SPOTLIGHT The classical music general discussion thread

[4-earredwonder]

Yeah, you can see the DDD marking on the pic of the back cover. Admittedly, there's only one reviewer saying it sounds harsh so maybe that's a reflection of that particular ear-hifi combo being too bright. I've ordered a copy anyway and I guess I'll find out sooner or later whether it's harsh-sounding or not... but if J Pupster can enjoy it then I'm pretty sure I can enjoy it as well

Its ashame there's not an affordable alternative on multichannel SACD. Will look forward to your assessment. Universal did release a few former early DDD recordings on mch/stereo SACD and they don't sound half bad.

 

[J. PUPSTER]

Yeah, you can see the DDD marking on the pic of the back cover. Admittedly, there's only one reviewer saying it sounds harsh so maybe that's a reflection of that particular ear-hifi combo being too bright. I've ordered a copy anyway and I guess I'll find out sooner or later whether it's harsh-sounding or not... but if J Pupster can enjoy it then I'm pretty sure I can enjoy it as well

Well Derek, I believe I saw a few LP versions (still recorded digitally) on discogs also. Several things to consider here in my case; 1- I'm an old fart and my hearing is probably not as high end sensitive as you young Bucks; 2- I'm not an audiophile; 3- Your equipment may be far superior to mine; and 4- I'm in no way an experienced classical listener. Also, I listened to it for the first time at fairly low volume, so I'll take what you've mentioned here, and really listen for those bright areas. Regardless, I truly enjoyed it.
Here's the version I have:

https://www.discogs.com/Pergolesi-M...hestra-Claudio-Abbado-Stabat-/release/1334083

 

[humprof]

I'm enjoying a bunch of quad reel transfers of Ormandy & Philadelphia on RCA Red Seal. Mostly warhorses (The Fantastic Philadelphians, vol. 2; Debussy & Ravel, etc.), but also the Sibelius 2d and--the real surprise--Shostakovich's 15th. Not discrete like the recent Prokofiev Nevsky/Kije on Dutton, but plenty immersive. Where did I come by these? QQ protocol frowns on going into detail about such things, but let me just drop the initials "C.B.," and note that his blog is back in commission after a health-related hiatus which I was beginning to fear was permanent. (He says he's "glad to still be on this side of the grass.")

 

[windhoek]

Well Derek, I believe I saw a few LP versions (still recorded digitally) on discogs also. Several things to consider here in my case; 1- I'm an old fart and my hearing is probably not as high end sensitive as you young Bucks; 2- I'm not an audiophile; 3- Your equipment may be far superior to mine; and 4- I'm in no way an experienced classical listener. Also, I listened to it for the first time at fairly low volume, so I'll take what you've mentioned here, and really listen for those bright areas. Regardless, I truly enjoyed it.
Here's the version I have:

https://www.discogs.com/Pergolesi-M...hestra-Claudio-Abbado-Stabat-/release/1334083

My copy of Sabat Mater by Pergolesi (the one conducted by Abbado) arrived yesterday and there are two things I want to say about it: first, it sounds completely fine from a shrillness point of view. I mean, my system is on the bright side of things so if it was unbearably shrill I would have noticed. And second, it's utterly amazing! Although I didn't have that semi-transcendental experience that I sort of had when I saw it being performed live, there's no doubt about it that this performance is so much better in every way - especially regarding the two singers as they sound like they're at the top of their game, as it were. Suffice to say I must have played it ten times yesterday and I'll probably do the same today

 

[J. PUPSTER]

My copy of Sabat Mater by Pergolesi (the one conducted by Abbado) arrived yesterday and there are two things I want to say about it: first, it sounds completely fine from a shrillness point of view. I mean, my system is on the bright side of things so if it was unbearably shrill I would have noticed. And second, it's utterly amazing! Although I didn't have that semi-transcendental experience that I sort of had when I saw it being performed live, there's no doubt about it that this performance is so much better in every way - especially regarding the two singers as they sound like they're at the top of their game, as it were. Suffice to say I must have played it ten times yesterday and I'll probably do the same today

Hey, I listened to it again today also; and was totally entranced by it. Maybe that perceived shrillness by others is just the performers hitting all the right high notes and being recorded in a sonically accurate fashion.

 

[humprof]

A profile of the Berlin Philharmonic's new conductor, Kirill Petrenko ("The Anti-Anti-Maestro") in the New York Times. Petrenko's first recording with Berlin--of Tchaikovsky's 6th--is available from the Phil's store. The download version seems to be stereo only, but the SACD includes a 5.0 mix.

 

[ubertrout]

Just saw that Channel is releasing Ivan Fischer & his BFO in the Beethoven 1st and 5th Symphonies. We don't really need another Beethoven cycle but I always welcome more from Fischer/BFO/Channel on SACD, and with this release they're over the hump on a cycle - they've already released 4, 6, and 7 on SACD, and that leaves 2, 3, 8, and 9...

I understand Das Lied von der Erde is in the can already to round out the almost-cycle of Mahler too, since Fischer is on the record saying he doesn't plan to record the 8th - https://www.limelightmagazine.com.au/features/ivan-fischer-mahlers-beauty-always-hurts/

 

[Lute]

Just listening to...

J.S. Bach: Brandenburg Concertos (complete)

Stuttgart Chamber Orchester

 

[H.A.L.]

Just listening to...

View attachment 43393

J.S. Bach: Brandenburg Concertos (complete)

Stuttgart Chamber Orchester

Great, now that I've caught up with the Auryn series, you let me know about this. My wallet is angry .

 

[Lute]

Great, now that I've caught up with the Auryn series, you let me know about this. My wallet is angry .

In a word, excellent. Tacet has also released this recording on SACDs.
The performances by the Stuttgart Chamber orchestra are top notch. This one is a bit unique, though, in that Tacet has experimented with different surround configurations for each concerto.

Here is a full review that explains this in depth. https://www.hraudio.net/showmusic.php?title=2796#reviews

 

[4-earredwonder]

Just listening to...

View attachment 43393

J.S. Bach: Brandenburg Concertos (complete)

Stuttgart Chamber Orchester

An EXCELLENT Long Playing DVD~A disc, Brett. Haven't played it in awhile but worth seeking out. BTW, when are you going to 'audition' Abbey Road Rococo~style?



SOMETHING IN THE WAY SHE MOVETH!

 

[H.A.L.]

In a word, excellent. Tacet has also released this recording on SACDs.
The performances by the Stuttgart Chamber orchestra are top notch. This one is a bit unique, though, in that Tacet has experimented with different surround configurations for each concerto.

Here is a full review that explains this in depth. https://www.hraudio.net/showmusic.php?title=2796#reviews

My wallet would have screamed, but it was too busy digesting pay day, so I slipped off and ordered this on blu ray .

Thanks, Lute!

 

[Lute]

An EXCELLENT Long Playing DVD~A disc, Brett. Haven't played it in awhile but worth seeking out. BTW, when are you going to 'audition' Abbey Road Rococo~style?



SOMETHING IN THE WAY SHE MOVETH!

Looking forward to traveling the Abbey Road to Downton in surround Sir McRalphie

 

[Lute]

My wallet would have screamed, but it was too busy digesting pay day, so I slipped off and ordered this on blu ray .

Thanks, Lute!

I guess I caught you at just the right moment. LOL!!
I am glad the ambient mix is on the first track rather than the last. It's easier on the ears to go from ambient to discrete surround.

 

[H.A.L.]

Time for my monthly request for recommendations of a good surround of a classical composer -- this month, Elgar!

From what I've seen, it's something of a desert 8'/. Particularly looking for the Enigma variations, but anything with heart-plucking strings would do.

 

[4-earredwonder]

Time for my monthly request for recommendations of a good surround of a classical composer -- this month, Elgar!

From what I've seen, it's something of a desert 8'/. Particularly looking for the Enigma variations, but anything with heart-plucking strings would do.

If you don't mind sharing the disc with HOLST'S often recorded THE PLANETS this newly~recorded [mch SACD] disc comes recommended https://www.hraudio.net/showmusic.php?title=13721

 

[JediJoker]

If you don't mind sharing the disc with HOLST'S often recorded THE PLANETS this newly~recorded [mch SACD] disc comes recommended https://www.hraudio.net/showmusic.php?title=13721

Being BIS, I imagine a PCM download is also available?

 

[4-earredwonder]

Being BIS, I imagine a PCM download is also available?

I would imagine YES. BTW, read the many positive comments on this disc which runs approximately 83 minutes [5.0 multichannel]: https://www.hraudio.net/showmusic.php?title=13721#comments

 

[humprof]

I would imagine YES. BTW, read the many positive comments on this disc which runs approximately 83 minutes [5.0 multichannel]: https://www.hraudio.net/showmusic.php?title=13721#comments

https://www.eclassical.com/conductors/litton-andrew/holst-elgar-the-planets-enigma-variations.html
It was significantly discounted when it first came out last summer, as I recall. Still: you can't complain about BIS's prices.

 

[4-earredwonder]

https://www.eclassical.com/conductors/litton-andrew/holst-elgar-the-planets-enigma-variations.html
It was significantly discounted when it first came out last summer, as I recall. Still: you can't complain about BIS's prices.

At the nearly $20 download price, I'd personally opt for the physical disc.

https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/8647874--holst-the-planets-elgar-enigma-variations
https://www.importcds.com/planets-enigma-variations/7318599920689