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Although I don't put much stock in awards, this SACD was voted the "Best Surround Sound Album" Grammy winner. Now, I don't know if this in fact is the "best surround album" of the year, and while this isn't enough to restore my confidence in awards generally, it is a pleasant surprise and somewhat reassuring when quality is recognized.
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Cherubino said:
Although I don't put much stock in awards, this SACD was voted the "Best Surround Sound Album" Grammy winner. Now, I don't know if this in fact is the "best surround album" of the year, and while this isn't enough to restore my confidence in awards generally, it is a pleasant surprise and somewhat reassuring when quality is recognized.
Have you listened to it?
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Post by Gigi February 11, 2009 (3 of 8)
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Hi
this is without doubt the best recording of the "Pictures at an Exhibition" the stereo SACD version is the best also. The award is rightly and fully well assigned.
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Windsurfer said:
Have you listened to it?
I have the disc, but only have a 2-channel set up.
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Post by fafnir February 11, 2009 (5 of 8)
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Windsurfer said:
Have you listened to it?
Bruce,
I purchased this disc primarily because I wanted a decent performance in terrific SACD sound. I was most pleasantly surprised: Not only does it feature the best sound I have ever heard in this work, but it is also, IMHO, an excellent performance, worthy of comparison (almost, but not quite the equal) to Reiner's classic account.
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The sound IS very nice, full and natural.
I didn't think much of the performance though, of Pictures (but then again, I'm not a fan of Reiner's either.)
Night on Bald Mountain and Khovanshchina Prelude are fantastic...but I also have to say the disc is too short, as well.
Granted it was never on my buying list (I borrowed it from the library, living in Cincinnati means easy access to almost all CSO CDs), but still...
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jeff3948 criticizes this disc in part because the brass are all on the right side. I admit to not having paid attention to the seating when I visited the Cincinatti Symphony last November to hear Julia Fischer play Dvorak's concerto (breathtaking!) but just last week I was in Los Angeles and noticed that ALL the brass were seated right of center - Tuba most right then Trombones.
Trumpets and French Horns were in front of the Trombones. The 5 horns extended all most to the center. This was for Francesca Da Rimini and Prokofiev' 5th Symphony. Also for the Prokofiev, the Grand Piano was on the extreme right. We were seated in a section of Disney Hall to the rear and a little above the orchestra. What an interesting experience! Not one I particularly want to repeat with any frequency however - Boy was it LOUD ! ... and the most extreme ping pong stereo effects I ever heard. No real depth or hall sound perceptible but the strings were surprisingly sweet for being so close.
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Cherubino said:
Although I don't put much stock in awards, this SACD was voted the "Best Surround Sound Album" Grammy winner. Now, I don't know if this in fact is the "best surround album" of the year, and while this isn't enough to restore my confidence in awards generally, it is a pleasant surprise and somewhat reassuring when quality is recognized.
I bought it for the best surround disc. I dont play much classical but the surround sound is better than the telarc 1812 disc. my speakers and amps are more than a 5.1 playback that I like better so I can hear a wider soundfeild.
ps I only played it back to find something wrong with it. found nothing and enjoyed the surround sound.
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