New Direct-to-Disc-Project: Smetana Ma Vlast
- Thread starter redandgold
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It is called exercise Leif. Get old but don't stop moving.
Got 5 dogs and 3 cats too and at least 10.000steps a day, generally close to 15.000...
I really enjoy the sonic benefits of 45rpm and most of my lp collection is 33rpm. I got only a few hundred 45rpm pressings... So all 45rpm pressings are welcome for me especially if they are d2d. It is worth the 3 steps I take
Unboxing part 1:
As vinyl fan, what do you want more...
Nice Box with certificate and informations...
As vinyl fan, what do you want more...
Nice Box with certificate and informations...
As I am not a classic expert, I can say only few words. Today was not in the mood to hear the whole concert, so I picked up only the first LP for a small impression. I was not disappointed.
The overall sound is a bit relaxed and presented as a whole. Sounded a bit like many older recordings. The orchestra plays as a unit. The music is not so separated that you feel to detect the fourth instruments in the seventh row. Therefore you receive a power and drive of the orchestra which is very embracing and at the other side relaxing.
Tonally the recording is more on the relaxed side.
The soundstage of the recording is more on the distant side as you seat in the back rows.
Which I liked most is the musical flow of this recording.
The pressing quality is really O.K.. Despite the vinyl cleaner pump of my Gläss Audiodesk gave up right before I wanted to clean the discs (after only three years, no good quality!), I heard only a few clicks and relativly low noise. I suppose, cleaned, they would vanish too.
it will be interesting to read opinions on this box. Wonder if they will be as different as with the Bruckner 7th.
I like this record a bit more than the Bruckner, not because of music or because it would sound better. Well, it does in some respects but not in all, and this two records have perhaps more in common than differences. Have a feeling that differences are more a consequence of the orchestra and hall than the recording process, which is similar but not identical but more on that later. Nevertheless there is something that gives Smetana Má vlast a bit of advantage. A highlight to which I will return again and again. If you want to be impressed immediately, go directly to the third LP, side E (Tábor). This piece is excellently performed IMHO and sounds outstanding with exciting dynamic gradations and impressive entries of horns and timpani. If there was only this piece on LP, it would be worth buying. Other pieces of this cycle are excellent as well, just not to the degree of Tábor. Well, probably they are but this was my first listen and Tábor simply made a special impression on me.
Even though dynamic contrasts in general are a bit better than on Bruckner, the orchestra is not as beautifully and perfectly balanced. Proportions of the soundstage are similar but Smetana has perhaps even more depth (they used two extra microphones to the main two). The lower end is not as well-developed and balanced with the rest of the spectrum as is with the Bruckner. This doesn’t mean Smetana sounds thin or lacking in body but I wish it would have a bit more power in the lower regions. In general strings on Smetana don’t sound as balanced and refined as with the Bruckner but this comparison is probably not fair. After all Berlin Philharmonie is one of the three or five best concert halls in the world, Berliner Philharmoniker belong in the top three orchestras in the world, and I’m quite convinced Berliner Philharmoniker play on a higher quality instruments, so the orchestra as a whole sounds a bit richer, fuller and more refined.
Two complaints: First, LP’s are not perfectly flat (you might be more lucky), and the first one also has too many ticks and pops for my taste but the presentation is excellent and the box is reasonably priced. If you haven’t decided to order yet, better hurry. Don’t think there are many left...
I like this record a bit more than the Bruckner, not because of music or because it would sound better. Well, it does in some respects but not in all, and this two records have perhaps more in common than differences. Have a feeling that differences are more a consequence of the orchestra and hall than the recording process, which is similar but not identical but more on that later. Nevertheless there is something that gives Smetana Má vlast a bit of advantage. A highlight to which I will return again and again. If you want to be impressed immediately, go directly to the third LP, side E (Tábor). This piece is excellently performed IMHO and sounds outstanding with exciting dynamic gradations and impressive entries of horns and timpani. If there was only this piece on LP, it would be worth buying. Other pieces of this cycle are excellent as well, just not to the degree of Tábor. Well, probably they are but this was my first listen and Tábor simply made a special impression on me.
Even though dynamic contrasts in general are a bit better than on Bruckner, the orchestra is not as beautifully and perfectly balanced. Proportions of the soundstage are similar but Smetana has perhaps even more depth (they used two extra microphones to the main two). The lower end is not as well-developed and balanced with the rest of the spectrum as is with the Bruckner. This doesn’t mean Smetana sounds thin or lacking in body but I wish it would have a bit more power in the lower regions. In general strings on Smetana don’t sound as balanced and refined as with the Bruckner but this comparison is probably not fair. After all Berlin Philharmonie is one of the three or five best concert halls in the world, Berliner Philharmoniker belong in the top three orchestras in the world, and I’m quite convinced Berliner Philharmoniker play on a higher quality instruments, so the orchestra as a whole sounds a bit richer, fuller and more refined.
Two complaints: First, LP’s are not perfectly flat (you might be more lucky), and the first one also has too many ticks and pops for my taste but the presentation is excellent and the box is reasonably priced. If you haven’t decided to order yet, better hurry. Don’t think there are many left...
I have just received it through jpc.de. I am very excited for tonight!
I very much enjoyed listening to it. I have listened yesterday one more time and noticed I liked the interpretation hence I enjoyed it so much. Hrusa definitely is an exciting conductor and is in command of this orchestra. He gets the story behind the music and really lets you in on it.
Recording wise, we get a similar but different presentation than Bruckner 7 d2d. This is more dynamic, the balance is also different. The second one most probably is because of the orchestration and the difference of hall and positioning of the musicians in respect to mics. Thirdly, we have a different perspective too. I am surprised to hear people find that they feel like they are sitting in back rows. This is wide and mid to mid-front perspective sounding at here. Especially the horns immediacy is felt throughout. The strings do not have that rawness, they sound a little more laid back but this again is because of their position in respect to mics. The percussion is impactful and dynamic.
I also like the boxset, the photographs and the written text. A quality release that I enjoyed and I am happy to add it to my collection.
For those who would like to know more about the conductor Jakub Hr?ša.
http://www.jakubhrusa.com/
And interesting review of his interpretation of Má vlast. Performed In London with the same orchestra in the summer 2019.
...“Tábor’s brass and timpani calls were slammed out with uncompromising brutality, the latter’s strokes crashing down from high above head-height. Amid the drama, though, there was a constant sense that the musicians were enjoying the evening as much as anyone in the hall. The strings moved as one on their seats, and woodwinds danced around their folk tunes with gusto. Conducted entirely from memory, this was Smetana with all the drama of Mahler, the theatre of Wagner and the pastoralism of Dvo?ák...”
https://bachtrack.com/review-bbc-prom-2-dvorak-smetana-bamberg-symphony-hrusa-bell-july-2019
http://www.jakubhrusa.com/
And interesting review of his interpretation of Má vlast. Performed In London with the same orchestra in the summer 2019.
...“Tábor’s brass and timpani calls were slammed out with uncompromising brutality, the latter’s strokes crashing down from high above head-height. Amid the drama, though, there was a constant sense that the musicians were enjoying the evening as much as anyone in the hall. The strings moved as one on their seats, and woodwinds danced around their folk tunes with gusto. Conducted entirely from memory, this was Smetana with all the drama of Mahler, the theatre of Wagner and the pastoralism of Dvo?ák...”
https://bachtrack.com/review-bbc-prom-2-dvorak-smetana-bamberg-symphony-hrusa-bell-july-2019
came home to two expected deliveries of ordered records, but in addition this one unexpectedly was there too. listening to side A now; expansive, energetic, unprocessed, unfiltered sound. very quiet and calm in the groove (as 45's tend to be), love the air and flow. superb string tone. this record has presence and immediacy. i want to enjoy it and likely listen again and then will comment further. very happy i bought it.
i sure don't mind the more frequent turning of the sides for the 45. it's a pleasure to get that extra bit of power, completeness, and musical truth.
my feelings are give me one or two of these like this a month to savor.
, but in addition this one unexpectedly was there too. listening to side A now; expansive, energetic, unprocessed, unfiltered sound. very quiet and calm in the groove (as 45's tend to be), love the air and flow. superb string tone. this record has presence and immediacy. i want to enjoy it and likely listen again and then will comment further. very happy i bought it.i sure don't mind the more frequent turning of the sides for the 45. it's a pleasure to get that extra bit of power, completeness, and musical truth.
my feelings are give me one or two of these like this a month to savor.
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My copy arrived today as well. Got home late so quickly cleaned them and put on Die Moldau (Side B) which I am familiar with and like a lot. I'm listening to it as I type this.
To me the strings sound a tiny bit distant in the overall mix maybe it's just the mic placement relative to the section. Tonally still very nice. That said the brass (esp the trumpets), woodwinds, and percussion are AMAZING. The first time the trumpets came in my eyebrows shot up it was such a sonically magnificent moment. The big swells have real heft and majesty to them; in fact the recording sounds the best when the orchestra is really going at it which to me is a real rarity and something worthy of high praise.
OK Moldau just finished. Conductor and orchestra did a real nice job. All the individual sections of the piece like the countryside wedding, the mermaids, and the dramatic rapids were very beautifully rendered. End of the river and I give it two thumbs up.
To me the strings sound a tiny bit distant in the overall mix maybe it's just the mic placement relative to the section. Tonally still very nice. That said the brass (esp the trumpets), woodwinds, and percussion are AMAZING. The first time the trumpets came in my eyebrows shot up it was such a sonically magnificent moment. The big swells have real heft and majesty to them; in fact the recording sounds the best when the orchestra is really going at it which to me is a real rarity and something worthy of high praise.
OK Moldau just finished. Conductor and orchestra did a real nice job. All the individual sections of the piece like the countryside wedding, the mermaids, and the dramatic rapids were very beautifully rendered. End of the river and I give it two thumbs up.
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