What are you listening to and WHY might anyone be interested? (Vol. X)
Posted by: Richard Dane on 31 December 2013
On the cusp of 2014, we start a new thread...
Anyway, links:
Volume IX: https://forums.naimaudio.com/to...16#22826037054683416
Volume VIII: https://forums.naimaudio.com/di...nt/12970396056050819
Volume VII: https://forums.naimaudio.com/di...6878604287751/page/1
Volume VI: https://forums.naimaudio.com/di...ent/1566878604097229
Volume V: https://forums.naimaudio.com/di...ent/1566878605140495
Volume IV: https://forums.naimaudio.com/di...ent/1566878605795042
Volume III: https://forums.naimaudio.com/di...ent/1566878607309474
Volume II: https://forums.naimaudio.com/di...ent/1566878606245043
Volume I: https://forums.naimaudio.com/di...ent/1566878607464290
After first spin of these recordings from the early 2000s. I think Haydn may have been the greatest symphonist in history; but it really takes a conductor with guts, like Harnoncourt, to bring the genius out to the fullest. Harnoncourt's penchant for exaggerated tempi and hard hitting attacks are in full evidence here, and I've never heard these symphonies performed with more energy and passion. But there is also the undercurrent of pathos; of a deeper relevance than just the notes. Harnoncourt's Haydn points directly to Beethoven.
Recommended unless you prefer your Haydn gentle and tempered. No doubt, a performance like this in his own time would have the ladies fainting at the first notes.
Now, on the lookout for an equally good performance of nr 88.
EJ
I am going to give it Lontano LOUD
Stu, try this one Lontano loud. Fab pressing, beautiful box set. First heard this on some huge KEF Blades with Boris in the room himself - mind blowingly good
Adrian,
I still have the photos of you at the album launch party.
I didn't get round to buying the vinyl though.
I take it you made it the next day and got one?
I did, and Boris was at the store there too chatting away. It is worth getting, it's limited but not cheap...
I bought this 
on vinyl on release day back in April.
Its the worst album i have bought for years.
Love this though.
Arrived in the post today. I was introduced to this album recently by Mike1380 and his vinyl recording sounded stunning on his newly upgraded LP12. I sought out a CD version and Mike's advice was to go for an early version from the eighties. This German Phonogram CD is from 1988. I was prepared to be disappointed but instead I've been delighted. The quality is excellent and the soundstage, particularly on The Race, is absolutely enormous! Can highly recommend this one.
Stu turned me onto this one a couple of years ago. I now have the original vinyl and CD rip. It's certainly an album to give your system a good workout. Vinyl wins I'm afraid. 
Steve,
You need to find a mint copy of Baby on original wafer thin vinyl.
Then you will really find out how good they can sound.
I found a really good copy for Debs a while back.
They are like hens teeth though for not stupid money.
Tony M has a original copy.
Next time you are up for a visit get him to give you a blast through the DBLs.
I am going to give it Lontano LOUD tomorrow night because the people next door can't moan on account of it being New Years.
Hi Stu,
We took J.N's vinyl copy of Baby round to Steve's the other week for a blast. Superb album & still my best demo for the DBLs, gobsmackingly good!
After first spin of these recordings from the early 2000s. I think Haydn may have been the greatest symphonist in history; but it really takes a conductor with guts, like Harnoncourt, to bring the genius out to the fullest. Harnoncourt's penchant for exaggerated tempi and hard hitting attacks are in full evidence here, and I've never heard these symphonies performed with more energy and passion. But there is also the undercurrent of pathos; of a deeper relevance than just the notes. Harnoncourt's Haydn points directly to Beethoven.
Recommended unless you prefer your Haydn gentle and tempered. No doubt, a performance like this in his own time would have the ladies fainting at the first notes.
Now, on the lookout for an equally good performance of nr 88.
EJ
I bought this when it came out - really was impressed with it and loved the freshness and excitement of the recording - it was my first Harnoncourt recording at the time and it inspired me to buy a lot of other of his recordings as a result.
Talk earlier on the HD download thread prompted me to play this. Not the disappointing HD download I paid too much for but my old, inferior but more listenable CD.
Talk earlier on the HD download thread prompted me to play this. Not the disappointing HD download I paid too much for but my old, inferior but more listenable CD.
I'm surprised at this, I thought the HD download was way better than my CD version which sounds flat in comparison?
Been listening to this on Spotify, like it, so ordered on vinyl.
Arrived in the post today. I was introduced to this album recently by Mike1380 and his vinyl recording sounded stunning on his newly upgraded LP12. I sought out a CD version and Mike's advice was to go for an early version from the eighties. This German Phonogram CD is from 1988. I was prepared to be disappointed but instead I've been delighted. The quality is excellent and the soundstage, particularly on The Race, is absolutely enormous! Can highly recommend this one.
Stu turned me onto this one a couple of years ago. I now have the original vinyl and CD rip. It's certainly an album to give your system a good workout. Vinyl wins I'm afraid.
Steve,
You need to find a mint copy of Baby on original wafer thin vinyl.
Then you will really find out how good they can sound.
I found a really good copy for Debs a while back.
They are like hens teeth though for not stupid money.
Tony M has a original copy.
Next time you are up for a visit get him to give you a blast through the DBLs.
I am going to give it Lontano LOUD tomorrow night because the people next door can't moan on account of it being New Years.
Hi Stu,
We took J.N's vinyl copy of Baby round to Steve's the other week for a blast. Superb album & still my best demo for the DBLs, gobsmackingly good!
Tony,
He never mentioned that.
I love my SL2s but can't wait to get the large radiator moved in the new year so i can get my DBLs set up on the long brick wall.
I want to feel the pain in my chest.
Talk earlier on the HD download thread prompted me to play this. Not the disappointing HD download I paid too much for but my old, inferior but more listenable CD.
I'm surprised at this, I thought the HD download was way better than my CD version which sounds flat in comparison?
Maybe your HD download is better than mine, dayjay. Mine was from highresaudio.de. My CD is old and on the Asylum Records label. The problem I have with the download is, yes, there's more detail but the bass is loose and over-bearing and top-end a bit shrill. I find myself listening to these characteristics rather than the music. So having tried the HD download a few times I've had to admit to myself that it is less listenable that my old CD. Maybe a case of less is more (in data). More seriously, I suspect the problem lay with how the HD version was captured. A HD version of a poor re-master is simply going to shine a brighter light on those deficiencies.
Propaganda - Secret Wish. Classic 80's Electronica.
I am really enjoying the new Anouar Brahem album on ECM. Lovely late night music, full of atmosphere. The subtle use of orchestration on the album is a nice development IMHO. For me the star of the show is the lovely piano of Francois Couturier.
1978, I know so many of these songs, maybe I wasn't so cool back then after all!
SJB
Night cap, with a spicy performance of Debussy's remarkable sonata for flute, viola and harp, and two modern works it directly inspired.
EJ
I am really enjoying the new Anouar Brahem album on ECM. Lovely late night music, full of atmosphere. The subtle use of orchestration on the album is a nice development IMHO. For me the star of the show is the lovely piano of Francois Couturier.
Adrian,
I thought that Brahem is getting lost here in the forest of instruments. The magic of Couturier and Brahem in 'Le Pas Du Chat Noir' with a small ensemble is in a completely different league, unmatched in terms of the sound and the interplay of the piano and and oud.
Night cap, with a spicy performance of Debussy's remarkable sonata for flute, viola and harp, and two modern works it directly inspired.
EJ
EJ,
Tre Voci is going to be next on my list. Another notable ToruTakemitsu is:
Hamish Milne's short piano works of Medtner.
CD - Real Gone Jazz : )
Gerry Mulligan meets Johnny Hodges [1959]
Bunny ...5:43
What's The Rush ...3:41
Back Beat ...7:23
What's it all About ...3:58
18 Carrots for Rabbit ...5:13
Shady Side ...7:03
Johnny Hodges - alto saxophone
Gerry Mulligan - baritone saxophone
Buddy Clark - bass
Mel Lewis - drums
Claude Williamson - piano
One of my favourite Hall'n'Oats next to Abandoned Luncheonette
They haven't done anything I liked since this album.
Backhaus' stereo recording of the 5th with Isserstedt/Vienna Phil.
Much more polished and muscular than his earlier mono.
This set sounds more like *emperor* for sure but somehow misses the mark lacking the fluidity and expressiveness of his earlier effort.
The Adagio is good, tho.
Serkin's is full of precision and clarity but he never let the music become analytical. The old man Serkin still got a plenty of mojo and pizzazz in this '62 recording with Bernstein. Lenny's a tad heavy-handed here as if he wants to out emote the soloist.
This is his last of the *good* Emperor concerto as his next and last recording with Ozawa, he no longer could maintain the same level of performance.
Classic 5th styling with chunky urgent intro with snappy rhythmic slant. This is a quintessential reading and now it feels a bit dated or at times too corny and unintentionally funny.
Majestic and exciting as old-fashioned but there is still something potent and moving about it. Love the swashbuckling finale.
Hans Schmidt-Isserstedt/VPO's 5th is like a *Dorati* Light. Classic styling but less solidity and muscularity. This has even an English like civility and good manner.
Good fun LP for an early start to seeing in the new year
One of my favourite Hall'n'Oats next to Abandoned Luncheonette
They haven't done anything I liked since this album.
Pair of really nice guys and the tour they did to promote the album over here had some of the best gigs I ever worked at