RCA Living Stereo Vinyl Comparison - Debussy / Ibert - Munch / BSO

LINK TO VIDEO

The Ultimate Vinyl Pressing Showdown: Debussy's La Mer with Charles Munch & the Boston Symphony Orchestra

Today, I’ll be covering a fascinating release—Debussy’s La Mer, also known as The Sea, performed by Charles Munch and the Boston Symphony Orchestra. This 1957 recording has seen multiple pressings, and I’ll be reviewing four of them to determine which one stands out. The results were surprising, so stick around!

The Living Stereo Series Update

Before diving into the pressings, a quick update on the Living Stereo situation at Analogue Productions: If you haven’t already, check out my video titled The Final Act for Analogue Productions Living Stereo for an in-depth look. As of now, ten titles from the main series and four from the Decca series are out of print. Some of the latest to disappear include Alexander Nevsky, Petrushka, and the Rubenstein Rachmaninoff recording.

Given the increasing scarcity, I recently picked up La Mer along with three other titles:

• Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons (which I didn’t own in any format)

• Rubenstein’s Chopin Concerto

• Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture (a tough original pressing to find)

These reviews aim to guide collectors toward the best versions, as investing in every pressing can be quite costly.

Understanding La Mer

Debussy’s La Mer is a unique composition that doesn’t fit into traditional symphonic structures. It’s not a symphony, concerto, or even a tone poem in the conventional sense. I’d categorize it as a symphonic sketch, with three movements that evoke different aspects of the sea. The music is impressionistic and fluid, painting a picture with sound rather than developing repeating themes. The orchestration is stunning, creating an immersive listening experience.

The Four Pressings Reviewed

1. RCA White Dog Pressing (Indianapolis)

This was the first pressing I listened to, and my impression remained consistent with past experiences. It had a soft, misty veil over the sound—like a watercolor painting of the music. The climaxes felt subdued, lacking the definition and separation that could bring the piece to life. While some might argue that this was the intended sound, I suspected better versions existed.

2. RCA Victrola Plum Label Pressing

The Victrola pressing features La Mer on one side and Ravel’s Rapsodie Espagnole on the other. While the sound was clearer and more dynamic than the White Dog, the increase in tape hiss was noticeable—indicating it was likely sourced from a copy tape. Despite the hiss, it had a more modern and spacious presentation, making it an improvement but still not the ultimate choice.

3. RCA Red Seal .5 Series Pressing

This pressing was part of RCA’s attempt to compete with Mobile Fidelity’s audiophile releases. Half-speed mastered and pressed in Germany on Teldec vinyl, the 0.5 Series was met with skepticism from audiophiles.

While the quiet sections were beautiful, the string tone was harsher, and the brass climaxes became piercing and unpleasant. It had clarity but lacked warmth and balance. This pressing is not recommended.

4. Analogue Productions Pressing (The Clear Winner!)

When I picked up the Analogue Productions version, I hoped they had worked some magic with this recording—and they did! This pressing is on a whole different level. The clarity, depth, and balance are remarkable. There’s no harshness, no over-detailing—just a natural, immersive sound.

The woodwinds, harp, and strings sound exquisite, and for the first time, I could clearly hear the bass drum. The entire sonic picture of La Mer was transformed. It’s astonishing that we’ve lived with subpar versions for so long, but now we finally have a definitive edition.

Final Verdict: A Must-Have Pressing

If you’re wondering which pressing to get—go for the Analogue Productions release. It’s a must-have and stands head and shoulders above the rest. Even if you own an early 1S/1S shaded dog pressing, I doubt it compares to this. Ryan K. Smith mastered this version beautifully, bringing out the full magic of La Mer in a way that previous pressings simply failed to do.

I don’t always declare a pressing an absolute must-own, but this one earns that title. If you’re serious about collecting Living Stereo records, don’t miss out on this masterpiece!