Post by seth September 17, 2012 (231 of 251)
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Windsurfer said:
As Seth said in his review,
"Dare I say it, but this is the probably best sounding SACD I own."
My two cents worth? Boy is it ever!
The amazing thing is that some recent PentaTone releases are so excellent that I had doubted that I would be able to say such a thing ever again. But there it is, and - this one is worth getting just for sound quality alone.
Thanks for pointing out my typo ;)
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Windsurfer said:
As Seth said in his review,
"Dare I say it, but this is the probably best sounding SACD I own."
My two cents worth? Boy is it ever!
The amazing thing is that some recent PentaTone releases are so excellent that I had doubted that I would be able to say such a thing ever again. But there it is, and - this. one is worth getting just for sound quality alone.
The stereo mix is also quite fine sounding, perhaps even better than my usual favorite, Exton. The detail and balance are fabulous.
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Post by fausto K September 18, 2012 (233 of 251)
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Post by pgmdir September 18, 2012 (234 of 251)
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fausto K said:
A slightly more cautious review by the ever so entertaining wordsmith Gavin Plumley
http://entartetemusik.blogspot.de/2012/09/rejoicing-in-extremes.html
I'm not sure I would have said cautioous. He points out aspects which some find unusual or even disturbing, but then says
"After Alsop and Chung's recent unassertive performances, this recording is dizzyingly fresh. Fischer is an interventionist and, for that reason, this recording may not attain an award-winning benchmark spot. But for sheer theatrical guts and gall, this is unbeatable stuff."
Like I say, Ivan Fischer always seems to show me something new.
You're right about Plumley! Another bookmark for me. Thanks for posting that, Fausto.
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Post by fausto K September 26, 2012 (235 of 251)
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The other French classical music mag Classica deems the Fischer M1 a 'relatively neutral reading of the First symphony' (Sep 2012). All in all, they are not terribly positive about it, although they still give it 3 out of 4 stars, but probably so as to compare it to the even less enticing M1 from François-Xavier Roth that is also reviewed --- they have positive things to say, but these are offset by negatives. Main problems appear to be Fischer's micro-management and, again, his tempos in the first movement (the same was noted in the BBC Music magazine). Here's Classica's verdict:
"...Ivan Fischer, nous présente une lecture bien ficelée mais relativement neutre de la Première Symphonie. Le chef est moins inspiré qu'en 1988 avec 'Orchestre d'État de Hongrie (Hungaroton). Bien qu'il bénéficie aujourd'hui de superbes purpitres, il tarde à révéler toute la richesse du premier mouvement. Dans le Scherzo, la caractérisation des timbres est fine mais le phrasé manque de liant. La marche funèbre est restituée avec subtilité, trop peut-être. Le multi-micro donne des coups de projecteur sur les interventions importantes des solistes. Le Finale tonitruant semble fait pour assurer un succès sans surprise."
This review concurs with the reviews given in Gramophone, BBC Music Magazine and by some of the contributors to this forum. But Classica's reviews should be taken with a pinch of salt, since rather puzzlingly the 'objectively' great interpretation of Bruckner 5 by Abbado/Lucerne Festival Orch, which was released recently on DVD, is slated in the same issue.
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Post by Anders September 26, 2012 (236 of 251)
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fausto K said:
This review concurs with the reviews given in Gramophone, BBC Music Magazine and by some of the contributors to this forum. But Classica's reviews should be taken with a pinch of salt, since rather puzzlingly the 'objectively' great interpretation of Bruckner 5 by Abbado/Lucerne Festival Orch, which was released recently on DVD, is slated in the same issue.
Always nice with reviws but why not listen for Yourself? My philosofy is that I am the only one who can decide wether I like a recording or not.
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Post by fausto K September 26, 2012 (237 of 251)
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Anders said:
Always nice with reviws but why not listen for Yourself? My philosofy is that I am the only one who can decide wether I like a recording or not.
I have listened for myself, as you would have noticed if you had read my earlier comment on this thread:
"I have heard Fischer's M1 a couple of times now, and though there are many classic recordings of this symphony personally I'd rate it as among the four best on SACD (along with Honeck, Haitink and Zander), and together with the Honeck as in any case the best soundwise, with a slight preference for Honeck."
Personally, I find it illuminating to read various reviews, positive and negative, even though at the end of the day, my own view matters most (well, to me at least).
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Post by hiredfox September 27, 2012 (238 of 251)
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Anders said:
Always nice with reviws but why not listen for Yourself? My philosofy is that I am the only one who can decide wether I like a recording or not.
That's fine of course but not enough as a contribution to this forum where surely one is trying one's best to offer fair critique to other buyers before they buy. If you like something surely you will know why or conversely if you dislike something.
Otherwise it is just lazy to say "I like it" FULL STOP?
"I don't know why I love you but I do.... "
He'd never get away with that in 2012, certainly with none of the gals I know!
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Post by hiredfox September 27, 2012 (239 of 251)
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fausto K said:
I'd rate it as among the four best on SACD
Set yourself a difficult challenge there didn't you!
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Post by fausto K September 27, 2012 (240 of 251)
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hiredfox said:
Set yourself a difficult challenge there didn't you!
no need to be snarky, hiredfox. I've got 8 Mahler 1 on SACD along with a further 6 on RBCD, and even one on good old vinyl. So you could call me obsessive, but not that I'm taking the easy way out. Choosing one out of all these is indeed no easy thing (and so I won't).
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