Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli, Philharmonia Orchestra – Ravel, Rachmaninoff, Haydn – Piano Concertos [2 SACDs] (1957-1975/2021) [SACD / Warner Classics – TDSA-215/6]

Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli, Philharmonia Orchestra - Ravel, Rachmaninoff, Haydn - Piano Concertos [2 SACDs] (1957-1975/2021)

Title: Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli, Philharmonia Orchestra – Ravel, Rachmaninoff, Haydn – Piano Concertos [2 SACDs] (1957-1975/2021)
Genre: Classical
Format: SACD ISO

This super-premium album features Michelangeli’s masterful renditions of Ravel and Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 4, alongside two Haydn concertos from 1975, now remastered in SACD for the first time. Aimed at supreme sound quality, the recordings were digitized from original analog master tapes at 192kHz/24bit. Michelangeli’s beloved Ravel Piano Concerto, a pinnacle of his technical and musical peak, is a legendary performance and a treasured gem. His Rachmaninoff, personally selected by the artist, stands as one of the finest interpretations of the piece. The lesser-known Haydn concertos, recorded in 1975, reveal the true essence of the works through Michelangeli’s remarkable skill. These Haydn pieces, previously unreleased on SACD, shine with beautiful piano tone and exceptional recording quality. Mastered separately for SACD and CD layers, the release uses a flat master digitized from the original 2-channel analog tapes. The well-preserved master tapes allowed for a focus on original balance, enhancing instrument depth, positioning, and clarity. This permanent collection piece includes new commentary by Hiro Aiba. Part of the Definition Series (Vol. 42), the SACD layer offers rich soundscapes and high resolution, while the CD layer delivers solid, realistic tones—perfect for enjoying both formats.

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2 min read

Akiko Suwanai, Philharmonia Orchestra, Charles Dutoit – Poeme (2004) [SACD / Philips – 475 6189]

Akiko Suwanai, Philharmonia Orchestra, Charles Dutoit - Poeme (2004)

Title: Akiko Suwanai, Philharmonia Orchestra, Charles Dutoit – Poeme (2004)
Genre: Classical
Format: MCH SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

Award-winning violinist Akiko Suwanai is backed by the City of Philharmonia Orchestra conducted by Charles Dutoit for this recording of compositional works by Saint-Saëns, Lalo, Chausson, Kreisler, Berlioz, and Ravel. This music here is a collection of pieces that fall just short of “major” concertos (more like encore pieces) though Akiko Suwanai does them full justice!!!! Particularly, the Saint-Saens “Introduction et Rondo Capriccioso” and Ravel’s “Tzigane” are top notch. Ms. Suwanai plays with a great deal of warmth, personality, and maturity that allows her Strad to really sing! The recording is top notch, with the violin a bit forward and the orchestra back a ways.

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1 min read