| Review by jmvilleneuve April 21, 2005 (6 of 7 found this review helpful)
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Performance:  Sonics: |
Having heard of this recording as the best possible exemple of SACD (DSD) technology through SONOMA records I was having very high expectations for this recording. My initial reaction was a bit of a deception because this recording is not the best in terms or reproducing the acoustics of a large space.
But after repeated auditions I warmed up to this recording and it is spectacular in terms of dynamics, frequency range and accuracy. And it is obviously first and foremost a multi-channel recording.
Event more exciting is the quality of arrangements and the variety of musical choices. The majority of the arrangements were made by the leader of the brass ensemble Mr Ashton, but 4 arrangement of Bach`s cantats excerpts were made by the organist.
My favorite track is number eleven wich is an arrangement of a Monteverdi toccata played in a baroque manner (less vibrato clean dty attack denser sound, etc.) by 3 trumpets 3 trombones and a dash of organ.
Another good one is track 3 wich is a Gabrieli canon a 12 pieces played with 8 brass and organ. There is a fantastic wall of sound at the end.
For a fuller review check my website at:
http://www.geocities.com/jmserre/ENSonomaBrass.html
I am looking forward to other efforts by Sonoma records.
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| Review by mwagner1962 May 18, 2005 (4 of 4 found this review helpful)
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I am going to agree with the previous reviewer 100% I have given this SACD two complete listens, and I find the lack of substantial air to be strangely missing. I will confess, however, that I am not familiar with the recording venue that this SACD was done in. (On an unrelated side note...based on the picture in the booklet of the organ used, I have to confess that this organ is one drop dead beautiful beast!!!!!!)
As a trumpet player, I have played many of these pieces (though maybe not the exact arrangements). I was bothered at first by the lack of decent space around the player, then I looked at the placement of the musicians for the recording...this probably explains the lack of serious air I get from the many (and I mean MANY) other recordings of brass music I own.
Despite my reservations on the less than spacious sound attained here, I cannot fault the players. Some of the top players in the NYC area are on this SACD, and the playing is simply stunning. I cannot really add any more comments other than the playing is world class.
I just wish that perhaps the venue used could have revealed (or been allowed to reveal) some more space which would be more than appropriate for such music.
My $.02!!!
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| Review by Croc June 28, 2006 (1 of 7 found this review helpful)
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this is one of the few that i'm really regret about.
all those promotions and great reviews............
for me it was very boring and 25$ thrown away...........
sonicaly it's very good but no much low bass.
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