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Haydn: Symphonies Nos. 93 to 104 "Salomon") (London Philharmonic, Eugen Jochum conducting; Deutsche Grammophon; 6 LPs; $33). Individually, these symphonies delight unceasingly with their diversity, wit, bounteous melody and, at times, power. Collectively, they are the crown of Haydn's lifework. Though particular tastes may lean, say, to SzelFs "Surprise" or Bernstein's "London," this is by far the best integral set available of the complete dozen. At 71, Jochum eloquently states the case for interpretative orthodoxy...
Bach: Goldberg Variations; Variations in the Italian Style, Harpsichordist Igor Kipnis (Angel; 2 LPs; $11.98). The Art of Igor Kipnis, Vol. 2 (Columbia; 3 LPs; $9.98). Having surrendered America's finest harpsichordist to Angel two years ago, Columbia continues to reissue the superlative albums he originally taped for the now defunct Epic classical label. Included here are choice anthologies of English, German and Austrian music (late 16th century to the 18th) for clavichord as well as harpsichord. Meanwhile, Kipnis, 43-year-old son of the great Russian basso Alexander, moves on. His Goldbergs boast boldly colored registrations, an entertaining...
Prokofiev: Romeo and Juliet (Cleveland Orchestra, Lorin Maazel, conductor; London; 3 LPs; $17.94. London Symphony Orchestra, Andre Previn, conductor; Angel; 3 LPs; $17.98). A typical instance of how the classical record industry can drive its customers berserk and eat up its own profits. The complete version of this score has been almost totally neglected since the LP's birth 25 years ago; now come two competing versions. Ah, free enterprise! Both sets manage to confirm that this is the finest evening-length ballet score since Tchaikovsky. Neither, as it happens, quite equals the poetry and passion of Charles Munch...
Puccini: La Bohème (Mirella Freni, Luciano Pavarotti, Berlin Philharmonic, Herbert von Karajan, conductor; London; 2 LPs; $11.96). The LP era has had three recordings of Bohème good enough to be called great. The first two were the Toscanini (with Licia Albanese and Jan Peerce as Mimi and Rodolfo) and the Beecham (Victoria de los Angeles and Jussi Bjoerling), both still available in low-priced reissues. Here is the third, with the unpredictable Karajan sculpting the orchestral part with an irresistible flow befitting the Toscanini approach and a touching songfulness that Beecham might have applauded. The bella...
Besides stimulating profits and memories, the mail-order LPs have revitalized some lagging careers. After Chubby Checker's plug for the rock-'n'-roll collection began appearing on TV, his popularity zoomed, enabling him to boost his fee for a nightclub date from $500 to as much as $5,000 a night...