La Boheme with Pavarotti and Freni: old and new remasterings
Posted by: EJS on 10 February 2011
Hi all,
Some time ago I ran some recordings of La Boheme back to back, including the classic Karajan, with both Luciano Pavarotti and Mirella Freni in what could be their best recording together. This recording was newly remastered a couple of years ago, and in the comparison with other recordings, I was extremely disappointed with the sound quality: an unrealistic edge to the voices and strings, and some strange flutter in the background.
Last week I managed to buy the original CD mastering for a few quid, just to see if there is a quality difference. The result shouldn't surprise anyone: it is better. In places much better. On the earlier edition, the voices and instruments sound full bodied and much better integrated, more natural. What's more: the background flutter becomes perfectly acceptable tape hiss (at a very modest level especially for the early 70s), and reveals low level details such as breaths, musicians moving, and instrument noise that were lost in the remastering.
Sad really, but there you have it: the "96kHz-24 bit" remastering is nothing but an ordinary de-noise filter that destroys fine detail and upsets the balance. If you spring for this - highly recommended - recording, go for the original edition as long as it is available!
Happy listening,
EJ
New:
Old:
Some time ago I ran some recordings of La Boheme back to back, including the classic Karajan, with both Luciano Pavarotti and Mirella Freni in what could be their best recording together. This recording was newly remastered a couple of years ago, and in the comparison with other recordings, I was extremely disappointed with the sound quality: an unrealistic edge to the voices and strings, and some strange flutter in the background.
Last week I managed to buy the original CD mastering for a few quid, just to see if there is a quality difference. The result shouldn't surprise anyone: it is better. In places much better. On the earlier edition, the voices and instruments sound full bodied and much better integrated, more natural. What's more: the background flutter becomes perfectly acceptable tape hiss (at a very modest level especially for the early 70s), and reveals low level details such as breaths, musicians moving, and instrument noise that were lost in the remastering.
Sad really, but there you have it: the "96kHz-24 bit" remastering is nothing but an ordinary de-noise filter that destroys fine detail and upsets the balance. If you spring for this - highly recommended - recording, go for the original edition as long as it is available!
Happy listening,
EJ
New:
Old: