Ernest Ansermet’s recording career stretches from the acoustic era through to his many LP recordings with L’Orchestre de la Suisse Romande.

Haydn – Symphony No.101 in D major “Clock”
I. Adagio – Presto
II. Andante
III. Minuetto and Trio: Allegretto
IV. Finale: Vivace
Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, Ernest Ansermet

Decca 10” LP – LX 3009
Matrices CB DRL 32-5W, CA DRL 33-5W
Recorded 1948
Released 1950

This recording was among the first of DECCA’s LP releases. It was mentioned in the 1951 second impression of The Record Guide. The brief paragraph on the 3 Haydn Symphonies then available on DECCA LP stated “Royalton Kisch’s excellent handling of No 99 is as successful on LP as on 78; even Petrouchka, though naturally more startling, is not superior to this issue in quality and truth of tone. Curiously enough, the “Clock” Symphony, though recorded by the same orchestra and conductor as Petrouchka, comes off rather badly, the strings sounding thin and papery. Solti’s “Drum-roll” is good, but not equal in tonal quality to his superb 78 version.”

On the LP, there is an extended pause after the second time bar in the first movement. This may be due to a transfer from 78rpm masters, or a tape editing problem (I’m unsure what format was used for the original recording). I have cut the pause out to keep the recording in line with the score.