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

[Bonesy Jonesy]

Sigh. More record to buy…

Pre-ordered mine direct from DG today

 

[Kjetil]

For the first time I’m ordering the whole batch.

 

[No Regrets]

apart from a couple of badly placed ticks at the dying phrases of the finale. I may be able to remove them with another go in the Humminguru though. Worth at try.

I was just curious if the Humminguru was able to remove the "ticks"?
Best wishes,
Don

 

[oldvinyl]

Sigh. More record to buy…

Me too.
See my avatar. Nose is getting longer.

 

[tima]

I *finally* had the opportunity to play the Original Source Kubelik/BSO "Concerto for Orchestra" from Bela Bartok. (Yes, I'm not quite a year late.) This is the composer's most accessible composition, imo. It's still Bartok -- somewhat angular and, like other works I've heard of his, it still doesn't go anywhere; it's still feral but not wacky feral. My oh my, a surprise, what a genuine delight is this release.

A Concerto typically presents a featured solo instrument with orchestral accompaniment ... piano concerto, violin concerto, etc. B gives us a concerto for the entire orchestra in five movements. In other words it features individual instruments and sections in a seemingly endless set of combinations. In doing so, the piece zigs and zags in no set pattern across the entire orchestra. The orchestration is rich: 3 each of Clarinets, Oboes (1 a Cor Anglais), Flutes (1 a Piccolo) and Bassoons. Four horns, three each of trumpets and trombones with one tuba. Violins 1 & 2, Cellos, Double Basses and 2(!) Harps. And 6 different percussion instruments from Timpani to Tam-Tam. Each of these groups and instruments gets their part multiple times.

The performance itself is the real highlight. It's the only Bartok that Kubelik conducted and the Boston Symphony of the day (1973) is magnificent. I don't know where this performance stands in the hierarchy of the work, but it has to be at or near the top. I like it better than Reiner w/ the Chicago. I don't know how it compares to the original DG release but this TOS treated one is superb. After returning the first copy I received I'm happy to report this one is flat and perfect.

View attachment 143527
DG 2350 479

Played again last night. This is a great LP !

Here is the short 4th Movement -- easily the most melodic of the five.

With the Lamm M1.2 amps.

 

[tima]

And if you didn't like the 4th Movement of "Concerto for Orchestra", you're really not gonna like the 3rd.
I Bartok You.

 

[oldvinyl]

I was just curious if the Humminguru was able to remove the "ticks"?
Best wishes,
Don

If it did, I guess we could say it was ticked off.

 

[oldvinyl]

View attachment 146985View attachment 146986View attachment 146987

Hello everyone, I know that I am not the first to whom the new Ravel box has fluttered to match the composer's birthday.
But one has to make the beginning.

Been listening to the first disc:

Ravel- Bolero, Rhapsody Espagnol, La Valse

Boston Symphony Orchestra
Ozawa

This record is very well made, practically no background noise and also at the finale of La Valse shortly before the outlet groove no distortion.

I first listen to the records to notice any defects before I compare them against my box from 1975.

Maybe that would be something you could do in the circle of interested people

I have really been enjoying this Ravel box set. Mine took two weeks to arrive. Guess it went sightseeing on the way. Spent several days in Frankfurt airport before it departed for the US.

It’s been a ravelation!

 

[Salectric]

Are you folks ordering directly from DGG or from a US distributor?

 

[tima]

Are you folks ordering directly from DGG or from a US distributor?

I wait until the TOS issuances are available in the US. Usually I'll buy from Amazon. The price is lower and the shipping is free and returns are simple. Music Direct and others such as Acoustic Sounds usually have them as well but without free shipping unless you buy a certain $ quantity.

I have bought from DG or JPC in Germany or a British outfit whose name escapes me at the moment. Euro shipping is expensive and then there is Customs where things can get hung up. Returns are equally expensive. I've placed an order which was accepted then only to be told later 'sorry out of stock'. YMMV

 

[Salectric]

Thank you @tima. Very helpful!

 

[No Regrets]

Are you folks ordering directly from DGG or from a US distributor?

I have ordered successfully from The Elusive Disc, Music Direct and Acoustic Sounds as well as from Amazon.

I feel the packaging for safe shipment is much better from the 1st three mentioned vs from Amazon.
Amazon's packaging has been very hit or miss for me being anywhere from being double boxed to something very flimsy in nature, to being boxed together with other items you may have ordered. So, oftentimes ( not always ) the record corners arrive bent or creased, etc. I have never received a damaged LP from the 1st three vendors.

The plus side, is Amazon's return policy is great and easy.... but, there are times when you have to return an LP you may not be able to get a replacement due to the fact that the TOS are very limited production and therefore are already out of print and you have to then wait and hope for a second repress.

Yes, it's true that you have to have a minimum $ order from the 1st three mentioned distributors to get free shipping but if you are ordering 2-3 or more records it's very easy to exceed that minimum order amount.

So, at the end of the day... I order from all 4 sources and from whomever has the inventory of what I am searching for. But, in my experience Amazon will always be my last resort.

Best wishes,
Don

 

[oldvinyl]

Are you folks ordering directly from DGG or from a US distributor?

While I live in the US, I have been ordering from DGG. Mostly from habit and so I don't forget to do it after the announcement of the current batch. Got into it from habit since the first batch, I didn't know if they could only be acquired from DGG and also thought that they would sell out quickly.

I should switch to Amazon or Acoustic Sounds. Acoustic Sounds has really good packaging, I have yet to have anything harmed by their shipping.
The DGG shipping is pretty bad. If it weren't for the inner box on each record, their would be damage to the record jackets.

 

[tima]

I have ordered successfully from The Elusive Disc, Music Direct and Acoustic Sounds as well as from Amazon.

I feel the packaging for safe shipment is much better from the 1st three mentioned vs from Amazon.
Amazon's packaging has been very hit or miss for me being anywhere from being double boxed to something very flimsy in nature, to being boxed together with other items you may have ordered. So, oftentimes ( not always ) the record corners arrive bent or creased, etc. I have never received a damaged LP from the 1st three vendors.

The plus side, is Amazon's return policy is great and easy.... but, there are times when you have to return an LP you may not be able to get a replacement due to the fact that the TOS are very limited production and therefore are already out of print and you have to then wait and hope for a second repress.

Yes, it's true that you have to have a minimum $ order from the 1st three mentioned distributors to get free shipping but if you are ordering 2-3 or more records it's very easy to exceed that minimum order amount.

Couple points here from my experience ...

The likelihood that a returned LP is out of stock for a re-order is greater with The Elusive Disc, Music Direct and Acoustic Sounds because of the relative volume that they do and the number of records allocated to them by DG. You have them listed in ascending size. The US Amazon allocation is probably larger than the three combined. Plus the shipping time/arrival time from the point of order tends to be variable and longer -- that may depend on where you live. If you want to buy in quantity from them I would encourage buying as soon as they have stock.

I found that if US Amazon is out of stock I can sometimes order from Amazon Japan for similar cost and free shipping.

I have never bought any TOS albums that were damaged by packaging. I have returned 3 albums because of pressing defects.

DGG has terrible customer service.