Post by Peter May 10, 2005 (1 of 8)
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Stereo sonics: top sound
I had thought of leaving my little review at that but concern for the Earth's ozone layer being harmed by the greenhouse gases produced by so few words has made me back off.
This wonderful SACD arrived this morning and, having listened to it quite captivated by the wonderful performances and superb engineering, I was surprised that it had not been reviewed here. Indeed, it has attracted only one recommendation, a negative one at that.
Munch seems to make the BSO sound like a top flight French orchestra in that the performances sound so authentic; the playing is sensitive and powerful, the balance superb. There is depth to the recording which is a credit to the minimal number of microphones used, but the balance and ensemble are down to the inspiring conducting of Munch.
Has anyone else heard this record and found it to be as enthralling as I have?
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Post by Castor May 10, 2005 (2 of 8)
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>Indeed, it has attracted only one recommendation, a negative one at that.
(?) 4 out of 5 recommend this.
>Munch seems to make the BSO sound like a top flight French orchestra
Is "top flight French orchestra" an oxymoron? ( sorry - being facetious ):)
>the performances sound so authentic; the playing is sensitive and powerful, the balance superb. There is depth to the recording which is a credit to the minimal number of microphones used, but the balance and ensemble are down to the inspiring conducting of Munch.
Has anyone else heard this record and found it to be as enthralling as I have?
Seriously Peter, I totally agree with your opinion of the performances and recording.The Debussy impressed me even more than the Ravel. You should try the other Munch Living Stereo SACDs eg Ravel Daphnis and Chloe, Ibert Escales etc.Berlioz Requiem. They are all a revelation.
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Post by Peter May 10, 2005 (3 of 8)
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Castor said:
>Indeed, it has attracted only one recommendation, a negative one at that.
(?) 4 out of 5 recommend this.
I'm certain it was 0 out of 1 when I wrote my few words!
>Munch seems to make the BSO sound like a top flight French orchestra
Is "top flight French orchestra" an oxymoron? ( sorry - being facetious ):)
It crossed my mind as well, but I have a soft spot for the Lamoureux and Paris Cons....
>the performances sound so authentic; the playing is sensitive and powerful, the balance superb. There is depth to the recording which is a credit to the minimal number of microphones used, but the balance and ensemble are down to the inspiring conducting of Munch.
Has anyone else heard this record and found it to be as enthralling as I have?
Seriously Peter, I totally agree with your opinion of the performances and recording.The Debussy impressed me even more than the Ravel. You should try the other Munch Living Stereo SACDs eg Ravel Daphnis and Chloe, Ibert Escales etc.Berloz Requiem. They are all a revelation.
I have all those; the Requiem has been a profound learning experience for me. As you say, a revelation.
Castor said:
>Indeed, it has attracted only one recommendation, a negative one at that.
(?) 4 out of 5 recommend this.
---I'm certain it was 0 out of 1 when I wrote my few words!---
>Munch seems to make the BSO sound like a top flight French orchestra
Is "top flight French orchestra" an oxymoron? ( sorry - being facetious ):)
---It crossed my mind as well, but I have a soft spot for the Lamoureux and Paris Cons....---
>the performances sound so authentic; the playing is sensitive and powerful, the balance superb. There is depth to the recording which is a credit to the minimal number of microphones used, but the balance and ensemble are down to the inspiring conducting of Munch.
Has anyone else heard this record and found it to be as enthralling as I have?
Seriously Peter, I totally agree with your opinion of the performances and recording.The Debussy impressed me even more than the Ravel. You should try the other Munch Living Stereo SACDs eg Ravel Daphnis and Chloe, Ibert Escales etc.Berloz Requiem. They are all a revelation.
---I have all those; the Requiem has been a profound learning experience for me. As you say, a revelation.---
All good wishes, Peter
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Post by Peter May 10, 2005 (4 of 8)
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Sorry about posting twice as much as needed. Aaaaagh....
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Post by ramesh May 10, 2005 (5 of 8)
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Hello, all…
Look at Jonathan Swain's rave review of this CD, done of the original LS CD release, in Gramophone. Should be on their website. The only thing of significance he omits, is the air of extraordinary menace in the Boléro. This normally clocks in around 15 minutes, but Munch does it at 13:49. Blows away those Torvill & Dean languorous cobwebs. I think Järvi on his SACD is even quicker, but there isn't the tension, much of which seems to be generated in Munch by the close and punchy recording of the ostinato rhythm. Would any UK reader like to comment on the original liner note, which claims, 'A jig is normally a gay dance of Scottish origin'? BMG could have upsampled this by about forty years.
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Post by diw June 21, 2010 (6 of 8)
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I would like to get a version of the complete Images, not just Iberia, on SACD. And I think this is still the only one. Is it a 3 channel or 2 channel recording? Do you folks recommend it?
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Post by fafnir June 21, 2010 (7 of 8)
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diw said:
I would like to get a version of the complete Images, not just Iberia, on SACD. And I think this is still the only one. Is it a 3 channel or 2 channel recording? Do you folks recommend it?
There are three channel tracks (the Debussy) and two channel tracks (the Ravel). The Debussy is the better recording, but still not up to anything like modern standards. Terrific performances, though.
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Post by seth June 21, 2010 (8 of 8)
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fafnir said:
There are three channel tracks (the Debussy) and two channel tracks (the Ravel). The Debussy is the better recording, but still not up to anything like modern standards. Terrific performances, though.
With the exception of La Valse, these are terrific performances, but the sound is pretty problematic. The soundstage is very shallow -- it sounds like the percussion has been placed next to the conductor.
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