The Mahler series (Mahler: Complete Symphonies/Carnegie Hall Presents/Box Set/DSD), currently listed on Amazon for $43. are from the same author as the Japan SACD's and compare favorably in my opinion (I own all the SACD's too). A fine gift from Sony.
bob berkman, mojave desert ca
On Jun 1, 2012, at 4:34 PM, Roderic G Stephens wrote:
> Are we talking about SACDs, because I'm interested Bernsteins' Mahler second in that format with the N.Y. Phil that only seems to be available in a Japanese remastering? http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=SICC-10054
>
> --- On Fri, 6/1/12, [Richard A Kaplan] <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
> From: [Richard A Kaplan] <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: Re: [ARSCLIST] Who needs vinyl?
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Date: Friday, June 1, 2012, 1:09 PM
>
> Sony's release of Bernstein's Mahler cycle last year in new masterings from
> session tapes was revelatory; it shows (a) what they're capable of when
> they're willing to use the resources, and (b) how inadequate the huge bulk of
> their CD reissues have (has?) been. I'm with Steve: More!
>
> Rich Kaplan
>
>
> In a message dated 6/1/2012 3:05:07 P.M. Central Daylight Time,
> [log in to unmask] writes:
>
> I recently heard the last 2 movements of the Beethoven 3d Piano Concero on
> the radio and was amazed. I had no idea who was before the public at
> present who played the piece this well. What particularly grabbed me was
> how
> rich the piano tone was, how clear the various piiano voices and orchestral
> parts were and how well the whole thing sounded together.
>
> Imagine my surprise. It was Leon Fleisher, George Szell and the Cleveland
> Orchestra, made in 1959.
>
> After a bit of investigation, I learned it was a new, 2012 24 bit ransfer
> from Sony. I orderd the box of the 5 Beethoven and two Brahms Concerti that
> night. When it arrived, it also proved to contain the Brahms Handel
> Variations, the op. 39 Waltzes and Mozarrt's 25th Concerto.
>
> I'm playing the 3d now through my office listening set-up. It's far more
> than the radio disclosed.
>
> Though I've yet to see a review that addresses it, this is clearly (!) a
> huge improvement over all previous releases in any format.
>
> I am assuming they've used Capstan as there is no wow or flutter- something
> to which my my ear is particulary sensitive. The crispness of the sound
> indicates corrections to problems caused by slight misphasings, firmly and
> distinctly positioning the instruments within the orchestra. A slight cut
> made here at about 2700 cycles allows the piano to sound completely
> equalized throughout its range with no notes suddenly sticking out. The
> occassional buzzy noise I used to think were defects in the recording are
> now revealed as piano problems. I can't hear any tape hiss at all. The
> only
> negative is that the time between movements is often too short and
> unrelated
> to the music's pulse.
>
> Oh, yes. Setting aside a few missed notes in a few of the more elaboate
> passages, the 3d is a terrific performance. They are well enough known by
> now not to require a review.
>
> The digital millenium has arrived. More! More!
>
> Steve Smolian
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