| Review by DSD October 7, 2005 (7 of 9 found this review helpful)
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This as a review comparing the Telarc and the Mercury Living Presense Howard Hanson SACDs listened to in 2 channel Stereo::
Hanson: Symphony No. 1 "Nordic", Symphony No. 2 "Romantic", Song of Democracy
Howard Hanson (conductor), Eastman-Rochester Orchestra, Eastman School of Music Chorus
Mercury Living Presence SACD 475 618-1
Howard Hanson: Fanfare for the Signal Corps, Suite from Merry Mount, Bold Island Suite, Symphony No. 2 Op. 30 "Romantic", Erich Kunzel (conductor) Cincinnati Pops Orchestra
Telarc SACD-60649
Folks this is all the Howard Hanson on SACD so far, I hope much more Hanson is released, both Hanson the composer and Hanson the conductor.
Let me state I like both of these SACDs but for different reasons.
So let’s start with the one work that is common to both SACDs: The Symphony No. 2 “Romantic”
Hanson’s MLP version is vastly superior to the Kunzel Telarc not only in performance but in sonics. The warm deep bass of the Paavo Jarvi Dvorak SACD is not here, the Telarc sound is very good but the Mercury has more and deeper bass, more impact and more excitement. Plus the Hanson’s is a better conductor of his own works than Erich Kunzel is.
The other works on the Mercury Living Presence SACD is the First Symphony which is a very exciting and wonderful piece and the Song for Democracy which has vocals and they are very well blended with the orchestra with lots of sparkling high percussion and tops the disc of nicely. A fantastic sounding Mercury and highly recommended.
I am sorry to say the sound on the Telarc Howard Hanson SACD is pale by comparison. The music here is less exciting, less rhythmic and more “easy listening”. This is hard for me to say as I usually love Erich Kunzel’s recordings but this is his first try at more mainstream works and I believe his first ever recording of a symphony. The SACD starts of with a 1 minute fanfare written during World War II. Next follows the Merry Mount Suite which is one of my favorite Howard Hanson compositions and the Maypole dances get a decent performance, however I have heard other conductors stress the rhythms better. The Bold Island Suite is a world premier recording and it is a nice sounding piece.
This SACD is lightweight. I recommend it with reservations.
From the booklet explains Kunzel’s interest in Howard Hanson’s music.
"My home on Swan’s Island, Maine faces west. I can see Bold Island from our living room, and depending on the time of year, the sunsets right over Hanson’s Island. We frequently sail by the Island and see Howard Hanson’s rustic home nestled in the inviting cove …"
Erich Kunzel
Happy listening,
Teresa
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