RCA Living Stereo Vinyl - Walton Facade / Fistoulari / ROHO
LINK TO VIDEO
I have some news and updates from the Analog Productions Living Stereo situation, along with a review of a very special title: Facade.
The Analog Productions Living Stereo Situation
If you've been following this story, you might have seen my video titled The Final Act for Analog Productions Living Stereo. If not, this is a good place to catch up. In short, these titles are rapidly falling out of print. Since that video was published, we've lost several key recordings, including:
Charles Munch Bolero
Morton Gould’s Copland disc (Billy the Kid and Rodeo)
Petrushka (which went out of stock almost simultaneously with my video)
Rubenstein’s Rachmaninoff disc (which I urged everyone to get, and it stayed for a couple of weeks before disappearing)
Sibelius’ Symphony No. 5, which I recently reviewed
It’s been an interesting experience tracking the availability of these records. One viewer mentioned that they had just purchased Sibelius’ Symphony No. 5 the same day my video was released. Later that day, I checked the website and found it had already gone out of stock.
Given how quickly these titles are disappearing, I decided to order four more for myself. I'll keep those titles a surprise until the next video. One I will mention, however, is the Starker Hi-Fi disc, which I'll cover soon.
Another interesting development is that these records are no longer available through Amazon. I previously had them listed in my Amazon affiliate storefront, but I recently had to remove them because they are no longer available there. My guess is that Acoustic Sounds is consolidating stock to sell directly through their own store.
A viewer suggested that I ask Chad Kassem if he could provide updates on stock numbers. While that would be incredibly useful for buyers looking to prioritize their purchases, I don’t know if it would be beneficial for him. But if he’s watching, he has my number!
About Facade
Fortunately, the title I’m reviewing today—Facade—is still in stock as of this publication. This is a fascinating record by William Walton, recorded as part of Decca’s collaboration with RCA Living Stereo. There are conflicting reports about the recording location: Acoustic Sounds lists it as Walthamstow Assembly Hall, while Discogs says Watford Town Hall. If anyone knows for sure, let us know!
The record features Antal Doráti conducting the Royal Opera House Orchestra of Covent Garden, performing two light ballet scores: Facade and Leokadiya Kashperova’s Melancholy Waltz. Facade is particularly unique—it’s a humorous and irreverent take on various dance styles, including waltz, tango, Swiss yodeling song, country dance, polka, and tarantella.
Unlike some other Decca Living Stereo recordings engineered by Kenneth Wilkinson, this one was recorded by Ken Cross, who did a magnificent job capturing the sound of the orchestra and hall acoustics. Audiophiles often talk about the "hall sound," and this record exemplifies that concept beautifully. You can hear the reflections of woodblocks, triangles, and cymbals bouncing off the walls, giving a vivid sense of the space.
Originally composed in 1922, Facade was conceived as a satirical piece featuring poetry by Edith Sitwell. The spoken-word elements made it highly avant-garde for its time, and audiences were initially bewildered by its experimental nature. Today, it remains an entertaining and fascinating listen.
Comparing Pressings
Victrola Pressing
I have a Victrola pressing (plum label, 1S/1S). While this is a budget-friendly option ($25-$40), it suffers from significant tape hiss, which obscures some of the finer details. It retains some Living Stereo magic, but it’s not the best-sounding version.
Classic Records Pressing
Bernie Grundman’s Classic Records pressing is an absolute gem. It offers stunning clarity, depth, and nuance, with minimal tape hiss. The soundstage is vast, and details like percussive reflections are vividly presented. If you can find one, this is an excellent choice.
Analog Productions Pressing
The Analog Productions version, mastered by Willem Makkee, is also a strong contender. While it has slightly more tape hiss than the Classic Records pressing, it still delivers excellent sound quality. If you can’t find the Classic, this is a great alternative—and it’s still available from Acoustic Sounds as of now.
Conclusion
Facade is a fun, effervescent, and irreverent record that is sonically and musically engaging. The orchestration is lively, featuring deep bass, pizzicato strings, beautiful woodwinds, and dynamic contrast. If you’re looking for a change of pace in your collection, this is a fantastic choice. Be sure to audition it first to see if it suits your taste!
