Classical Corner Classical Music Corner (thread #52)

Discussion in 'Music Corner' started by George P, Dec 7, 2013.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. dale 88

    dale 88 Errand Boy for Rhythm

    Location:
    west of sun valley
    Having listened to both the CD and the SACD layers of this disc, I think the sound is excellent on both.
    Manfred Honeck, conductor
    Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
    Fresh from Reference Recordings, FR-707SACD, 2013. Recorded in June 2012.
    HoneckPittsburghStrauss.jpg
    Wonderful interpretations and playing. Manfred Honeck has been with the Pittsburgh symphony since 2008-2009. Currently I would think that this must be one of the very best orchestras in the country, IMO.

    The recording was done by Sound/Mirror with Mark Donahue, balance engineer; Ray Clover & John Newton, recording engineers; Dirk Sobotka, editing; Mark Donahue, mastering. "...we chose five omnidirectional DPA 4006 microphones as our main microphone array. Supplementing those with 'spot mics' to clarify the detail of the orchestration..." "The recording was made and post produced in 64fs DSD on a Pyramix workstation..."
    The back page of the notes says "Pittsburgh Live!" If so, 'live' has come a long way.
     
  2. dale 88

    dale 88 Errand Boy for Rhythm

    Location:
    west of sun valley
    Actually, on the Strauss recording above, I prefer the sound on the CD layer over the SACD stereo mix. I don't have surround.
     
  3. RiRiIII

    RiRiIII Forum Resident

    Location:
    Athens, Greece
    I assume from your messages above, that you refer to London/Decca "originals" (acc. to Mr Wheeler) and not UK Decca "originals"? Thanks.
     
  4. RiRiIII

    RiRiIII Forum Resident

    Location:
    Athens, Greece
    This Ansermet Falla LP is also included in the Decca Sound LP box. I treasure the SHM-SACD; it is awesome:

    [​IMG]
     
    5-String likes this.
  5. Scott Wheeler

    Scott Wheeler Forum Resident

    Location:
    ---------------
    I was talking about the U.K. London/Deccas
     
  6. 5-String

    5-String μηδὲν ἄγαν

    Location:
    Sunshine State
    Decca classical vinyl has a very interesting and rather complicating history. I could write a wall of text with all the details but really all information is available online so I will just provide some links that hopefully you will find interesting. If anyone has any specific questions, please ask.

    The "originals"

    Guide to British Classical Labels with photos here:

    http://www.revolutions33.co.uk/collectors_guide.htm

    Discussion on various early, middle, late English Decca pressings as well as Dutch (which by the way in many cases sound better than the UK) here:

    http://www.high-endaudio.com/softw.html#Decca

    Discussion on UK Decca vs. US London here:

    http://www.high-endaudio.com/softw.html#De/Lo

    http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/viewpoint/0102/londondecca.htm

    "Proof" that Decca and London use the same masters here:

    http://www.high-endaudio.com/softw.html#Def

    http://www.analogplanet.com/content/deccalondon-records-myth-exploded

    Decca Matrix Codes here:

    http://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/still-confused-about-decca-matrix-codes-long.35314/

    The reissues

    Some info on the ORG reissues

    http://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threa...al-titles-mastered-by-bernie-grundman.217025/


    http://www.analogplanet.com/content/org-polishes-deccalondon-sonic-crown-jewel-0

    Some info on the Speakers Corner reissues

    http://www.theaudiobeat.com/blog/speakers_corner_decca.htm

    http://speakerscorner.de/img/reviews/6355_Stereophile.pdf

    Some info on the King Super Analogue reissues

    http://www.high-endaudio.com/softw.html
     
    sgb, Byrdsmaniac, bluemooze and 2 others like this.
  7. RiRiIII

    RiRiIII Forum Resident

    Location:
    Athens, Greece
    All my thanks!!!
     
    5-String likes this.
  8. john greenwood

    john greenwood Senior Member

    Location:
    NYC
    My current music server also runs XP, and I had the same issue. That is one of several reasons why I bought a new computer two weeks ago (although the main reason was that my work computer's keyboard was failing). The new one runs Windows 7, as I saw no reason to adjust to the Windows 8 interface. I will use my current Windows 7 work computer as my music server as I will need it to access to the Internet for some of at least one streaming service. Additionally, whenever I actually need to do something with my current server, it is painfully slow.

    Robin - I used to love learning new technology, but I got over it. :)
     
    sgb and Robin L like this.
  9. PH416156

    PH416156 Alea Iacta Est

    Location:
    Europe
    indeed! Thank you 5 - string :cheers:
     
    5-String likes this.
  10. 5-String

    5-String μηδὲν ἄγαν

    Location:
    Sunshine State
    Glad that you liked it. Another poster also recommended this in a previous thread and I ordered it based on his recommendation but I still haven't found the time to listen to my copy.
     
  11. RiRiIII

    RiRiIII Forum Resident

    Location:
    Athens, Greece
    One more question: what "U.K. London/Deccas" means? Does also Us London/Decca exist?
     
  12. RiRiIII

    RiRiIII Forum Resident

    Location:
    Athens, Greece
    Got it from your links:

    "For this reason, Decca of England chose to export their albums to the USA under the London label." So all of the London Deccas were made in the Uk?
     
  13. 5-String

    5-String μηδὲν ἄγαν

    Location:
    Sunshine State
    Yes the classical London were made in England. They used a different cover and label design though but the record itself is pressed in England. They also used the same matrix numbers, mother numbers and stamper numbers. Here's an example:

    [​IMG] [​IMG]

    The first is the English edition and the second is the american.

    The debate about this was whether the UK Deccas and the UK pressed Londons had differences in mastering other than the regular pressing variations that one finds in records. Which one is superior? Many claimed or still claim that the UK Deccas were superior.
    Michael Fremer and Salvatore in the links that I provided dispute this "myth".
    In my experience there is no difference between the two other than the expected sonic variations that exist from copy to copy.
     
    Scott Wheeler likes this.
  14. PostalBlowfish75

    PostalBlowfish75 Forum Resident

    Location:
    Michigan
    I've never posted on this thread (I've limited experience with classical records) but was compelled to after listening to this record this morning. It has to be the "hottest" or loudest pressed classical record I own, and by far. I purchased it only because I remember listening to this with my pops, I believe it is one of his favorite pieces. It also has the sturdiest cover I've ever seen for a single record. Does anyone have any appreciation for this, or is this just an average recording? I think regardless, I'll be looking for the red stereo DGGs and the tulip label from here out.
    IMG_1802.JPG IMG_1803.JPG
     
    bluemooze and Robin L like this.
  15. Robin L

    Robin L Musical Omnivore

    Location:
    Fresno, California
    Very good versions of these works, very solid performances. I appreciate the old Tulip label DGG issues. I find the later pressings and masterings to be thin.
     
  16. john greenwood

    john greenwood Senior Member

    Location:
    NYC
    Interesting - I have those recordings on CD at home. According to Spotify, each LP side should be about 25 minutes.
     
  17. Scott Wheeler

    Scott Wheeler Forum Resident

    Location:
    ---------------
    It is important to note that the differences, while not a function of the label slapped on them, are substantial. Different mastering engineers, different cutting lathes etc., are substantial in many cases.
     
    5-String likes this.
  18. George P

    George P Notable Member Thread Starter

    Location:
    NYC
    I forget why, but some of Boehm's Mozart doesn't work for me (maybe the slow opening movement to #40.) It's weird because otherwise, I love his work.
     
  19. PostalBlowfish75

    PostalBlowfish75 Forum Resident

    Location:
    Michigan
    That is interesting.
     
  20. drh

    drh Talking Machine

    Welcome to the thread--please do come back often! And congrats on finding a record with special associations. Silly, I know, but I've taken to marking major events in my life with record purchases. When my father passed away at age 92, for instance, I bought a 10" Electrecord of Enescu's Romanian Rhapsodies conducted by George Georgescu. That had no particular meaning to Dad, but I admire the conductor, and I think Dad would have liked the music if he'd heard it.
     
  21. drh

    drh Talking Machine

    Of course, that's in keeping with what my late mother (Haydn: Piano Trio no. 1 with Eileen Joyce, pno.; Henry Holst, vln.; Anthony Pini, vlc., English Columbia 78 RPM set) once said about me: "If you were traveling to your own funeral, you'd stop and look at some records on the way!"
     
  22. RiRiIII

    RiRiIII Forum Resident

    Location:
    Athens, Greece
    Just played the first disc of Mainardi's first recording of Bach's Suites (early-mid 50s, Archiv).

    [​IMG]
     
  23. PostalBlowfish75

    PostalBlowfish75 Forum Resident

    Location:
    Michigan
    I can completely relate. I still have several records from my parents (Beatles - Rubber Soul, Beach Boys - Pet Sounds), my dad is a real music lover in his own way. He had a nice set up way back when and would record his records onto tape. We would hear his tapes what seemed like hundreds of times. I have lots of great memories of my brothers and I in the back of his car on the way to a ball game listening to music, much of which was classical. Sometimes he joins me while vinyl shopping to help me find pieces he listened to when I was younger that I might still like.
    I swear if I put on one of his old records (let's say Simon and Garfunkel - Bridge Over Trouble Water) I can remember all the pops and tics from the repeated listenings in the back of the Duster.
    Many classical recordings for me recall memories of family dinners with soft music comming from the stereo.
    Good days.
    I know when he's gone, I'll feel closest to him through music... and baseball.
     
    john greenwood likes this.
  24. john greenwood

    john greenwood Senior Member

    Location:
    NYC
    My dad passed away in October at 97. He died from respiratory failure, but he also suffered from Alzheimer's, and in the last few months the only communication I had with him was singing songs from the 20's - 50's. During the week before he passed, we had a CD player on repeat with Ella Fitzgerald singing the Cole Porter and Rodgers & Hart Songbooks and Frank Sinatra's Songs for Swinging Lovers and A Swingin' Affair. Not classical, perhaps, but classics.
     
    Stone Turntable, 5-String and John S like this.
  25. John S

    John S Forum Resident

    Location:
    Columbus, OH
    I can't hear Scheherazade (Rimsky-Korsakov) or Tchaikovsky's Fifth without thinking of my mother.
     
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.

Share This Page

molar-endocrine