your system can really do, play this.

Final Thoughts

All ten of these Speaker Corner reissues are highly recommended. If you’re at all interested in the Mercury Living Presence catalog, these titles are a great entry point—and a treat for seasoned collectors.

A few tips:

• Don’t overpay—$50 or so for a mint used copy is fair.

• Many of these are now out of print, so they’re creeping up in price.

• If you find any sealed or near-mint copies, consider grabbing them while you can.

I’ll be highlighting more titles from this incredible label in future posts, but this batch really showcases the depth and variety of what Mercury accomplished—and how well Speaker Corner honored that legacy.

Here's a clean downloadable file Mercury Living Presence Speaker Corner Checklist quick reference table.