Listening to Now (In Surround) - Volume 2

[Lute]

This set came out last year. It includes that DG recording of the 5th & 7th that you mentioned with the surround mix. Plus... You also get his famous recording of Brahms's 4 symphony, which many people consider to be the best ever of that symphony. Schubert's unfinished symphony is also included. All the symphonies are in 5.0 and on one Bluray.

(But, just to avoid confusion, the 2 alternative recordings with the red covers that I posted above are not included. They are on another label, Orfeo. But, those are also in surround on Mch SACDs and sound great!)

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00K03VZXS/?tag=sacdinfocom-20

 

[Clint Eastwood]

View attachment 18010

This set came out last year. It includes that DG recording of the 5th & 7th that you mentioned with the surround mix. Plus... You also get his famous recording of Brahms's 4 symphony, which many people consider to the best ever of that symphony. Schubert's unfinished symphony is also included. All the symphonies are on one Bluray.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00K03VZXS/?tag=sacdinfocom-20

The only thing I don't like about it is the one thing that most people cite as the "key" to distribution success...it includes 3 CD's that equal the one blu ray for content...so you end up with 4 discs....now what I like about Tacet's approach is they offer you a blu ray with everything on it and forget about including low res products(CD's)as some sort of "bargain"..in other words they know who their target audience is(hi rez lovers)and aren't trying to please everybody...like this title that has 147 minutes of music on it..and no Walmart "blue light special"(CD's)..if I want a CD it's because no version(or no good version) of the title is available in hi rez...

guys like Adam need all the storage space for their collection they can get..so extra cd's aren't a bonus for avid collectors either..

 

[fredblue]

Yikes!! I just saw it's OOP...

How unusual...! @:

 

[Lute]

They took the lead from SACD I guess (which I can see the appeal of with Hybrids and headless operation etc..) though the ripping thing is a pain in the ass.. you can easily get every other Hi-Res/surround format onto the computer now but SACD is still a bloody hassle.. funny how DVD-A never took off for Classical surround listeners and yet they've taken to BD-A.. hmm..

Part of the problem might have been that early DVDAs of Classical music had a digital edge. EMI DVDAs are a good example of this. Perhaps it was because the technology was still new. This problem isn't as noticeable on pop/rock. But, recently many QQ members are saying AF's recent Grover Washington - Winelight sounds better than the old DVDA. So, perhaps over the years PCM recordings/remasterings have gotten better.

 

[Clint Eastwood]

Part of the problem might have been that early DVDAs of Classical music had a digital edge. EMI DVDAs are a good example of this. Perhaps it was because the technology was still new. This problem isn't as noticeable on pop/rock. But, recently many QQ members are saying AF's recent Grover Washington - Winelight sounds better than the old DVDA. So, perhaps over the years PCM recordings/remasterings have gotten better.

In the early days of CD technology the "coldness" of the digital footprint was very evident...and it was fixed...of course if you ask some analog die hards they are going to tell you it was never fixed:music

 

[Lute]

The only thing I don't like about it is the one thing that most people cite as the "key" to distribution success...it includes 3 CD's that equal the one blu ray for content...so you end up with 4 discs....now what I like about Tacet's approach is they offer you a blu ray with everything on it and forget about including low res products(CD's)as some sort of "bargain"..in other words they know who their target audience is(hi rez lovers)and aren't trying to please everybody...like this title that has 147 minutes of music on it..and no Walmart "blue light special"(CD's)..if I want a CD it's because no version(or no good version) of the title is available in hi rez...

guys like Adam need all the storage space for their collection they can get..so extra cd's aren't a bonus for avid collectors either..

I completely agree! Myself and others over on SACD.net often moan about all these extra discs in these box sets.

But, I believe this Bluray is the first time Kleiber's recording of Brahms's 4 and Schubert's 3rd/8th have been released with a 5.0 mix. Perhaps there is a download. But, on SACD they were only released in 2-ch stereo by Japanese labels. The Esoteric SACDs are OOP and cost a fortune. I think you can still get the SHM-SACD of those Schubert symphonies.

 

[fredblue]

Part of the problem might have been that early DVDAs of Classical music had a digital edge. EMI DVDAs are a good example of this. Perhaps it was because the technology was still new. This problem isn't as noticeable on pop/rock. But, recently many QQ members are saying AF's recent Grover Washington - Winelight sounds better than the old DVDA. So, perhaps over the years PCM recordings/remasterings have gotten better.

Could be.. Got a few of those EMI DVD-A's (Previn's Planets & Walton/Balshazar.. Bolero.. Magnificat) I need to give them a proper listen.. like so many of these surround things there was a time they couldn't give them away, Virgin Megastore had almost all of them at a fiver apiece at one point, like an idiot I didn't get them there & then..!

 

[Lute]

I can also recommend TACET's cycle of Beethoven's symphonies. They are all in true discrete surround sound. I am eagerly waiting for their recording of Beethoven's 9th to come out. I heard a rumor that it's in the works.

For the 9th, you could try Karajan's famous 1976 recording... http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00006WL2B/?tag=sacdinfocom-20



But... My favorite modern recording of the 9th is http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006Z10BLG/?tag=sacdinfocom-20. It might not be discrete like TACET's, but Challenge Classics SACDs have a wide soundstage that sounds very natural and full. This is the best sounding recording of the 9th that I've ever listen to. Excellent performance, too.



Vriend's Beethoven cycle is also available in a small box set with no unnecessary RBCDs...http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006Z10BMK/?tag=sacdinfocom-20

 

[fredblue]

I completely agree! Myself and others over on SACD.net often moan about all these extra discs in these box sets.

But, I believe this Bluray is the first time Kleiber's recording of Brahms's 4 and Schubert's 3rd/8th have been released with a 5.0 mix. Perhaps there is a download. But, on SACD they were only released in 2-ch stereo by Japanese labels. The Esoteric SACDs are OOP and cost a fortune. I think you can still get the SHM-SACD of those Schubert symphonies.

Universal had probably been sitting on those surround mixes for 10-15 years (along with a shitload of others..) prior to this box set w/BD..!

 

[Clint Eastwood]

As I ponder the numerous aspects of classical music titles...it's time to go back to my roots..I'm now listening to Bryan Adams Reckless Blu Ray Audio...and I'm loving it:spot:walker

 

[fredblue]

As I ponder the numerous aspects of classical music titles...it's time to go back to my roots..I'm now listening to Bryan Adams Reckless Blu Ray Audio...and I'm loving it:spot:walker

Another 5.1 mix I suspect Universal had in the bag for some time (the 88.2khz sampling rate's a dead giveaway imho..)

 

[Clint Eastwood]

Another 5.1 mix I suspect Universal had in the bag for some time (the 88.2khz sampling rate's a dead giveaway imho..)

Yep...at least it escaped the vault...many others are still being held against their will:nuke

 

[kap'n krunch]

I can also recommend TACET's cycle of Beethoven's symphonies. They are all in true discrete surround sound. I am eagerly waiting for their recording of Beethoven's 9th to come out. I heard a rumor that it's in the works.

For the 9th, you could try Karajan's famous 1976 recording... http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00006WL2B/?tag=sacdinfocom-20

View attachment 18012

But... My favorite modern recording of the 9th is http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006Z10BLG/?tag=sacdinfocom-20. It might not be discrete like TACET's, but Challenge Classics SACDs have a wide soundstage that sounds very natural and full. This is the best sounding recording of the 9th that I've ever listen to. Excellent performance, too.

View attachment 18013

Vriend's Beethoven cycle is also available in a small box set with no unnecessary RBCDs...http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006Z10BMK/?tag=sacdinfocom-20

View attachment 18014

Can anybody suggest a PROPER version of the 6th Symphony...(never heard Baremboim's version. I got too late in the game and it has always been too expensive for me to get it.
My fave so far is the 70's EMI version, Eugen Jochin's version...

 

[GOS]

BOB MARLEY - LEGEND (Blu-Ray Audio)

If by any slim chance that you remotely like Marley...and don't have this....eh.....what are you waiting for? No disappointment....

 

[JanBakker]

Great stuff :51banana: Lute you will love this :banana:.

 

[Cibola]

This one sure gets mixed reviews in the poll thread. I find it to have a pleasant openness with good definition of instruments. The mix is subtle at times but the surrounds are used frequently for emphasis while also lightly ambient in the fronts. I'm good with the content so leaning towards a strong eight.

 

[Lute]

Can anybody suggest a PROPER version of the 6th Symphony...(never heard Baremboim's version. I got too late in the game and it has always been too expensive for me to get it.
My fave so far is the 70's EMI version, Eugen Jochin's version...

There are several excellent recent recordings on SACD.

If you've gotta have it immersive & discrete, then THIS is the one...
http://www.sa-cd.net/showtitle/5622




The following are ambient surround recordings in no particular order:

Herreweghe's HIP (historically informed performance) cycle has it's ups and downs. His 6th is one of the higher points. It's a bit up tempo, but has a nice freshness. Slightly close-miked, but the surround mix helps open up the recording.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0027DQHSC/?tag=sacdinfocom-20




Fischer's modern orchestra version on Channel Classics gives a lovely account and is very well recorded in DSD.
http://www.sa-cd.net/showtitle/6770




Haitink's modern orchestra account also has received good marks. And eventhough it was recorded in the notorious Barbican concert hall, the sound is good.
http://www.sa-cd.net/showtitle/3822




For a Historically Informed Performance (HIP) on period instruments, Järvi has received a lot of praise. Sometimes I feel the sound is a little dry and the orchestra is on thin side. So, this might not be for listeners who like Big Beethoven. However; Järvi's performances are exciting and closer to how Beethoven might have heard his music performed.

http://www.sa-cd.net/showtitle/5739




I almost forgot this one by Vänskä on BIS label. It was one of the first Beethoven symphony cycles on SACD and has been very popular ever since. http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2010/Jan10/Beethoven_Vanska_bissacd1825.htm




And last but not least is Vriend's wonderful performance. One of the reasons I like Vriend's Beethoven is that he incorporates some elements of the HIP or period instrument approach, but he uses a large orchestra that creates a full and rich string sound. And Challenge Classics recording has plenty of detail but allows the sounds of the orchestra to fully expand and bloom.



Most of these cycles have been released on Mch SACDs in very reasonably priced box sets. It would probably be cheaper to buy them that way. And then, you can compare some of the performance styles and recording SQ. They all have strong points and weak points.

Many people think the Golden Age of Beethoven recordings was in the 1950/60/70s. There are plenty of big name conductors. But, most of their performances are heavily influenced by late Romantic composers, such as Wagner, Bruckner and Mahler. These later composers expanded the modern orchestra and created new styles of conducting. This is the Big Beethoven sound that has become so familiar.

But, Beethoven worked in the Classical era of Haydn and Mozart. The orchestra was smaller and more nimble. Historically Informed Performances (HIP) try to bring back the performance & conducting style of this era. They also use instruments from the era. This is what Beethoven knew and was familiar with.

 

[Clint Eastwood]

View attachment 18020This one sure gets mixed reviews in the poll thread. I find it to have a pleasant openness with good definition of instruments. The mix is subtle at times but the surrounds are used frequently for emphasis while also lightly ambient in the fronts. I'm good with the content so leaning towards a strong eight.

I like that one

 

[bmoura]

Fischer's modern orchestra version on Channel Classics gives a lovely account and is very well recorded in DSD.
http://www.sa-cd.net/showtitle/6770

View attachment 18018

The Ivan Fischer recordings on Channel Classics are just excellent. For a look inside the recording process of these SACDs and DSD Downloads, check this excellent video on Vimeo. Very educational!

https://vimeo.com/12109370

 

[Lute]

View attachment 18022

Great stuff :51banana: Lute you will love this :banana:.

Thank you so much! I am always on the look out for electronic music in surround!

I am just about to order it. But... Are there 2 versions of the same recording. Maybe one is a later reissue?

Do you know if it matters which one I choose? I mean they are both Mch SACDs, right?