The new audiophile vinyl series The Original Source from Deutsche Grammophon (AAA)

[Kjetil]

I really like the sound of the Grieg Karajan. I’m a sucker for the sound they got at Jesus Christus Kirche, and in this remaster one really hears the sound HvK wanted from the orchestra. Being Norwegian it’s music I grew up with and I’ve been thinking that I’ve heard it too many times, but this purchase is worth every krone.
Regrettably some ticks on the Chopin Pollini side 1. Apart from that fantastic music making and sound, and an error on the jacket decor that may point to more Chopin Pollini in the future.

In the Feb 2025 batch I’ve decided for the Mahler 6 Karajan which will be my first from eight track master in the series and also the first recording done in Circus Karajani, the Abbado Scriabin/Tchaikovsky, and possibly also the Tchaikovsky 1 because it’s a great recording. I’m just a little bit unsure about the music. The Mozart is not the way I like to hear K. 626 played. Too old fashioned stately.

 

[Bonesy Jonesy]

Finally listened to all of the latest batch. As with the previous, great performances and great pressings. Very happy with the Pollini Chopin and the Mozart.

The next four for next year have been added to the DG store.

Just pre-ordered next new batch (all four LPs) for delivery sometime in Feb 2025.

 

[spiritofmusic]

Fantastic sonics from all of these, not one bum note from any of the Open Source series.
I have a small but hugely significant upgrade to my tonearm that has really helped me appreciate these pressings.

 

[Mike Lavigne]

Just pre-ordered next new batch (all four LPs) for delivery sometime in Feb 2025.

me too. i'm sure i'll be kicking myself later with the shipping drama. silly me. i guess i'm a glutton for punishment.

 

[spiritofmusic]

Next four ordered.
Bring them on.

 

[Bonesy Jonesy]

me too. i'm sure i'll be kicking myself later with the shipping drama. silly me. i guess i'm a glutton for punishment.

My issue buying direct from DG is the UK VAT (20%) the UK Gov slap on the overall cost (including postage cost) when DG have already included EU VAT (21%) on the price when you buy it from them (normal EU practice). This is due to BREXIT ! :-(

 

[Kjetil]

Why not buy from Presto Music?

 

[tima]

Why not buy from Presto Music?

Sometimes Presto will take your money for an order, make you wait several weeks, then inform you they cannot fulfill the order, and then you wait for a refund. Does not happen frequently although that led me to wait for more reliable retail with lower shipping cost.

 

[Kjetil]

I have not experienced that.
I’ve used iMusic in Denmark. They are VOEC compliant (as is Presto) so I pay Norwegian sales tax, not German and Norwegian as I have to do if I buy from the DG shop.

 

[tony22]

Gulp. I ordered all 4 of the upcoming white label Original Source releases.

 

[Mr. Miyagi]

Is the white label better sonically than the other DGs TOS or just denotes limited edition ?

 

[tony22]

Is the white label better sonically than the other DGs TOS or just denotes limited edition ?

I suspect it’s no different sonically (although who knows?). I just fell for the super limited edition trick.

 

[Mr. Miyagi]

I suspect it’s no different sonically (although who knows?). I just fell for the super limited edition trick.

It’s 130g vs 180g - not sure if matters - enjoy

 

[Zeotrope]

Another call out and warning to NOT BUY from DG.com directly.
Their customer service for the eCommerce store is simply abhorrent. They do not reply. Nothing.
You do get replies from DG customer service, but all they say is they have no control over the store, which almost makes it worse.

I placed an order. 5 min later I wanted to cancel, so I emailed them. Nothing, absolutely no reply, and it's been a month since I ordered.

Have spent thousands of euros at DG in the past year alone. I just cannot believe a company can work this way in 2024!

 

[Zeotrope]

It’s 130g vs 180g - not sure if matters - enjoy

No, that is incorrect. The White Label is simply the first 100 copies off the press.
I have a few. Do they sound better? Not sure, as I don't have a >100 copy to compare it against.

 

[Mr. Miyagi]

No, that is incorrect. The White Label is simply the first 100 copies off the press.
I have a few. Do they sound better? Not sure, as I don't have a >100 copy to compare it against.

I bought records from DG; what are the probabilities I receive these records before social security kicks in for me? I am 46 now.

 

[Kjetil]

Ozawa Boston Ravel box coming (yeah that one too) in March:

Ravel + Ozawa + Original Source = An Orgy of Orchestral Fabulousness

Just Announced: Deutsche Grammophon celebrates Ravel’s 150th in the best way possible with this box set of outstanding recordings

trackingangle.com

 

[Zeotrope]

I bought records from DG; what are the probabilities I receive these records before social security kicks in for me? I am 46 now.

Lol! Are you saying they are slow to ship?
Funny thing is that the minute I filed a claim with PayPal, they replied!

 

[Zeotrope]

Ozawa Boston Ravel box coming (yeah that one too) in March:

Ravel + Ozawa + Original Source = An Orgy of Orchestral Fabulousness

Just Announced: Deutsche Grammophon celebrates Ravel’s 150th in the best way possible with this box set of outstanding recordings

trackingangle.com

Nice! Ordering not yet available, correct?

 

[GrumpyPatzer]

Having had the Karajan Bruckner set for just over four months, I’d like to share my impressions. (I have only ever made a few posts here, but this is one release that I feel is worth highlighting.)

In short: I cannot recall being more impressed by a vinyl release.

I was already pretty familiar with these performances. They have been my favourite Bruckner interpretations for over four decades, since I first discovered Bruckner in 1980. I may be swayed by the fact that only time I heard Karajan and the Berlin Philharmonic live was when they performed Bruckner’s 5th in London in 1981 but, for me, Karajan’s ability to maintain momentum and, at the same time, keep the broad sweep that Bruckner needs is unsurpassed. (Of course, there are many, many other fine Bruckner recordings, not least some of the Furtwangler and Jochum albums, but my desert island choice would be Karajan.)

As for these Original Source releases, well, from the moment I started playing the records in August, I could not believe how well they have been remastered. They could not be more clear, without sounding remotely ‘digital’ (for want of a better word) and — perhaps I have been really lucky with the pressings I received? — absolutely quiet. Certainly way superior to the original LP releases that I bought in the 1980s and, perhaps rather more subjectively, more enjoyable to listen to than the high-res downloads (although that is arguably a rather meaningless statement, in the context of my turntable and streamer).

So for anyone who is keen on Bruckner and enjoys Karajan’s style of interpretation, I can recommend the set without reservation.

Andrew