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Audiophile
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Alison
Krauss + Union Station - LIVE
Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs, MFSL 3-281Reviewed by RSF
I liked these CDs very much when they first came out in 2002. I was delighted
with the DVD when it arrived. I fell in love with the SACD when I bought
it two years ago. I am now totally blown away with this set from Mobile
Fidelity. Recorded live at the Louisville Palace in Kentucky, from the
moment I first heard the CD I knew this was a very special live concert.
I’m a big fan of AKUS and was quite enthusiastic about the two releases
from Diverse Records as well as the first Mo-Fi release, So Long So Wrong,
which was simply outstanding. Well folks, you haven’t heard anything...
yet. Hit after hit is performed with great intimacy and real faithfulness
to the original release, but with the addition of an open, airy, live
venue. The sound is to die for. For me Mo-Fi are consistently surpassing
original release DSD recordings when their vinyl releases arrive. Perhaps
‘getting it right’ was the reason this set took so long to
see the light of day. I don’t know and don’t care. It’s
finally here. If you are a fan of AKUS, I urge you to contact your favourite
reseller immediately. This is some of the finest music of its genre ever
performed and the re-mastering job is simply sublime.
Supplied: Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs http://www.mofi.com/ |
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Henryk
Górecki: Symphony No. 3 “Symphony of sorrowful Songs”
Op. 36.
Nat Polish RSO conducted by the composer. Zofia Kilanowicz, sop.
Lipinski Records SACD LR 105 Reviewed by RSF
While Lipinski Records may be a new label for many of you, I became aware
of the company a couple of years ago having auditioned some of their fine
monitor loudspeakers at CES. The Górecki 3rd was recorded live
on December 12, 2003 at the Holy Cross Church in Zakopane, Poland. The
acoustic is warm, rich, but not too reverberant. For many years “the”
performance of this work was the David Zinman recording on Nonesuch with
the London Sinfonieta and Dawn Upshaw. While the Zinman/Upshaw recording
is a superb reading, I believe this version, with the composer conducting
will supercede it. The first movement’s beautiful melody is built
on a full compliment of double basses and organ. It lasts for approximately
33 minutes and not until the end do we hear the first entry of the soprano.
The second movement opens with a spray of lush strings before the mood
changes, dramatic tension in those double basses underpinning the soprano.
It’s all over within 10 minutes and then on to the fabulous third
movement. This is very romantic, 20th century music and the message is
very powerful. The performance is hypnotic, the sound is simply stunning.
Supplier: www.lipinskirecords.com
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Claude
Debussy: Nocturnes
Maurice Ravel: Daphnis and Chloé Suite No. 2.
Detroit SO, Paul Paray
Speakers Corner/Mercury SR90281 Reviewed by RSF
This 45 year old masterpiece sounds as good today as it did when first
released by Mercury Records in 1961. While there was much competition
in the catalogues for these works (complete Daphnis and Chloé by
Munch, Monteux and others as well as Debussy Nocturnes by Monteux, Giulini)
to me, this is one of the great Mercury recordings. The Abso!ute Sound’s
maven of Mercury Recordings, Sid Marks rated this in his top three dozen
releases when he completed his landmark series of Mercury reviews in the
early 1990’s. Because of all the competition, this LP never received
the recognition it deserved and so it did not sell very well. Originals
are extremely scarce. We’ve discussed in the past the merits of
Paul Paray’s ability with the repertoire of French composers. He
was one of the very best. Ravel’s orchestration of the Daphnis and
Chloé suites was quite elaborate, the instrumental accompaniment
being for full orchestra as well as 15 additional percussion instruments!
This performance is a sonic tour de force. The Debussy Nocturnes, inspired
by nature, offer a gorgeous addition and counterbalance to the Ravel.
Sonically the equal of the Daphnis, the quality of the music sets a different
pace and pattern. It’s simply beautiful music played exceptionally
well. Highest recommendation.
Supplier: www.speakerscorner.de |
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Piazzolla
Les Violons du Roy, cond. Jean-Marie Zeitouni. Pascale Giguère:
violin; Benoît Loiselle: violoncello
Atma Classique 2399 Reviewed by RSF
Atma Classique tell us, “Les Violons du Roy, best known for their
interpretations of baroque and classical masterpieces, are transformed
into a tango ensemble that caresses every nuance of Argentine composer
Astor Piazzolla’s “new tango” pieces.” Truer words
were never spoken. This is a delightful disc of compositions from the
master of the Neuvo Tango. If you are not familiar with Piazzolla’s
New Tango compositions, you will be in for a very sensual, aural treat.
Born in Argentina in 1921, Piazzolla spent most of his childhood in New
York City where he began playing the bandoneon (a reed like instrument
– similar to the accordion and concertina). He returned to Argentina
in 1937, already a prominent player in the world of Tango and began composing
in the 1950’s just as the popularity of the dance was fading. His
‘new tango’ style adds a large measure of jazz as well as
extended harmonies and dissonance to previously structured formulae.
His music is clearly revolutionary in its category and while there is
no use of the bandoneon in these performances, Les Violons du Roy offer
excellent and captivating interpretations of his work. Very accessible
music, exceptionally well recorded, this is a most enjoyable outing and
very worthy of exploration.
Supplier: atmaclassique.com |
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Niccolò
Paganini: Violin Concerto No. 4
Uto Ughi, I Filarmonici di Roma
Fonè fonè 009 LP Reviewed by AKB
Niccolò Paganini was a rebel – and in the eyes of his contemporaries,
the Genovese always seemed a bit suspect. Given his almost supernatural
musical and technical skills, that comes as no surprise! He soon attracted
a reputation as a dare-devil violinist. Uto Ughi, too, deserves this title:
undaunted by potential catastrophe the Italian plunges into the violin
part of Paganini’s Violin Concerto No. 4. He makes arpeggios crackle
down like cascades, fires staccato salvoes and masters the distances on
the finger board with verve and elegant portamento. And as if that wasn’t
enough, he adds the most lyrical expression to the second movement I have
ever heard in Paganini 4th – literally moving me to tears! His Guarnieri
del Gesù (ex Grumiaux), sounds noble and beguiling. The last movement
– what can I tell you – becomes a firework display of brilliance!
You can almost see the bow swirling through the air and the fingers flying!
The Italian label fonè, a Mecca for every music lover, spares no
effort to create a sonic experience from another dimension. Two single-sided
45rpm vinyl records bring the atmosphere of a live concert into your home.
It is pure luxury to press thirty minutes on two records – but every
gram of vinyl is worth the effort! A wonderful start to 2007! |
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Gustav
Mahler: Symphony No. 2 in C minor “Resurrection”.
Budapest FO, Fischer. Milne, sop; Remmer, alto
Channel Classics CCS SA 23506 Reviewed by RSF
After giving us an exceptionally inspired Mahler 6th (Channel Classics
22905) here we are treated to a stupendous “Resurrection”.
There are many great Mahler seconds available but this is the best I’ve
heard on SACD. As the founder of the Hungarian Mahler Society, Fischer
has the credentials and insight into one of Mahler’s masterpieces.
Channel gives us two hybrid SACDs for the price of one and Fisher and
the Budapest treat us to a well paced, gripping panorama from the orchestral
palette that only Gustav Mahler can paint. You’re engaged right
from the beginning of the first movement and with the conclusion of the
second disc, you’ll feel both emotionally drained and uplifted.
While I am a big fan of Klemperer, Walter, Bernstein and Solti, I can
now add Fischer to this list. The last 4 minutes of the 5th movement,
‘Im Tempo des Scherzo’ contains some of the finest sound I’ve
ever heard on SACD.
The forces in Budapest are captured beautifully and the ethereal, heavily
emotional portion of this symphony is laid bare for all to hear. While
the CD layer is quite excellent the SACD layer is exceptional. Truly inspired
and not to be missed!
Supplier: www.channelclassics.com |
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