What are you listening to and WHY might anyone be interested? (Vol. XI)
Posted by: Richard Dane on 31 December 2014
On the cusp of 2015, we start a new thread...
Anyway, links:
Volume X: https://forums.naimaudio.com/to...-be-interested-vol-x
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
Radiohead - Com Lag (2plus2isfive) - (2004 - Japan)
Streaming: CD FLAC rip
Daniel Hope presents a mix of neo-Baroque, minimalist and soundtrack favourites, including works and arrangements by contemporary masters like Ludovico Einaudi, Arvo Pärt, Karl Jenkins, Max Richter, Gabriel Prokofiev and Alex Baranowski.
Qobuz lossless FLAC. Recorded during the 'My Favourite Things' sessions with McCoy Tyner & Elvin Jones.
Nicely engineered by Tom Dowd.
G
Radiohead - Itch (1994 - Japan)
Streaming: CD FLAC rip
Doug,
At least these are better than Speakers Corner's disastrous Glenn Gould box sets. No off center whole and vinyls are quiet and flat. ( except for Brahms LP there is a slight noise in some spots but I haven't cleaned it )
I think DG's new digital recording put on a vinyl sounds better than these digitally remastered old catalogues. I don't see much of a point to remaster if they are going to change the balance from the original analogue recording.
Brahms' 4th, I do not have the original CD or LP but the new remaster sure sounds *digital*. No gross distortions throughout but dynamics are not there and it just doesn't sound natural to me. I do think that it might be less compressed than many of poor sounding DG CD release from the same era. Now Brahms was the only digitally recorded program out of the rest. I was never particularly impressed with DG's early digital efforts unlike wonderful Philips, Denon, or JVC back in the late 70s early 80s.
I am curious of what you think of the set. My Box set has the serial number of #1421.
There are no production credit for remastering except that Optimal in Germany manufactured the records.
Hi Kuma,
My set is 02394/2800 but I got a partial dud. My Beethoven 7th is warped badly. When you play side one it curves up like a bowl toward the edge. Everything else in the set is fine though. I am happy with the sound quality but not ecstatic. I agree with you on your overall comments.
I'm faced with a dilemma though as I don't think I can return it. I mean I could return it but it doesn't look like at this point any stock is left in my usual places and returning it means getting my money back but no Kleiber set on vinyl. Eventually I could probably replace it but it would cost an arm and a leg.
I am a little angry with myself too as I originally ordered this from a place (non-Amazon) and I received it before Christmas but after I placed this order my local Amazon listed it for $30 cheaper. So I returned the first unopened and waited a month for this one and now I wonder if my cheapness was worth it in the end?
Radiohead - Itch (1994 - Japan)
Streaming: CD FLAC rip
May I suggest that you set your server to transcode to WAV, and see if you can hear the difference?
Qobuz lossless FLAC. Recorded during the 'My Favourite Things' sessions with McCoy Tyner & Elvin Jones.
Nicely engineered by Tom Dowd.
G
as was:
Three great Coltrane album's.
CD ALAC rip.
Dave
Genesis - Nursery Cryme (1971)
Original vinyl
The Devil Makes Three - Longjohns, Boots, and a Belt
(2012) CD
Working my way through their catalog. 'I'm A Stranger Here' was my introduction to the band. Banjo, guitar, and upright bass.
Some early Dire Straits to start the evening. Have grown to really like this album now that I've got a decent copy.
My set is 02394/2800 but I got a partial dud. My Beethoven 7th is warped badly. When you play side one it curves up like a bowl toward the edge. Everything else in the set is fine though. I am happy with the sound quality but not ecstatic. I agree with you on your overall comments.
I'm faced with a dilemma though as I don't think I can return it. I mean I could return it but it doesn't look like at this point any stock is left in my usual places and returning it means getting my money back but no Kleiber set on vinyl. Eventually I could probably replace it but it would cost an arm and a leg.
I am a little angry with myself too as I originally ordered this from a place (non-Amazon) and I received it before Christmas but after I placed this order my local Amazon listed it for $30 cheaper. So I returned the first unopened and waited a month for this one and now I wonder if my cheapness was worth it in the end?
Doug,
I know how you feel and now I am hesitant of pulling a trigger on many of reissues.
I think I am going to hang on my set because I do not have other titles except the 5th. I went through the same weird cost differences of Glenn Gould set. After I bought the set I found someone else selling it 30$ cheaper than what I paid.
On the Kleiber box set, each record comes out about 14$ so not the worst loss as I can play all of the records at least. Meanwhile, I got to listen to the rest of symphony. I will look out for the original Schubert pressing. Turned out I am not liking his Beethoven Symphony 7th as much as his 5th. I am uncertain about his Brahms performance yet. Need to listen more on this.
I don't know what kind of QC goes in at Optimal but I am surprised to hear that one of your LP was badly warped as all of mine are flat.
Generally earlier the pressing better the impressions depending on how often record plant changes the stamper. I have read that Optimal have recently invested in new presses so hopefully their QC improves.
I am more disappointed in remastering over the production quality on this set especially how decent the original mix sounds.
This was my first DG reissue vinyl from DG Label ( I have had other reissues by Clearaudio albeit much costlier than DG reissues ) and moving forward, I am probably better off purchasing their original pressings. DG's 70s titles can be had for relatively cheap as most collectors don't want them.
Originally Posted by Haim Ronen:
Haim,
How's his playing?
Any credit to who recorded and mastered it?
Thanks.uma my friend,
Kuma my friend,
This was recorded in 1999 by Ken Christianson of ProMusica at Sofienberg Church, Oslo. Mastering was done by Julian Vereker. Like in most of Ken's recordings, the focus is clearly on the instrument and not the room which is a good thing here considering where the performance took place. The sound of the piano is quite warm and works well with Gimse's exploratory 'slower' mood which is very much to my liking. In contrast, Tharaud dances through the Preludes with clarity and a sense of knowing it all, not unlike Lewis playing the late Schubert sonatas. To quote him: "I like to play the cycle of Preludes without interruption, with the same tension, a certain underlying fear even in the most serene Preludes.." Maria Pires, on the other hand, holds the middle ground in terms of energy and lyricism and probably would be the favorite of most listeners. We also have to remember that there is always Pogorelich awaiting us outside the box...
From last night's Chili Contest party.
Astonishingly not a single bad pressing from Music Matters reissues!
House guests enjoyed them more than I thought they would. Surprisingly people are coming into the living room and asking who they were.
Very well done by Paul Lewis
Originally Posted by Haim Ronen:
This was recorded in 1999 by Ken Christianson of ProMusica at Sofienberg Church, Oslo. Mastering was done by Julian Vereker. Like in most of Ken's recordings, the focus is clearly on the instrument and not the room which is a good thing here considering where the performance took place. The sound of the piano is quite warm and works well with Gimse's exploratory 'slower' mood which is very much to my liking. In contrast, Tharaud dances through the Preludes with clarity and a sense of knowing it all, not unlike Lewis playing the late Schubert sonatas. To quote him: "I like to play the cycle of Preludes without interruption, with the same tension, a certain underlying fear even in the most serene Preludes.." Maria Pires, on the other hand, holds the middle ground in terms of energy and lyricism and probably would be the favorite of most listeners. We also have to remember that there is always Pogorelich awaiting us outside the box..
Haim,
Thanks for the info.
Sounds like I would like to try this recording of his. I am familiar with Ken's miking on Naim label particularly on Charlie Haden releases but never heard of his solo piano recording.
My old time favourite Chopin's Preludes and Scherzo are by Martha! I am rather surprised at myself by this. Yes I realise her scherzo are more *grounded* than Pogorelich but they are mean enough for me. 
Sometimes problems with his box of tricks are getting way of the music.
And love her Op.28. She runs through the whole thing like a fantasy piece without much pauses. The best Storm ending. No other pianist so far has given me a chill after the final three dark haunting chords.
But I am always looking for a new angle and insights on this piece.
Nice
