Esoteric Beethoven SACD set

[RBFC]

Does anybody have any opinions on these performances and recordings:

http://www.elusivedisc.com/prodinfo.asp?number=ESOSA90061&utm_source=email&utm_medium=special

$300 for the set is fairly steep, and without assurance that the remastering has produced something special.... well, no sale.

Lee

 

[Kal Rubinson]

I see nothing compelling here. Old EMIs and 'decent' performances by an old hand. They would have to be outstandingly luminous recordings (and in multichannel) to interest me in these performances. Solid, Mittel-European but so what?

Kal

 

[RBFC]

Thanks, Kal. Figured... that's why I was hesitant.

Lee

 

[LL21]

http://www.amazon.com/Beethoven-9-S...=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1329436440&sr=1-1

You might try this one if you are looking for a remastered series of the 9 Symphonies...the Karajan '63 is well regarded. cannot speak to the quality of the remastering. but at $23 buck on Amazon...you have a lot of change left over!

 

[LL21]

This is the SACD set of the above Karajan '63 http://www.amazon.com/Beethoven-Sym...1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1329439180&sr=1-1-spell

 

[Roger Dressler]

Here's an SACD set combining great performances and superb recording. I was equally impressed with their Piano Concerto #4/5. The tone quality of the piano really got me.

 

[FrantzM]

Here's an SACD set combining great performances and superb recording. I was equally impressed with their Piano Concerto #4. The tone quality of the piano really got me.

This Set has been recommended already by I believe Ron Party. OMG! The sound is glorious and the dynamics I-N-C-R-E-D-I-B-L-E. The performances are very good. There could be debates and arguments over about specific pieces ... The Symphony #6 for example could be more restrained IMO or more descriptive. I would have preferred a more pompous and luscious Symphony 9 Or .. Or...
A superb effort with great sonics ... Will trump on this aspect alone most any Beethoven one is likely to hear... Highly recommended.

 

[Phelonious Ponk]

Here's an SACD set combining great performances and superb recording. I was equally impressed with their Piano Concerto #4. The tone quality of the piano really got me.

When they say "hybrid," they mean there is a redbook layer, right? Does anyone know if it's the same mastering?

Tim

 

[RBFC]

I have Syphonies 3 & 8 by Vanska. Very good indeed. May check out the rest of the cycle.

Lee

 

[LL21]

When they say "hybrid," they mean there is a redbook layer, right? Does anyone know if it's the same mastering?

Tim

Hi Tim. Yes, i can personally confirm Hybrids will work in Redbook-only players. The only exception is if your player is very, very old (10-15 years old)...sometimes, they get 'confused' and cannot read the newer hybrid CDs. I had that with a 12-yr old Daewood DVD/CD player that cost like 50 bucks. However, my current Zanden only takes 16/44.1 signals and will read these hybrids.

As for mastering...i would very much like to know as well.

 

[Roger Dressler]

Does anyone know if it's the same mastering?

I A/B'd a few times and could not find any telltale signs the stereo mixes were from different masters.

 

[Vincent Kars]

The “problem” with a lot of classical recording is that a symphony orchestra with the size and the style of the romantic area plays Beethoven as if he was a nephew of Wagner.
He wasn’t.
Try a small ensemble playing with the instruments and the playing technique of his time like: http://www.amazon.com/Beethoven-Symphonies-Overtures-Classical-Norrington/dp/B00005A9O0

 

[FrantzM]

The “problem” with a lot of classical recording is that a symphony orchestra with the size and the style of the romantic area plays Beethoven as if he was a nephew of Wagner.
He wasn’t.
Try a small ensemble playing with the instruments and the playing technique of his time like: http://www.amazon.com/Beethoven-Symphonies-Overtures-Classical-Norrington/dp/B00005A9O0

Very interesting observation. One of my favorite Beethoven conductors is Sir Adrian Boult.. His Beethoven 6 is of that vein ( He recorded it twice with the London Philharmonic Orchestra in 1959 and 1978) both are masterpieces.. IMO the best Beethoven 6th. Will order these Norrington

 

[Phelonious Ponk]

Hi Tim. Yes, i can personally confirm Hybrids will work in Redbook-only players. The only exception is if your player is very, very old (10-15 years old)...sometimes, they get 'confused' and cannot read the newer hybrid CDs. I had that with a 12-yr old Daewood DVD/CD player that cost like 50 bucks. However, my current Zanden only takes 16/44.1 signals and will read these hybrids.

As for mastering...i would very much like to know as well.

My only concern is the optical drive in a MacBook reading them to copy to my hard drive. A really fine set of Beethoven symphonies would be a wonderful thing to have.

Tim

 

[Roger Dressler]

My only concern is the optical drive in a MacBook reading them to copy to my hard drive.

If my MacBook Pro is any indication, your fears are well founded. It plays regular CDs fine, but will not play these hybrids. Yet my venerable Sony CDP-X55ES from mid '80s plays them fine.

 

[NorthStar]

Another thing also to take into consideration:
most Hybrid SACDs have the CD layer recorded from the DSD master (a la Telarc quality CD recordings only), so it usually sounds better than just the regular solo CD version.

* BIS is an excellent record label.

 

[RBFC]

Another thing also to take into consideration:
most Hybrid SACDs have the CD layer encoded with DSD (a la Telarc quality CD recordings only),
so it usually sounds better than just the regular solo CD version.

HUH??? If it's not in PCM 16/44.1 for CD playback, you can be sure he won't be able to play it from his computer's CD drive.

Lee

 

[NorthStar]

HUH??? If it's not in PCM 16/44.1 for CD playback, you can be sure he won't be able to play it from his computer's CD drive.

Lee

Oh yes it is Lee, but a la DSD*; with more clarity, details, openness. :b
...Still a PCM 16-bit/44.1kHz recording though.

* The DSD processing/recording method (recording technique from the recording machine) was applied. The CD layer was recorded from the DSD masters.
{You must be familar with Telarc CD only recordings, where you can read DSD on the top front right CD jewel box cover insert, on the sides (both spines), and also on the back, and even on the disc itself, plus inside the liner notes. This Compact Disc was produced from Direct Stream Digital masters made during the recording sessions with the Sony DSD recording system.}

_____________________

I must have over two dozens various type of CD players (some dating back as far from 1986), and I've yet to find one that doesn't play the CD layer of an Hybrid SACD from my modest collection (500+ or so).

 

[RBFC]

So, they recorded it in DSD and then down-res'd it to CD standard. That makes more sense.

Lee

 

[NorthStar]

I just added to my above post for more clarity. :b