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Some new Super Audio (SACD) & new Classical Recordings "Once you hear a Super Audio CD, you
will never want to go back." Joel Brinkley, New York Times, December 9, 1999.
IntroductionSACDs are the latest & greatest in new media ; forget CDs.. which are 20 year old technology in comparison. This page will focus on reviews of new SACDs and their respective performing artists. If you listen to music seriously, you will already know about SACD or Audio-DVDs. As I build a new SACD collection I will review the discs as I go. My player, which arrives next week is a Marantz SA8400 with Stereo output only. I already have some SACDs because the latest hybrid types play in ordinary CD players. Bach , Best of Play Bach : Jacques Loussier Trio (Jazz Genre TELARC) ; not as good as his first series which came out in the late 50s, with some slightly heavy, over the top drumming taking to much of a dominant role in places. However, many good enjoyable moments from this masterful Bach player. Definitely features Loussier's famous light touch on the keyboard. Vincent Charbonnier, bass, is not the original double bass player ; I find his playing creates too much fuss and draws too much unwanted attention towards the double bass. The original members in 1959 were Pierre Michelot and Christian Garros and these are the ones to look out for. Loussier himself is always reliable and inspired ** Bach Cantatas, Thomas Quasthoff (DGG) : Great singing. Choir very smooth. Orchestra a little bland, but they manage not to completely ruin the Bach. Too much white tone, but linear enough to listen to. Not as good as Richter's Bach orchestra. Not modern playing, but thankfully not completely Baroque string style either. Overall a good disc. It is Quasthoff, of course, who makes all the magic happen. *** Elgar Violin Concerto, Hilary Hahn (DGG) : Somehow I read an awful review of this on the net... turns out to be rubbish.. ( the review.. not the playing ! ) The playing is of course magnifique ! This is a large scale violin concerto and a big one to digest... but a masterful work, and the best recording I have ever heard. Hilary Hahn is one top violinist of all time.. I will be hearing her live here in Bristol in a couple of weeks ! **** Tchaikovsky, Korngold, Anne Sophie Mutter (DGG) : Well, she takes too many liberties with the Tchaik. tempo wise.. I like it more strict, but what a good live performance... just not my top choice ; think how many other versions she is up against ! However, the Korngold is well worth it ! A great little concerto, and Anne Sophie Mutter really plays it to its best. The Korngold really makes this disc. *** Mozart, Clarinet Concert (Musical Fidelity) : The clarinet is a little bland in colour, and the phrasing rather elementary. Good orchestral support. Not exactly Deutsche Grammophone standards musically, though technically the disc is well produced... I'm sorry to say only one star ! *
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