Episode 1: A special personality

Our opening episode reflects on the birth and evolution of Mercury Living Presence and the people who shaped its distinctive sound. Through interviews with music historian Michael Gray and mastering engineer Tom Fine (son of the original Mercury Living Presence producer, Wilma Cozart Fine, and original recording engineer C. Robert 'Bob' Fine), we explore how the label became a leading force in classical music, earning global acclaim for its imaginative repertoire, novel recording techniques and evocative LP releases.

We also uncover the stories behind some of the label’s most beloved and influential recordings, from 1951’s Pictures at an Exhibition (produced with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra), to its spectacular recording of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 overture, plus collaborations with Byron Janis, Frederick Fennell, Howard Hanson and the London Symphony Orchestra.

‘Trust Your Ears’: The Mercury Living Presence story is produced by dCS in partnership with Decca Records.

More information about the series, which celebrates the 70th anniversary of Mercury Living Presence and the catalogue’s re-release on streaming services, is available here: https://www.dcsltd.co.uk/reviews/trust-your-ears/

Featured Music

Mussorgsky Pictures at an Exhibition (Rafel Kubelík, Chicago Symphony Orchestra), 1951

Tchaikovsky - 1812 Overture (Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra, University Of Minnesota Brass Band & Antal Dorati), 1954

Respighi: Ancient Airs & Dances Suite No.2 (Philharmonia Hungarica, Antal Dorati), 1958

HiFi A La Espanola - Andalucia (Eastman-Rochester Pops, Frederick Fennell), 1960

Bach Suite No. 2 for Solo Cello (Janos Starker), 1966

Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 1. (Byron Janis, Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra, Kyril Kondrashin), 1962

Tchaikovsky - The Nutcracker Ballet, Dance Of The Sugar Plum Fairies (Antal Durati, London Symphony Orchestra), 1962