SPOTLIGHT The classical music general discussion thread

[Lute]

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Piano Concertos 11 - 13

Marie Kuijken & Veronica Kuijken (fortepianos)
La Petite Bande
Sigiswald Kuijken (direction)

Lovely performances of these treasures that Mozart composed shortly after moving to Vienna. Apart from the excellent playing by all involved, the use of a small ensemble of period instruments creates the intimate mood of a concert at a private residence in bygone days. Surround mix is ambient but fairly immersive and well up to Challenge Classics high standards. HERE is another fine in depth review for those interested.

 

[b.smith]

Do we know if the 5.0 mix of this disc is dicrete?

 

[Kal Rubinson]

Do we know if the 5.0 mix of this disc is dicrete?

Tell me exactly what you mean by dicrete/discrete.

 

[jefe1]

Thank you Lute.

Many years ago I saw the Kuijken brothers tour and I think I met them after one of their concerts. These two women performing must be daughters of one or two of them. How time flies. I will have to look for this disc.

 

[Lute]

Thank you Lute.

Many years ago I saw the Kuijken brothers tour and I think I met them after one of their concerts. These two women performing must be daughters of one or two of them. How time flies. I will have to look for this disc.

That's a great story. Thanks for sharing it. Fortunately, the Kuijken family has and is continuing to release excellent recordings with Challenge Classics and Accent. HERE I've been slowly but steadily adding them to my collection.

 

[JediJoker]

Tell me exactly what you mean by dicrete/discrete.

As opposed to ambient. Are there musical elements specifically panned to the rear channels, or is it hall ambience only?

 

[Kal Rubinson]

As opposed to ambient. Are there musical elements specifically panned to the rear channels, or is it hall ambience only?

Hall ambiance, only.

 

[Lute]

Anyone who has enjoyed the PentaTone SACD of the 1972 Quad recording of the percussion ensemble "Les Percussions de Strasbourg" might also be interested in this group's other 2 SACD releases on the Accord (Universal) label. All 3 of these SACDs have discrete surround mixes.

The music is modern classical, abstract not melodic. Despite its name, "le scorpion" is the more mellow of the 2 recordings on the Accord label. The music by Argentine composer, Martin Matalon, was written to accompany Luis Buñuel's film L'Âge d'or. It is for 2 pianos, vibraphones, drums, bongos, timpani, gongs, electronics, etc... It has a slightly free jazz feel to it.

 

[Lute]

HERE is a documentary for any fans of Iván Fischer and the Budapest Festival Orchestra.

 

[J. PUPSTER]

Found this interesting video about the Viola:

 

[J. PUPSTER]

Is this title Stereo or Multi-Channel???

https://store.acousticsounds.com/d/...ail&utm_term=0_d7d119d847-bd48245994-11989337
Edit- here's the ad they sent to my email box?

 

[humprof]

Is this title Stereo or Multi-Channel???

https://store.acousticsounds.com/d/...ail&utm_term=0_d7d119d847-bd48245994-11989337
Edit- here's the ad they sent to my email box?
View attachment 43695

Multi-channel, AFAIK. Reference has issued some world-class symphonic recordings in the last few years. No discrete elements in the rears, but hugely "active." And brilliant performances.

 

[Kal Rubinson]

Is this title Stereo or Multi-Channel???

https://store.acousticsounds.com/d/...ail&utm_term=0_d7d119d847-bd48245994-11989337
Edit- here's the ad they sent to my email box?
View attachment 43695

What does it say? It has a multichannel DSD program, a stereo DSD program and a red-book compatible stereo program. Just like all the others.

 

[Kal Rubinson]

Multi-channel, AFAIK. Reference has issued some world-class symphonic recordings in the last few years. No discrete elements in the rears, but hugely "active." And brilliant performances.

This is part of the "fresh" series which is engineered by the SoundMirror team and not the standard team from RR. IMHO, they are much better.

 

[4-earredwonder]

This is part of the "fresh" series which is engineered by the SoundMirror team and not the standard team from RR. IMHO, they are much better.

I just received their newly released The Planets [with The Perfect Fool] and can attest to their brilliance!

 

[J. PUPSTER]

What does it say? It has a multichannel DSD program, a stereo DSD program and a red-book compatible stereo program. Just like all the others.

I don't know Kal, it looks to me like they've got it listed in the wrong category on their web page; or am I not reading this correctly?

 

[humprof]

I don't know Kal, it looks to me like they've got it listed in the wrong category on their web page; or am I not reading this correctly?
View attachment 43696

Acoustic Sounds may have it listed under the wrong category, but RR's own website says the hybrid SACD contains a 5.0 mix:

https://referencerecordings.com/recording/prokofiev-alexander-nevsky-lieutenant-kije-suite/
(By the way: you can get this disc from Presto for $15.25.)

 

[4-earredwonder]

I don't know Kal, it looks to me like they've got it listed in the wrong category on their web page; or am I not reading this correctly?
View attachment 43696

BTW, Pupster and humprof, Deep Discount's price on Alexander Nevsky is considerably less expensive https://www.deepdiscount.com/alexander-nevsky/030911273521

And lo and behold they gave me a $5 off coupon [for orders over $30] which I took full advantage of!

 

[J. PUPSTER]

This is part of the "fresh" series which is engineered by the SoundMirror team and not the standard team from RR. IMHO, they are much better.

Well regardless, if Kal likes it, I'll have to order one and continue my education in classical music

 

[humprof]

BTW, Pupster and humprof, Deep Discount's price on Alexander Nevsky is considerably less expensive https://www.deepdiscount.com/alexander-nevsky/030911273521

And lo and behold they gave me a $5 off coupon [for orders over $30] which I took full advantage of!

Let us know what you think of it, Ralph. I've already got the Ormandy/Philadelphia version of this on Dutton, which is hard to beat. And I've got the Slatkin/St. Louis version, besides. And since neither piece is among my favorite Prokofievs, I'm loath to shell out for yet another rendition. But if it's a good mix and a good performance...