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Reiner/CSO – Also Sprach Zarathustra sealed Classic Records 2 LP Clarity test pressing box set

$200.00

Free U.S. shipping!  A still sealed, Clarity vinyl 2 LP single-sided test pressing of the Classic Records 200 gram issue of Also Sprach Zarathustra, performed by Fritz Reiner and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra

1 in stock

Description

Offered for sale is a 2 LP Clarity vinyl single-sided test pressing of the 200 gram 33 1/3 RPM release of Also Sprach Zarathustra, performed by Fritz Reiner and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, pressed by Classic Records.

This title was never released commercially on the clear Clarity vinyl; all stock copies were black.  This copy is #5 of 20 boxed test pressings of this title.

Had the album been released commercially, it would have been released as one two-sided LP; this set of two single-sided discs was created only for test purposes.

About this copy: This copy of Also Sprach Zarathustra is a test pressing, manufactured by Classic Records in 2010 as a test for a planned release on Clarity vinyl that never happened due to the company’s bankruptcy.

The album was originally released in 1960 on the RCA label.

The album had been commercially released by Classic Records as a 180 and 200 gram pressings at 33 1/3 RPM, and as 180 and 200 gram pressings at 45 RPM, with all pressed on regular black vinyl or the black Quiex vinyl.

This test pressing was pressed on the clear “Clarity” vinyl that Classic was just beginning to use for all of their titles shortly before they went out of business in 2010.

The two discs in this set play at 33 1/3 RPM, but are single-sided.

This set is packaged in a box, with a sticker that says, “Classic Records 5 of 20 Limited Edition.”

The box is still sealed and has two Classic Records hologram stickers on the box.  There is a sticker on the spine that says, “Classic Records LSC 1806 Clarity A1,B1 (1st Lacquer.)”

The wrap is fully intact with no rips, tears or holes.  The records are presumably new and unplayed.

A beautiful copy of a very rare and highly sought-after classical title.  Great recording, too!

Background: Originally released in 1960, RCA’s release of Also Sprach Zarathustra by Fritz Reiner and the Chicago Symphony has become one the most sought-after classic records ever released, with original U.S. pressings often selling for $500 or more.

In the early 1960s, RCA Records began releasing classical albums in stereo, and the titles released between 1960 and 1963 have long been sought out by audiophiles.  These early RCA pressings offered great dynamics and wide, impressive soundstages.

Unfortunately, those RCA pressings also sold in limited numbers when new and finding mint used copies has become quite difficult.

Classic Records began reissuing many of these titles in the mid 1990s, first as 180 gram 33 1/3 LPs, and later as limited edition pressings cut at 45 RPM on multiple, single-sided discs for optimum sound quality.  Some of these titles were pressed multiple times at different weights and types of vinyl.

Shortly before they went out of business in 2010, Classic began experimenting with clear, “Clarity” vinyl, which offered a quieter playing surface than black vinyl.  Only a few titles were released using this formulation.

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Country of origin: U.S.
Size: 12″
Record Label: Classic Records
Catalog Number:
LSC-1806
Year of Release: 2010
Format: Stereo
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Additional information

Weight 32 oz
Dimensions 13 × 13 × 1.25 in