Read our latest SACD, DVD-A, and xrcd Reviews

SACD, DVD-A, and xrcd Reviews articles now available via RSS:

“Shakespeare’s Tempest” - SIR ARTHUR SULLIVAN: Incidental music for The Tempest; JEAN SIBELIUS: Prelude & Suites #2 & #1 from Incidental music for The Tempest - Kansas City Symphony/Michael Stern - Reference Recordings Published on July 07, 2008 The added resolution of the HDCD codec does enhance transparency and dynamic range of the standard CD.
Benjamin Herman Plays Jaki Byard - A Records Published on July 07, 2008 Saxist Herman is one of the most original and productive jazz musicians in the Netherlands today.
RACHMANINOV: Symphony No. 2 in E minor Op. 27; RIMSKY-KORSAKOV: Capriccio Espagnol Op. 34 - Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra/Edo de Waart - PentaTone Published on July 07, 2008 Rachmaninov's richly colorful sound, with strong lyricism and great breadth, is on full view in this four-movement symphony.
“Stardust Melody” - Beloved and Rare Songs of Hoagy Carmichael - A Records Published on July 05, 2008 Album producer and trumpeter Dick Sudhalter wrote a book “The Life and Music of Hoagy Carmichael.”
McCoy Tyner Quartet - New York Reunion - Chesky Published on July 05, 2008 The surround SACD version of the earlier stereo SACD and the standard CD before that.
The David Hazeltine Trio - The Jobim Songbook in New York - Chesky Records Published on July 03, 2008 This is a most welcome instrumental entry in the recent rediscovery of the original bossa nova by jazz performers.
ANONYMOUS: Estampies & Danses Royales: Le Manuscrit du Roi - Arranged and performed by Jordi Savall and Hespèrion XXI - Alia Vox Published on July 03, 2008 Using his “historically creative performance” method, Savall arranged it all in a vibrant, beguiling, and energetic fashion.
BUXTEHUDE: 7 Sonatas, Op. 1 – L’estravagante – Arts Published on July 02, 2008 A must-have release in formidable surround sound
JOSEF GABRIEL RHEINBERGER: Chamber music with organ = Suite in C minor for Violin and Organ; Three Pieces from Op. 150; Suite for organ, violin and cello Op. 149 - Hannfried Lucke, organ/ Melina Mandozzi, violin/Orfeo Mandozzi, cello - Carus Published on June 30, 2008 With the concluding Op. 149 for organ, violin and cello, things come live on the grander scale of this 37-minute work.
SCHUMANN: Das Paradies und die Peri - Dorothea Roschmann, soprano/ Bernarda Fink, contralto/ Chorus and Orchestra of the Bayerischen Rundfunks/ Nikolaus Harnoncourt - RCA Red Seal Published on June 30, 2008 An exemplary performance of an unjustly neglected masterwork.
"Complete Organ Works" of MARTIN RADECK, ARNOLD MATTHIAS BRUNCKHORST, JOHANN STEFFENS, DANIEL ERICH, CHRISTIAN RITTER, JOHANN NICOLAUS HANFF - Friedhelm Flamme, organ (Christian-Vater-Orgel, Bockhorn, Germany) - CPO Published on June 30, 2008 This disc is very highly recommended to those wanting to explore off the main path of Buxtehude and Bach.
MORTEN GAATHAUG: String Quartet No. 2; Six Songs to Poems by Jens Bjørneboe; Quintet for Piano and Strings - Various performers - 2L Published on June 30, 2008 This original, accessible composer’s works have been recorded with superb fidelity and clarity.
BERLIOZ: Benvenuto Cellini (complete opera) – London Symphony Orchestra & Chorus/Sir Colin Davis, et al – LSO Live Published on June 26, 2008
DEBUSSY: Preludes for Piano (complete - TrackList below) - Evgeni Koroliov, piano - Tacet Published on June 23, 2008 Today we have multichannel hi-res recording, so why not employ it in a creative manner to surround the listener with Debussy’s unique sound-world?
OFFENBACH: Overtures: La Vie Pariesienne; Orphee aux Enfers; Monsieur et Madame Denis; La Belle Helene; La Grande Duchesse; Barbe-Bleue; DELIBES: La Source - Vienna State Opera Orch./Hermann Scherchen/Paris Conservatory Orch./Peter Maag - HDTT Published on June 22, 2008 Another audiophile delight from HDTT, here taking the Scherchen tribute to Jacques Offenbach operettas from 4-track Westminster prerecorded tape.
WAGNER: Tristan und Isolde (The Duet Scenes) – Deborah Polaski, Isolde/ Johan Botha, Tristan/ Vienna Singverein/ Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra/ Bertrand de Billy, conductor – Oehms Published on June 22, 2008 This is some of the most vivid SACD sound I have ever heard!
Blue Coast Collection - The E.S.E. Sessions - Various Artists - Blue Coast Published on June 20, 2008 The exceptional results of this new label's recording approach are instantly hearable on this demo disc.
A Selection from Test-Records 1, 2 & 3 - Opus 3 Published on June 18, 2008 This was my favorite standard CD test disc for years in a gold CD version.
A Meeting by the River - Water Lily Acoustics/Analogue Productions Published on June 18, 2008 Two slide-guitarists' spontaneous improvisations - one from the West and one from India.
Hugh Masekela - Hope - Triloka Records/Analogue Productions Published on June 18, 2008 This was a live show by Masekela and his band recorded at Washington D.C.’s Blues Alley back in l993.
MOZART: Quintet for Clarinet and Strings in A Major; Quintet for Horn and Strings in E-Flat Major; Quartet for Oboe and Strings in F Major - Kuijken String Quartet/Lorenzo Coppola, clarinet/Pierre-Yves Madeuf, Horn/Patrick Beaugiraud, oboe - Challenge Published on June 18, 2008 Mozart's chamber music is warm and satisfying on original instruments.
PROKOFIEV: Symphony No. 5 in B flat Major Op. 100 - London Symphony Orchestra/Sir Malcolm Sargent - Everest/Classic Records - DVD-A/DVD-V + CD Published on June 18, 2008 Another fine 3-channel 35mm magnetic film transfer by Classic; this one unscathed by deterioration of the original film material.
MILHAUD: La Creation du Monde; DEBUSSY: Khamma--Ballet; Rhapsody for Clarinet and Orchestra - Boston Symphony Orchestra/Charles Munch (Milhaud) /Suisse Romande Orchestra/Ernest Ansermet - HDTT Published on June 17, 2008 The Dance of Desire and Fugue proves a rousing, multi-dimensional sound-byte, worthy of any audiophile’s attentions.
FRANZ BIBER: Soldiers, Gypsies, Farmers and a Night Watchman - Combattimento Consort Amsterdam/Jan Willem de Vriend - Challenge Published on June 17, 2008 Leave it to creative Dutch musicians to come up with a fresh and interesting take on an area of early music that is going to win a much wider audience
SEQUENTIA - The Rheingold Curse - A Germanic Saga of Greed and Revenge from the Medieval Icelandic Edda – Sequentia/Benjamin Bagby, et al – Marc Aurel Edition Published on June 17, 2008 Explore the origins of the Germanic legends used in Wagner's Ring Cycle
CARL ORFF: Carmina Burana - Ann Achibald, sop./John Graham-Hall, tenor/ Peter Sidhom, baritone/Royal Choral Society/The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/Richard Cooke - Membran Published on June 17, 2008 Just one of the over 150 SACDs in the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Series
RAVEL: Daphnis et Chloe (complete ballet); Pavane pour une infante défunte - Boston Symphony Orchestra (Orchestre de Paris in Pavane)/ Charles Munch - HDTT Published on June 16, 2008 A 1961 recording by same forces as in the well-known 1955 version of the famous Ravel ballet score.
Solo + = SOMMERFELDT: Sonata Saxifraga; HVOSLEF: Violin Solo; PLAGGE: Duels; KARLSEN: Fantasia Religiosa; KRUSE: Memento mori; Bjorklund: 3 Contrasts – Stig Nilsson & Anders Kjellberg Nilsson, violins – 2L Published on June 14, 2008 A stunning bit of playing in music of attractive worth, in super sonics
BACH: Motets BWV 225-230 – Siebe Henstra, harpsichord/ Lucia Swarts, cello/ Netherlands Chamber Choir/ Peter Dijkstra, conductor – Channel Classics Published on June 14, 2008 Now the best-sounding rendition of these works that we have
HAYDN: String Quartets Nos. 1 - 6, Op. 20, “Sun” - Pellegrini Quartet – CPO Published on June 12, 2008 Those wanting the personal and gritty side of Haydn will find much to admire in the performances.
FRANZ SCHMIDT: Das Buch Mit Sieben Siegeln (The Book of Seven Seals) – Wiener Singverein/ Tonkünstler-Orchester/ Kristjan Järvi – Chandos Published on June 11, 2008 This piece is a must for those who are devoted to sacred choral music.
Monty Alexander plays the songs of Tony Bennett - The Good Life - Chesky Published on June 11, 2008 Monty loves singers, and one of his mother’s favorite songs was Bennett’s "Because of You."
RACHMANINOV: Symphony No. 1 in D Minor, Op. 13; TCHAIKOVSKY: Romeo and Juliet--Fantasy Overture in B Minor - Philadelphia Orchestra/Eugene Ormandy; Boston Symphony Orchestra/Charles Munch (Romeo) - HDTT DVD-R or CD-R Published on June 10, 2008 The Rachmaninov comes from a Columbia 1/4-track prerecorded tape and the Tchaikovsky from a RCA 1/4-track tape.
HANDEL: Organ Concertos, Op. 4 – Academy of Ancient Music /Richard Egarr, organ, harpsichord and direction – Harmonia mundi Published on June 10, 2008 A well-recorded, extremely well-played and historically informed performance by organist/conductor Richard Egarr.
SCHUBERT: String Quartet in G; String Trios in B Flat Major – the Prazak Quartet and the Beethoven Trio – Praga Digitals Published on June 10, 2008 The Prazak Quartet is one of the finest chamber ensembles of our generation.
BEETHOVEN: Symphony No. 3, “Eroica” – Helsingborg Symphony Orchestra /Andrew Manze – Harmonia mundi Published on June 10, 2008 This excellent disc is as full-bodied as they come, and offers an insightful interpretation in the guise of a “concept” album of sorts.
* “Divertimenti” - BRITTEN: Simple Symphony; GRAZYNA BACEWICZ: Concerto for String Orchestra; TERJE BJORKLUND: Carmina; BARTOK: Divertimento for Strings - Trondheim Soloists/Øyvind Gimse - 2L Published on June 09, 2008 ******** MULTICHANNEL DISC OF THE MONTH ******* The first opportunity to compare many different surround formats on an audio-only Blu-ray disc with SACD and CD.
SIBELIUS: Symphonies Nos. 5 in E Flat & 7 in C; En Saga - Boston Symphony Orchestra/Sir Colin Davis - PentaTone Published on June 08, 2008 The sonics of this RQR recording meets current surround sound standards easily , even without the center channel or separate LFE feed.
ELGAR: Symphony No. 1 in A Flat Major; Sonata for Organ in G Major (Transcribed by Gordon Jacob) - BBC National Orchestra of Wales/Richard Hickox - Chandos Published on June 08, 2008 The transcription of the Organ Sonata is almost like a new Elgar Symphony.
“Garden of Early Delights” - 16 works from Renaissance and Early Baroque - Pamela Thorby, recorders/ Andrew Lawrence-King, harp & psaltery - Linn Published on June 07, 2008 A mixed bouquet of diverse, joyous, unusual and eloquent pieces
Gary Karr, Bass Virtuoso - ECCLES: Sonata for Double Bass & Piano; 6 short works by KOUSSEVITSKY, BLOCH, LORENZITTI, RAVEL & PAGANINI; ALEC WILDER: Works for Doublebass & Piano - with Jeffrey Siegel & Bernie Lieghton, pianists - Classic Records HDAD Published on June 05, 2008 Rich, gorgeous sounds from the unlikely bass string instrument in the hands of a master.
MOZART: Requiem – London Symphony Orchestra/ Sir Colin Davis, conductor – LSO Live Published on June 05, 2008 Offers remarkably good sound, capturing a really lush, believable surround sound representation of London’s Barbican.
Scattered Rhymes – Vocal music of GUILLAME DE MACHAUT and TARIK O’REGAN – The Orlando Consort/ Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir – Harmonia mundi Published on June 05, 2008 The listener can easily pinpoint the locations of the various vocalists in the excellent representation of the acoustic of the Greyfriars Church in Edinburgh, Scotland.
GLAZUNOV & TCHAIKOVSKY: Violin Concertos – Vadim Gluzman, violin/ Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra /Andrew Litton, conductor – BIS Published on June 05, 2008 A reference-quality surround recording, with near-definitive performances.
BEETHOVEN: Symphony No. 7; Works by CARL MARIA VON WEBER, ROSSINI and JOHANN WILHELM WILMS – Budapest Festival Orchestra /Ivan Fischer, conductor – Channel Classics Published on June 05, 2008 Channel Classics provides a spectacular Meitner/Pyramix -based DSD recording, and the sound is absolutely to die for.
MOZART: Complete Sonatas for Keyboard and Violin, Vol. 5 – Gary Cooper, fortepiano/ Rachel Podger, violin – Channel Classics Published on June 05, 2008 Chronology of the sonatas has been jumbled about, so you get a really good mix of youthful and mature works.
MAHLER: Symphony No. 1 - London Symphony Orchestra - LSO Published on June 03, 2008 Gergiev seemed a bit lower-key and held back compared to his previous recordings.
Art Tatum - Piano Starts Here - Live at the Shrine - Zenph Studios Re-Performance - Multichannel SACD + Binaural, Sony BMG Classics Published on June 02, 2008 This is the second re-performance SACD to be released by Zenph Studios.
Hiromi’s Sonicbloom - Beyond Standard - Telarc Published on May 30, 2008 The opening half-minute of scratchy mono from the center channel sets up the stage for the mostly retro tunes to be delivered in updated fashion.
Gene Bertoncini, guitar, with string quintet - Concerti - Ambient Published on May 29, 2008 A most enjoyable entry in the again-growing chamber jazz genre.
MESSIAEN Chamber Works - Quartet for the End of Time; Theme and variations; Piece for Piano and String Quartet, Fantaisie; Le Merle noir - Hebrides Ensemble - Linn Records Published on May 27, 2008 This seems to be the first SACD incarnation of one of the 20th century’s most important works of chamber music.
“Jazz Side of the Moon” - The Music of Pink Floyd - Chesky Records Published on May 27, 2008 A few rock albums have been given jazz treatments, but I feel this one may well become recognized as the best to date.
Christ lag in Todesbanden = SCHEIDEMANN, TUNDER, BOHM, BACH; WECKMANN: Praeambulum primi toni a 5; BUXTEHUDE: Praeludium in C; BRUHNS: Praeludium in G; BACH: Sonata in C; Toccata and Fugue in F – Johannes Strobl, Organ - Audite Published on May 24, 2008 Rafter-shaking sound with heaven-shaking music make for a great experience
BEETHOVEN: Symphonies Nos. 1 and 3 – Royal Flemish Philharmonic/ Philippe Herreweghe, conductor – Pentatone Published on May 24, 2008 The start of a new complete set that will be worth collecting
The Bassface Swing Trio - Tribute to Cole Porter - Stockfisch Published on May 23, 2008 A hi-res stereo encore from the Bassface Trio to their first Stockfisch album, a tribute to George Gershwin
J. S. BACH: Goldberg Variations – Winfried Bönig, organ – Motette Published on May 20, 2008 A must-have disc from the pedagogical point of view and for those who like me think that Bach, to quote a friend of mine, “is everything” in music.
Yellowjackets, featuring Mike Stern - Lifecycle - Heads Up Published on May 19, 2008 The new collaborative effort has two original tunes from Stern, with the rest of the ten tracks coming from the various group members.
KHACHATURIAN: Concerto for Piano and Orchestra - Peter Katin, piano/London Symphony Orchestra/ Hugo Rignold - Classic Records Published on May 18, 2008 A brilliant piano concerto colored by the Armenian folk background of the composer.
SHOSTAKOVICH: Symphony No. 5 Op. 47; Coachman’s Dance - Moscow State Symphony Orchestra/ Pavel Kogan - Classic Records HDAD Published on May 17, 2008 A newly-recorded project done nine years ago in Graz, Austria by the well-known producing team of Marc Aubort and Joanna Nickrenz.
DEBUSSY: La mer; HENRY DUTILLEUX: L’Arbe des songes (Violin Concerto); RAVEL: La valse - Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra/Mariss Jansons/Dmitry Sitkovetsky, violin (in L’Arbe) - RCO Live Published on May 15, 2008 Not your usual Debussy/Ravel program by any means.
RAVEL: Bolero; BORODIN: Music from “Kismet;” BIZET: Suites from “Carmen”; ALBENIZ-ARBOS: Fete-Dieu a Seville, from “Iberia” - Cincinnati Pops Orchestra/Erich Kunzel - Telarc Published on May 11, 2008 The newest in the long-running Kunzel/Cincinnati Pops series of SACDs is another sonic blockbuster.
DONIZETTI: Imelda de’Lambertazzi (complete opera) – Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment/Nicole Cabell/James Westman/Mássimo Giordano/ Frank Lopardo/Brindley Sherratt/Mark Elder – Operara Rara Published on May 11, 2008 A highly recommended recording of a “lost” opera and a must for Verdi connoisseurs as well; kudos to Opera Rara for the great open surround sound.
* SHOSTAKOVICH: Symphony No. 5 in D minor Op. 47 (1937); Seven Romances on Poems of Alexander Blok Op. 127 (1967) - Philadelphia Orchestra/Christoph Eschenbach; Yvonne Naef, mezzo/Juliette Kang, violin/Hai-Ye Ni, cello/Eschenbach, piano - Ondine Published on May 10, 2008 ********* MULTICHANNEL DISC OF THE MONTH ********
SCRIABIN: The Poem of Ecstasy Op. 54; AMIROV: Azerbaijan Mugam - Houston Symphony Orchestra/Leopold Stokowski - Classic Records Published on May 08, 2008 2 discs: CD + DualDisc DVD with both 2 & 3-channel DVD-Audio one side and both 2 & 3-channel Dolby Digital on other side

Read More SACD, DVD-A, and xrcd Reviews articles in our SACD, DVD-A, and xrcd Reviews Archive

Location: Home » SACD, DVD-A, and xrcd Reviews