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SACD

Sir Colin Davis, London Symphony Orchestra – Beethoven: Fidelio (2006) [SACD / LSO Live – LSO0593]

adminJuly 21, 2025 283 Views

Title: Sir Colin Davis, London Symphony Orchestra – Beethoven: Fidelio (2006)
Genre: Classical
Format: MCH SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

Best of 2007 Classical CDs ‘This thrilling performance was given in the Barbican last May when Sir Colin excelled himself in the power & nobility of his interpretation, with the LSO in terrific form, & the American soprano Christine Brewer sang with gleaming white-hot tone as Leonore. The final paean of joy at liberation is overwhelming. 1st-class recording quality.

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1 min read

SACD

Gundula Janowitz, Berliner Philharmoniker, Herbert Von Karajan – Beethoven – Incidental Music to Egmont, Wellington’s Victory, Grosse Fuge (1969/2020) [SACD / Universal (Japan) – UCGG-9175]

adminJuly 21, 2025 218 Views

Title: Gundula Janowitz, Berliner Philharmoniker, Herbert Von Karajan – Beethoven – Incidental Music to Egmont, Wellington’s Victory, Grosse Fuge (1969/2020)
Genre: Classical
Format: SACD ISO

Encore Press 35th Anniversary of Karajan’s Death “Egmont” and “Wellington’s Victory” were recorded in January 1969 together with the overture collection. These two pieces are coupled with the “Grand Fugue” for string orchestra recorded in St. Moritz in August of the same year.

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1 min read

SACD

London Symphony Orchestra, Krystian Zimerman, Sir Simon Rattle – Beethoven: Complete Piano Concertos (2021) [SACD / Universal (Japan) – UCGG-9207]

adminJuly 21, 2025 247 Views

Title: London Symphony Orchestra, Krystian Zimerman, Sir Simon Rattle – Beethoven: Complete Piano Concertos (2021)
Genre: Classical
Format: SACD ISO

Krystian Zimerman, Sir Simon Rattle, and Ludwig van Beethoven: three exceptional musicians and five great piano concertos are brought together for a landmark recording. This release is among the highlights to conclude our Beethoven anniversary celebrations. Over 30 years ago, in 1989, Krystian Zimerman and Leonard Bernstein recorded Beethoven’s Piano Concertos Nos. 3, 4 and 5. They were united in their total dedication to music – in mind, heart and soul – resulting in an exceptional recording. Sadly, Bernstein died before the cycle was recorded in completion. Zimerman went on to conduct the remaining Concertos Nos. 1 and 2 from the keyboard in 1991. Now, 30 years after his first recordings, Zimerman returns to Beethoven’s Piano Concertos. He offers an exceptional new interpretation recorded with Sir Simon Rattle and the London Symphony Orchestra. Recording all five of Beethoven’s piano concertos during the pandemic was “like chamber music on a great scale“, as Krystian Zimerman tells Apple Music. Read on in the editor’s notes and listen to this album in Apple Music. The album is available for download & streaming (including in Dolby Atmos), as a 3-CD digipack, 5-LP vinyl box, and as an exclusive and limited edition of the 5-LP vinyl-box with a signed booklet by Krystian Zimerman.

hraudio | Deutsche Grammophon | discogs

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2 min read

SACD

Beck – Sea Change (2002) [SACD / Geffen Records – 0694935372]

adminJuly 21, 2025 243 Views

Title: Beck – Sea Change (2002)
Genre: Rock
Format: MCH SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

Beck has always been known for his ever-changing moods — particularly since they often arrived one after another on one album, sometimes within one song — yet the shift between the neon glitz of Midnite Vultures and the lush, somber Sea Change is startling, and not just because it finds him in full-on singer/songwriter mode, abandoning all of the postmodern pranksterism of its predecessor. What’s startling about Sea Change is how it brings everything that’s run beneath the surface of Beck’s music to the forefront, as if he’s unafraid to not just reveal emotions, but to elliptically examine them in this wonderfully melancholy song cycle. If, on most albums prior to this, Beck’s music was a sonic kaleidoscope — each song shifting familiar and forgotten sounds into colorful, unpredictable combinations — this discards genre-hopping in favor of focus, and the concentration pays off gloriously, resulting in not just his best album, but one of the greatest late-night, brokenhearted albums in pop. This, as many reviews and promotional interviews have noted, is indeed a breakup album, but it’s not a bitter listen; it has a wearily beautiful sound, a comforting, consoling sadness. His words are often evocative, but not nearly as evocative as the music itself, which is rooted equally in country-rock (not alt-country), early-’70s singer/songwriterism, and baroque British psychedelia. With producer Nigel Godrich, Beck has created a warm, enveloping sound, with his acoustic guitar supported by grand string arrangements straight out of Paul Buckmaster, eerie harmonies, and gentle keyboards among other subtler touches that give this record a richness that unveils more with each listen. Surely, some may bemoan the absence of the careening, free-form experimentalism of Odelay, but Beck’s gifts as a songwriter, singer, and musician have never been as brilliant as they are here. As Sea Change is playing, it feels as if Beck singing to you alone, revealing painful, intimate secrets that mirror your own. It’s a genuine masterpiece in an era with too damn few of them.

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2 min read

SACD

Beat Kaestli – Invitation (2010) [SACD / Chesky Records – SACD348]

adminJuly 21, 2025 189 Views

Title: Beat Kaestli – Invitation (2010)
Genre: Jazz
Format: MCH SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

Beat Kaestli turns his attention to the Great American Songbook on Invitation, his auspicious debut for Chesky Records. Recorded at St. Peter’s Church in Chelsea, this stirring collection of jazz standards is the perfect showcase for Kaestli’s hauntingly beautiful voice, which falls somewhere in the Chet Baker-Kenny Rankin range. His voice is imbued with clarion articulation, naturally relaxed phrasing and uncanny feeling.

Born in Bern, Switzerland, Beat Kaestli (pronounced “Bay-ott Kest-lee”) sings in hushed tones and romantic visions on this, his second recorded effort. With a voice that has been gauged somewhere between Chet Baker and Kenny Rankin, Kaestli’s immaculate phrasing and low-key demeanor are best suited for late-night listening. While his vocals are the centerpiece, the instrumentalists he uses are nearly an afterthought, shadowing his lyric content, not embellishing, but perfectly accompanying as if they are entirely in the background. This is not a critique, just a fact, as guitarist Paul Meyers, bassist Jay Leonhart, drummer Billy Drummond, and guest horn soloists (Joel Frahm and Kenny Rampton) only lightly frame these standards. Beyond Baker or Rankin, perhaps Mark Murphy’s stoic persona also plays a part in how Kaestli interprets the light but funky title selection, the slow ballad “It Could Happen to You,” or “Day In, Day Out” which does recall both older and modern-day crooners. Kaestli works best with Leonhart, as all jazz singers love hooking up in duet intros or full-blown bluesy tunes with the upright bassist of their choice. Understated to the max, Beat Kaestli and friends make candlelight mood music both genders can get next to.

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2 min read

SACD

Beoga – Live At Stockfisch Studio (2010) [SACD / Stockfisch Records – SFR 357.4053.2]

adminJuly 21, 2025 218 Views

Title: Beoga – Live At Stockfisch Studio (2010)
Genre: Rock, Folk, Jazz
Format: MCH SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

Stockfisch releases another album from their LIVE AT STOCKFISCH STUDIO series – this time an Irish band had visited Northeim: “Beoga”.

Beoga are based in County Antrim, in the north of Ireland. The bedrock of their sound lies firmly within the Irish tradition. However, they are not afraid to incorporate other genres’ nuances into their music. From bluesy riffs to Astor Piazzolla-style jazz, to a raunchy New Orleans jamboree vibe, their music always returns to a wonderfully bouncy traditional sound. The result is traditional, with a huge sense of fun and adventure and it all works – wonderfully well.

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1 min read

SACD

Festivalensemble Stuttgart, Hellmuth Rilling – Benjamin Britten: War Requiem (2008) [SACD / Hänssler Classic – CD 98.507]

adminJuly 16, 2025 241 Views

Title: Festivalensemble Stuttgart, Hellmuth Rilling – Benjamin Britten: War Requiem (2008)
Genre: Classical
Format: MCH SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

Brittens “War Requiem” darf als eines der größten und erschütterndsten Werke des 20. Jahrhunderts bezeichnet werden. Es erzielte bei seiner Uraufführung am 30. Mai 1962 in der Kathedrale von Coventry bei Publikum und Kritik einen unmittelbaren Erfolg. Britten verwendete Texte aus der lateinischen Totenmesse und Gedichte Wilfried Owens, um seinen leidenschaftlich vertretenen Pazifismus zu verkünden, an die Greuel des Krieges zu erinnern und vor dem Untergang Europas zu warnen. Da das Werk einen umfangreichen Apparat an Sängern und Musikern erfordert, wird es selten aufgeführt und auch aufgenommen. Umso wichtiger ist diese Realisierung Helmuth Rillings, der erstklassige Sänger verpflichtet hat und souverän alle Bestandteile des riesigen musikalischen Apparates zu einer erschütternden Aufführung von ungemeiner Bildhaftigkeit vereinigt.

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SACD

BBC Symphony Orchestra, Hallé Orchestra, Sir John Barbirolli – Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 1, 3 & 8 [2 SACDs] (1958-1969/2020) [SACD / ]

adminJuly 16, 2025 275 Views

Title: BBC Symphony Orchestra, Hallé Orchestra, Sir John Barbirolli – Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 1, 3 & 8 [2 SACDs] (1958-1969/2020)
Genre: Classical
Format: SACD ISO

Project for the 50th anniversary of his death. The stereo recordings of Barbirolli’s three Beethoven symphonies and two smaller pieces are collected in a 2-CD set. The world’s first SACD release. Latest reissue from the original analog master tapes. Includes new commentary by Shunsuke Fujino. 2 discs of stereo recordings by Barbirolli of 3 Beethoven symphonies, “Leonore Overture No. 3” and others. Although there are few recordings of Beethoven himself, he was one of the most important composers for Barbirolli, as he conducted the “Symphony No. 7” in the last concert of his life (1970/7/25). His “Hero” with the rare BBC Symphony Orchestra in his later years is a masterpiece that has been heard over and over again. In order to achieve the highest sound quality in its current state, the SACD and CD layers have been mastered separately, using a master digitized at 192kHz/24bit from the original analog master tapes in the original country of origin. New commentary is included. This is a permanent edition. The year 2020 marks the 250th anniversary of Beethoven’s birth, and Barbirolli’s important recording of “Hero” could not be left out. In the UK, due to the label’s policy, there have not been many opportunities for British conductors to record German works, even though they are part of the regular concert repertoire. Barbirolli is no exception, recording only five Beethoven symphonies, including monaural recordings. This time, three of them, No. 1, No. 3, and No. 8, and “Leonore Overture No. 3” recorded in stereo, are collected on two discs (there is also “Emperor” in stereo). The recording of “Hero” with the BBC Symphony Orchestra is rare, so it is very valuable. This recording is one of the most popular among Barbirolli’s many recordings, and although its reissue was delayed in the CD era, it was much talked about when it was reissued. This is a rare and full recording of “Hero” that brings out the original gravity of the piece. In addition, this reissue includes two pieces by Purcell and Bach, recorded in 1969 with the Halle Orchestra, the last year of his life. In particular, Purcell’s “Suite” is from his own version of the original arrangement for string orchestra, which he arranged with woodwinds and horns when he was with the New York Philharmonic, and also recorded on PYE in 1956, also in monaural, with Barbirolli’s arrangement. Barbirolli liked this work.

The sound quality this time was also excellent, and the master tapes were maintained in good condition. In particular, the performances of No. 1 and No. 8 with the Halle Orchestra, which are early stereo recordings, are better than expected, and the nuances of the performances are well conveyed. The effect of the original condition and digitization at 192kHz/24bit is significant, and the sound quality even conveys the atmosphere of the recording site. The latest mastering was done using a flat master that was digitized at 192kHz/24bit, which is higher than ever before, from the original 2-channel analog master tapes in the home country. The sound quality this time is more precise, wider in range, and closer in proximity, allowing you to enjoy the best performance with more realistic sound quality. Although some noise can be heard in some parts, we have again respected the originals and aimed for a musical mastering with a minimal range, including balance. The jacket design is that of “Hero,” and the commentary features new text by Fujino Shunsuke. The SACD layer on the CD layer is designed to provide high resolution and a rich sound field with extended high frequencies and soft nuances, while the CD layer is designed to provide a cohesive, solid sound with a realistic timbre. Please enjoy it as a SACD hybrid disc, where you can enjoy the best of both worlds. For the 31st release of the Definition Series, we will be releasing three titles of Barbirolli’s masterpieces.

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4 min read

SACD

Edward Gardner & BBC Symphony Orchestra – Szymanowski: Orchestral Works, Volume V (2013) [SACD / Chandos – CHSA 5115]

adminJuly 16, 2025 236 Views

Title: Edward Gardner & BBC Symphony Orchestra – Szymanowski: Orchestral Works, Volume V (2013)
Genre: Classical
Format: MCH SACD ISO

This recording of orchestral works by Karol Szymanowski form part of the Polish Music series on Chandos, and is performed by the BBC Symphony Orchestra and Edward Gardner. These performers have impressed in their Lutoslawski survey, which is part of the same series; in a review of volume 1, Gramophone described them as a veritable ‘dream team’.

Symphony No. 2 by Szymanowski is a work of great power and ingenuity, with many passionate and varied contrasts in its use of solo instruments. Composed in 1909 – 10, it is widely considered the greatest orchestral work of the composer’s early period, not to mention one of the most important Polish symphonic compositions to date. Szymanowski himself thought very highly of it, and in August 1911 wrote in a letter to his fellow Polish composer Zdzislaw Jachimecki: ‘How happy I am that this Symphony impressed you as I had wanted. I will frankly admit that I feel somewhat proud about its value. In some miraculous way I have managed during my work on it to resist all those garish phantoms which seduce “young and inexperienced” artists and to produce pure and uncompromising beauty in the way I personally understand it.’ The internationally acclaimed pianist Louis Lortie joins the orchestra and conductor in Symphony No. 4 of 1932, which the composer subtitled ‘Symphonie concertante’ in recognition of the near-soloistic role played by the pianist. Whereas Szymanowski’s early and middle works clearly reflect Wagner, Strauss, and Scriabin, this work is strongly influenced by Prokofiev, particularly in the finale, an agitated and daring movement reminiscent of the Russian composer’s Piano Concerto No. 3, composed about a decade earlier. Written in 1904 – 05 in a style recalling Wagner and Strauss, the Concert Overture is characterised by enormous expressiveness and gusto in the way it handles the expanding themes. Szymanowski inscribed the original score with part of the poem Witez Wlast by his friend Tadeusz Micinski: ‘I will not play you sad songs, O Shades! but will give you a triumph proud and fierce…’. This vivid imagery is perfectly in keeping with the music’s exuberant and vivacious character.

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SACD

Edward Gardner & BBC Symphony Orchestra – Szymanowski: Symphonies Nos 1 and 3 etc. (2014) [SACD / Chandos – CHSA 5143]

adminJuly 16, 2025 186 Views

Title: Edward Gardner & BBC Symphony Orchestra – Szymanowski: Symphonies Nos 1 and 3 etc. (2014)
Genre: Classical
Format: MCH SACD ISO

Edward Gardner returns with the BBC Symphony Orchestra to the intoxicating orchestral music of Karol Szymanowski in their third disc devoted to the composer. Their previous releases have been widely praised, Gardner being described in BBC Music Magazine as ‘one of the finest non-Polish interpreters of Szymanowski.’ Ben Johnson, a tenor whose star is rapidly rising, joins Gardner and the BBC SO here as a soloist in two works.

Szymanowski’s Symphony No. 1 was composed in 1907 while he was still in his twenties. Stylistically it belongs to his early period, heavily influenced by the late-Romantic style of Wagner and Strauss. It was disavowed later in life as Szymanowski rejected his early influences but its brash youthful energy and intense emotion has won many audiences over. The exquisite Love Songs of Hafiz for tenor soloist and orchestra are transitional works. Composed in 1911, they represent a move toward his middle period marked by a fascination with oriental themes, here reflected in the choice to set 14th Century Persian poetry. Szymanowski’s Symphony No. 3 ‘Song of the Night’ is considered the apex of his middle-period output and one of his finest works. Scored for a huge orchestra with choir and tenor soloist, Szymanowski again sets Persian poetry, here celebrating the beauty of the starlight Eastern night. Szymanowski conveys the poem’s vision with sensuous and highly emotional music, scored in extraordinarily subtle orchestral colour.

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