| T.R | Title | User | Personal
Name | Date | Lines |
|---|
| 473.1 | First reviews... | COOKIE::ROLLOW | Redneck cooking... Fryit! | Thu Sep 25 1986 13:55 | 103 |
| Erich Kunzel and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
In this note: Telarc CD-80041 (The 1812 CD), Telarc CD-80058
(Music of George Gershwin) and Telarc CD-80079 (Beethoven's
Wellington's Victory and music of Franz Liszt).
Telarc CD-80041 (DDD)
Tchaikovsky
1812 Overture
Capriccio Italien
Cossack Dance from Mazeppa
Performance: 6+,8 Sound: 9+
The split rating on the performance are to distinguish between
the performance quality of the "1812 Overture" and the other
two pieces.
The performance of the "1812" is with one exception not very
interesting and not a reason to buy this CD. The exception on
the other hand is one of the things that made Telarc famous and
it is the Digital Cannons. If you like spectacular sound effects
then you want this CD, because the cannons are impressive and
VERY well recorded.
The other two pieces on this CD are very good. The "Cossack
Dance" was probably the first digial recording of this piece.
The "Capriccio" is perhaps better know by many as te intro
music to the old Mercury Cougar commercials (Pretty girl, car
and large cat on top of large rock in Monument Valley). This
is a very clean recording of this piece. Both are recommended.
The sound is Telarc's usual high quality.
Telarc CD-80058 (DDD)
George Gershwin
Rhapsody in Blue
An American in Paris
Performance: 7 Sound: 8
This is not the best performance of the "Rhapsody in Blue" that is
available on CD, but it is not garbage either. The only things
I don't like about this "Rhapsody" are:
1. The piano can't out-play the orchestra where both
are playing. Not a severe balance, but still...
2. The piano playing is just a little too precise
for the style of music.
The "American in Paris" is the only version for orchestra that
I have CD and is quite good. This was recorded before Kunzel
got heavily into sound effects because there is certainly an
oppurtunity for them.
The "hiss" you hear at the beginning of this CD is the clarinet
player breathing. It is a good or bad engineering that you can
hear the person breathing so well? Knowing Telarc's policy on
recording its hard to say.
Telarc CD-80079 (DDD)
Beethoven
Wellington's Victory
Franz Liszt
Battle of the Huns
Hungarian March to the Assault
Performance: 8 Sound: 9
The digitals cannons in the 1812 CD where Kunzel's first use
of "impressive" sound effects. In this CD he uses muskets and
more cannons. This was the first time that I had ever heard
Wellington's Victory, so I didn't know what to expect. When
I first heard the muskets I thought they were noise, but after
listening a little longer there were just a little too regular,
and in fact match the beat of the music very closely.
The music begins with each army entering from opposites of the
"sound stage". I think its supposed to sound like the armies
getting closer but actually sounds like the snare drums getting
louder at each cadence.
The musket and cannon are a little over done at times and at close
listening the solo cannon (7-8 minutes) have a strange sounding
echo, but on the whole I like it.
This recording of the "Battle of the Huns" was also the first
time I had heard this except for an excerpt from one of Telarc's
samplers. Not having another performance to compare against
I can only say that it sounds good and I liked it.
Once again the the "Hungarian March to the Assault" is something
that I first heard here. The only point I can hold against is
an instrument at around 2:00 minutes that is very quiet, and
sounds like an electric harpsicord. I only heard it listening
closely through headphones.
Alan
|
| 473.2 | Rating scale... | COOKIE::ROLLOW | Redneck cooking... Fryit! | Sun Sep 28 1986 13:24 | 11 |
|
The rating scale that I will use for my reviews is borrowed
from "Digital Audio and Compact Disc Review".
1 - Don't buy this disk
2-3 - Poor; some redeeming value
4-5 - Passable; flaws balanced by strengths
6-7 - Above average; strength over shadow flaws
8-9 - Exceptional; Highly recommended
10 - Superior; qualities of unusual merit
|
| 473.3 | Erich Kunzel on Telarc, continued... | COOKIE::ROLLOW | Redneck cooking... Fryit! | Sun Sep 28 1986 13:27 | 150 |
|
Telarc CD-80094 - Star Tracks (DDD)
Frank Proto
1. Proto
10. Conclusion
John Williams (of the Pops);
. Star Wars: Main Title
3. The Empire Strikes Back: Imperial March
4. Return of the Jedi: Luke & Leia
5. Superman: Theme
6. Raiders of the Lost Ark: March
7. Close Encounters: Main Theme
8. E.T.: The Bicycle Chase
9. E.T.: The Departure
Alexander Courage
6. Star Trek: Main Theme
Performance: 7 Sound: 9
The first minute and 51 seconds of this CD is a synthesizer piece
by Frank Proto which begins very quietly and builds into a slightly
shrill introduction the "Star Wars" main title. The shrillness
in the last few seconds might be some distorsion in the original
recording or in my playback system (Technics SL-XP7 and Sony MDR-
M55 headphones).
The introduction of the Superman main theme is a little slow for
my taste, but after the body of the music starts it settles out
very nicely.
The introduction of this CD is the only part of that I don't like.
The rest of it is very good performances of the works listed. The
end piece (also by Frank Proto) reminds me of the "Vejur Flyover"
music from Star Trek movie soundtrack.
The only reason I give the performance an 8 on this disk, is that
these are not my favorite performances of those that are available.
The sound quality is Telarc's usual, with what sounded like only
one missed edit.
Telarc CD-80098 - Ein Straussfest
Johann Strauss
1. Explosions Polka
2. In the Little Jelly Doughnut Woods Polka
3. Champagne Polka
4. Banditen Galop
5. On the Beautiful Blue Danube Waltz
8. At the Hunt Polka
9. Tales from the Vienna Woods
12. Thunder and Lightning Polka
Johann Strauss Sr.
6. Radetzky March
Josef Strauss;
7. Fire Festival Polka
Eduard Strauss;
10. Clear Track Polka
Josef & Johann Sr.
11. Pizzicato Polka
Performance: 6 Sound: 9
Erich Kunzel likes sound effects and uses lots of them on this
CD. They include pistol shots, popping corks, bells, "cuckoos",
"aerial bombs", gushing champagne and a thunderclap. Except for
the sound effects, there's nothing really exceptional about these
performances.
If you don't mind the sound effects, the best thing about this CD
is the content. It is a good collection of polkas and Strauss
favorites.
"On the Beautiful Blue Danube" is the same performance that appears
on "Time Warp" (Telarc CD-80106).
Telarc CD-80106
Don Dorsey
1. Ascent
Richard Strauss
. Introduction to Also Sprach Zarathustra (altered version)
10. (same - origial version)
Jerry Goldsmith
2. Star Trek: The Movie: Main Theme
7. Alien: Closing Title
Alexander Courage:
3. The Menagerie: Suite
Stu Phillips
4. Battlestar Galactica: Main Theme
John Williams
5. Superman: Love Theme
6. Star Wars: Throne Room & End Title
Johann Strauss
8. On the Beautiful Blue Danube
Aram Khatchaturian
9. Gayne Ballet: Adagio (used in 2001)
Performance: 7,3 Sound: 9
Flame on...
One of my favorite pieces of music to come out of the original
"Star Wars" was the "The Throne Room and End Title". Well,
Kunzel butchered it here and that is why I've split the rating
on this disk. The only redeeming value that is one piece has
is that it contains most of the themes used in the original.
The "Throne Room" room fanfare has lost some of its majesty
by being played too slow and the first cymbal crash is a
couple of measures early. That wouldn't have been so bad
except that he completely changed the music that bridged
the "Throne Room" with the "End Title". Once the body of
the "End Title" starts, it continues as it should to end
except that he used a different ending.
Flame off...
The rest of the music on the disk was well done, with only
a few things to comment on.
The alterations to "Also Sprach Zarathustra" consist of
replacing the opening and closing organ pedal tones with
Don Dorsey's synthesizer. (I prefer the pedal tones.)
The version at the end of the disk has the pedal tone at
the beginning, but not at the end.
When played on my speakers the "Star Trek" main theme is
a little boomy. Part of this is probably my speakers, but
the bass is a little heavy.
The gem of the CD is the suite taken from the Star Trek
pilot, "The Menagerie". It almost makes up for the
"Throne Room and End Title".
|
| 473.4 | Still more Erich Kunzel on Telarc. | COOKIE::ROLLOW | Redneck cookin'... Fryit! | Sun Sep 28 1986 18:58 | 34 |
| Telarc CD-80115 - Orchestra Spectaculars (DDD)
Rimsky-Korsakov: Mlada: Procession of the Nobles
Paul Dukas: Sorcerer's Apprentice
Jaromir Weinberger: Schwanda the Bagpiper: Polka & Fugue
Saint-Saens: Samson & Delilah: Bacchanale
Franz Liszt: Les Preludes
Rimsky-Korsakov: The Snow Maiden: Dance of the Tumblers
Performance: 10 Sound: 9
I can't find any reason not to give the performances on this disk
a 10. Some of my favorite pieces for orchestra are on this disk
and they are all wonderfully played. Kunzel has done very well
this time. It almost makes up for what he did to the "Star Wars"
pieces on "Time Warp".
Telarc CD-80116 - William Tell & Other Favorite Overtures
Franz von Suppe: Light Cavalry
Daniel-Francois Auber: Fra Diavolo
Louis Joseph Herold: Zampa
Emil von Reznicek: Donna Diana
Jacques Offenbach: Orpheus in the Underworld
Giacchino Rossini: William Tell
Performance: 9 Sound: 9
I hate to agree with Wayne Green ( Digital Audio ) on anything,
but this is a very good CD. Like the previous CD no one select-
ion stands out above (or below) the others in quality of perform-
ance. This CD has more background noise (pages turning, instruments
being picked up, etc) then the other, but is still very quiet.
|
| 473.5 | POP! | TOOK::APPELLOF | Carl J. Appellof | Wed Oct 01 1986 15:57 | 5 |
| re "Ein Straussfest":
I vaporized both speaker fuses with one of the sound effects in
this one.
|
| 473.6 | "Ein Straussfest" is a fun disk | HECTOR::RICHARDSON | | Thu Oct 02 1986 13:54 | 4 |
| re .5
I think the Straussfest is great fun. I will admit that I don't
like my music LOUD, so I'm not concerned about what the fun effex
might do to the speakers if played at eardrum-bursting levels.
|
| 473.7 | Star Wars on CD. | COOKIE::ROLLOW | Redneck cookin'... Fryit! | Tue Oct 21 1986 11:28 | 149 |
|
In an my review of "Star Tracks" I said that those performances
were not among my favorites. In this review and probably the
next one, I'll look at (and listen to) the CDs that do have my
preferred performances.
In this review:
The Star Wars Trilogy - Varese Sarabande - VCD 47201
The Empire Strikes Back - Varese Sarabande - VCD 47204
Pops in Space - Philips - 412 884-2
Star Wars - RSO - 800 096-2
(and a short comment on the orignal "Empire Strikes Back" soundtrack).
The reviews begin after the form feed.
The Star Wars Trilogy - Varujan Kojian and the Utah Symphony
Orchestra - (DDD) - Time: 50:27
20th Century Fox Fanfare, Alfred Newman
Star Wars
Main Title, Princess Leia's Theme, Here They Come
The Empire Strikes Back
The Asteroid Field, Yoda's Theme, The Imperial March
Return of the Jedi
Parade of the Ewoks, Luke and Leia, Fight With Tie Fighters,
Jabba the Hut, Darth Vader's Death, The Forest Battle,
Finale
Performance: 8 Sound: 8
If memory serves me correctly...
You settle down in the theater chair, trying not to put your
foot in the spilled Coke that's always on the floor. You wait
through the "Previews of Coming Attractions" and "Throw Trash
in the Wastebins Not On the Floor" film clips, then the picture
on the movie screen goes into Panavision mode (or if you were
lucky 70mm). The first thing you see is the 20th Century Fox
logo and the first thing you hear is the Fox Fanfare. Then after
a couple of beats you hear the "Star Wars" main title and see
the introduction text, followed by the two starships, no credits,
just movie.
This CD opens with that musical sequence and it sounds very,
very good. If you somebody that liked the "Star Wars" music
this is a CD to impress them with.
This music is taken from each of the Star Wars movies and is
put together to form a suite of "The Star Wars Trilogy".
At the time CD was release the selections "Fight with Tie
Fighters" and "Darth Vader's Death" were the only available
recordings outside the movie.
Largely because it is matched with the Fox Fanfare this
is my favorite recording of the "Star War" main title.
The recording of "Luke and Leia" is a little over a minute
longer on this disc than on "Star Tracks". In a side by
side comparison of the two the quality of performance is
about the same, excellent.
* * *
The Empire Strikes Back - Charles Gerhardt and the National
Philharmonic Orchestra - (DDD) - Time:
20th Century Fox Fanfare, Alfred Newman
Main Title - The Imperial Probe, Luke's First Crash,
Han Solo and the Princess, The Asteroid Field, The
Training of a Jedi Knight - "May the Force Be With You",
The Battle in the Snow, The Imperial March, The Magic
Tree, Yoda's Theme, The Rebels Escape Again, Lando's
Palace - The Duel (Through the Window), Finale
Performance: 7 Sound: 7
Of the two "Empire Strikes Back" soundtracks that I have heard
this the better one (see note at end). Unfortunatly it is
not as well played or recorded as "The Star Wars Trilogy".
This disc is like the "Trilogy", in that it begins with the Fox
Fanfare and then starts the main title. "The Asteroid Field"
on this disc a little more exciting (probably faster) then the
"Trilogy" but not as well played. "The Imperial March" is like
the one on the Polygram version, very stark at the beginning then
filling out at the end.
One other note; the only place the selections are listed is on
the disc label surface. This is inconvient, but not seriously
so (at least to me).
* * *
Pops in Space - John Williams and the Boston Pops - (DDD) - Time:
Superman - March, Love Theme
The Empire Strikes Back - The Asteroid Field, Yoda's Theme
The Imperial March
Star Wars - Main Theme, Princess Leia
Close Encounters of the Third Kind Suite
Performance: 9 Sound: 8
John Williams wrote and conducted all the music on this CD and
the performances here are among the best that I've heard.
This "Superman" March is the one that I prefer over the one on
"Star Tracks". The "Asteroid Field" on this disc is right up
there with the other two. It is very well played, but doesn't
give the roller coaster effect as strongly as the "Empire Strikes
Back" version. The "Star Wars" title on this disc is the one
that has the ending used in "Return of the Jedi".
Listen for "When you wish upon a star" in the "Close Enounters..."
Suite.
* * *
The Empire Strikes Back: Orignal Soundtrack.
Performance: n/a Sound: 1
(Flame on)
1. The "original" Empire soundtrack was two records. The
CD version one 40-50 minutes disc. Something got left out.
2. I tried to listen to it, really, I did; But it sounded like
they had taken a copy of the record, put it on a turntable and
transferred that to digital tape for the CD mastering process.
(Flame off)
If you think you Must have this disk, see if you can listen to
it before you buy it. I may have gotten a bad copy and since
I already had the Varese Sarabande version didn't see any need
to get another. The store let me exchange it for something else.
|
| 473.8 | KEEP THEM COMING | RDGE28::EARLY | JOAN - THE EARLY BIRD | Fri Oct 31 1986 08:12 | 12 |
| Your idea is absolutely brilliant, I hope you keep
it up. I am finding it fascinating although I tend
to lean towards the classical field myself.
Keep them coming, this is the way to get a "real"
idea of what the CD's sound like not just advertising
hype.
Thanks
|
| 473.9 | Sorry for taking so long... | COOKIE::ROLLOW | Redneck cookin'... Fryit! | Thu Nov 13 1986 11:25 | 141 |
|
In this review, I'm going to finish the soundtrack cycle I
started with: "'Star Tracks' selections are fine, but there
others I like better...".
Being reviewed:
Star Trek: Newly Recorded music from selected episodes...
Star Wars: Original Soundtrack
Out of this World: John Williams and The Boston Pops
Raiders of the Lost Ark: Original Soundtrack
* * *
Star Trek(tm) - Newly recorded music from selected episode
of the Paramount TV series, Fred Steiner conducting the
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Varese Sarabande, DDD.
Main Title and Closing Title - Alexander Courage
The Corbomite Maneuver - Fred Steiner
Charlie X - Fred Steiner
The Doomsday Machine - Sol Kaplan
Mudd's Women - Fred Steiner
Sound: 10 Performance: 10
In a way I wish I could be more objective about this CD, but
I like it too much. The sound of the disc deserves such a
rating because the engineers were able to pick up every sound
the orchestra made, and orchestra did a Very good job not
making any extraneous sounds. Too many good performances have
been "ruined" because you could hear every little noise that was
being made. You won't hear many noises here. The highlights:
The "Main Title" on this CD is the best I have heard. Most of
the others are good, but to me this one is definitive. I like
"The Doomsday Machine" more than some of the other selections,
but that comes from it being a favorite episode.
"Mudd's Farewell", reminds me a little of Richard Strauss'
"Till Eulenspiegel's Merry Pranks". It may just be a close
matching of the two characters.
Disclaimer before Advertisement: I am in no way associated
with Varese Sarabande, except as a frequent customer.
Advertisement: A short section of the conducter's note in
"liner" notes says: "This album, the first in Varese-Sarabande's
projected series of authoritative new recordings of music
from various episodes of the original 'Star Trek' series...".
The likelyhood of the series being continued is increased if
enough people buy the first in the series. If you can't find
it where other Varese Sarabande discs are sold, let the store
know. Hopefully the information will filter back up to
Varese Sarabande and it will go from a "projected" series
to a real series.
* * *
Star Wars: Original Soundtrack, John Williams and the London
Symphony Orchestra, RSO 800.096-2, 2-CD set, AAD.
Sound: 6 Performance: 8
Aside from the noticeable tape hiss, you can hear what sounds
like bad edits if you listen close enough. It may be my CD
player skipping, but it doesn't really sound like it. Those
are the only real problems I've found with this CD. It is
a significant improvement over the vinal issue.
The performance is very good with moments of greatness. This
probably the only CD with the "Cantina Band". It is also the
only CD that has the "correct" version of the "Throne Room and
End Title".
* * *
Out of this World, John Williams and the Boston Pops, Philips
411.185-2, DDD(?).
2001: A Space Odyssey, Introduction we all know and love...
E.T. "Adventures on Earth", Williams
Alien: Closing Title, Jerry Goldsmith
Star Trek: Main Theme, Alexander Courage
Battlestar Galactica: Main Title, Stu Philps & Glen Larson
Star Trek - The Motion Picture: Main Title, Jerry Goldsmith
Twilight Zone: Theme and Variations, Marius Constant
Return of the Jedi, Williams
Parade of the Ewoks, Luke & Leia, Jabba the Hut
The Forest Battle.
Sound: 6 Performance: 8
There are too many extra little noises on this CD to rate a
higher sound quality. The "Star Trek" disc did a very good
job of cutting the noise, so I know it can be done.
The performances are all very good. My favorites are "Battle-
star Ponderosa" :-), "Star Trek - The Motion Picture" and "Jabba
the Hut". I still prefer "Star Trek: Main Theme" from the
Varese Sarabande disc, and since Varese Sarabande also has a
Twilight Zone disc, that track is still up for grabs.
* * *
Raiders of the Lost Ark: Original Soundtrack, John Williams
and the LSO, Polydor 821.583-2, AAD.
Sound: 6 Performance: 6 Music: 8
Bad news first:
This is not a great CD. This is not a bad CD. This is not
a CD that should be critically reviewed, because its perform-
ance and sound quality don't hold up to close examination.
This is an analog recording that shows that analog recordings
can be quiet, but also shows that there are limitations in the
medium. There are sounds in the background that don't come
across well enough to tell if they noise (not hiss) or music.
Then the good news:
This is good movie music. It is fun in the right places and
mysterious in the right places. In the movie it helped set
the mood for a particular scene and in the soundtrack it helps
recall that mood.
If you liked the movie (or just the music) and want the soundtrack,
or liked the soundtrack so well that you've worn out your vinal
copy, then invest in the CD.
* * *
Next time: Some new Telarc
Holst: The Planets
Erick Kunzel: The Stowkowski Sound
Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 2, Rimsky-Korsakov: Symphony
No. 2
|
| 473.10 | Gee, has it been That long since the last one? | COOKIE::ROLLOW | It's kind of fun to be extinct. | Mon Dec 22 1986 00:04 | 321 |
|
Being reviewed:
Holst: The Planets
Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 2, Rimsky-Korsakov: Symphony No. 2
Tchaikovsky: Nutcracker (Complete Ballet Score), Original
Motion Picture Soundtrack and two other recordings of the
suite.
Erick Kunzel: The Stowkowski Sound
* * *
Telarc CD-80131, Lorin Maazel & the Pittsburgh Symphony
Orchestra, DDD.
Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 2, "Little Russian"
Rimsky-Korsakov: Symphony No. 2, "Antar"
Sound: 9 Performance: 9
Chandos CHAN 8304, Geoffrey Simon & The London Symphony
Orchestra, DDD.
Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 2, "Little Russian"
1872 version.
Sound: 9 Performance: 9
When comparing the sound quality of any recordings it is
sometimes difficult to be objective. That is especially
true for these two CDs. If the Chandos disc is clear and
almost sparkling, then the Telarc is slightly muffled.
On the other hand, where the Telarc is warm and fuzzy (feeling
not sounding) the Chandos is bright and ever so slightly harsh.
Neither disc has any hiss, and only a little extra background
noise (pages turning, etc). When listening to the disc through
headphones the sound of Chandos is concentrated more to the
center than the Telarc. When I listened to the disc through
my speakers the imageing on both discs was very good. The
Telarc seems to catch the reverberation of the hall.
Both discs sound Very good, but I prefer the clarity of the
Chandos over the warm and fuzzy of the Telarc.
The Schwann November '86 CD catalog lists one recording of
Tchaikovsky's 1st symphony, two of the 2nd (three counting
the Telarc), five of the 4th, nine each of the 5th and 6th.
While not well represented in numbers the 2nd symphony is
well represented in quality of performance (almost).
The music on these two discs is not quite the same. The
Chandos release is taken from the original 1872 version
(reconstructed from the surviving orchestral parts). The
Telarc version is the revised 1881 score.
The differences are most pronounced in the lengths of the
first, third and fourth movements (the 1st and 4th longer
and the third shorter). The difference that I noticed
in listening to the two was in the third movement where
the strings are directed to strike the finger boards of
their instruments with the backs of their bows. In the
correspond section of the 1881 version the strings are
plucked.
Because of the differences in the scores, it isn't fair to
compare the two in terms of performance. Without having
the scores in front me to judge if each note is correctly
played, it is difficult to say if one is a better perform-
ance of the material than the other. Both are well played
and do justice to the music.
If you're out shopping for a Tckaikovsky, you'll probably
lean towards buying the Telarc because it includes a
companion piece. The recording of the Rimsky-Korsakov's
Symphony No. 2 is probably the first on CD. The Telarc
isn't listed in the November Schwann and it doesn't list
any other recordings of this piece.
Though it is labeled as a Symphony, this piece is closer in
form to a symphonic suite. The text from the liner notes
describes the story.
"Antar depicts the poet, fled in disgust from the evil
ways of men into the ruins of Palmyra in the desert of
Sham. A graceful gazelle appears, pursued by a gigantic
bird of prey. Antar drives off the bird, and the gazelle
disappears. Alone, Antar sleeps. He dreams that he is in
the luxurious palace of the fairy Gul-Nazar, Queen of Palmyra,
who is in the form of the gazelle he saved. Grateful, she
promises him the fullest delight of life: vengeanece, power
and joy of love."
The first movement tells the basic story of the rescue, with
the remaining telling of the dreams of Vengeance, Power and
Love.
The "Power" movement for example begins magestically, followed
by a theme which suggests to me a life of luxury (or maybe the
theme of the Queen). The rest of movement mixes the two themes
with the original Antar theme to complete the dream.
The music of the three movements creates the mood of the
associated dream perfectly.
I highly recommend both discs. The Telarc is the better value
because of it's length (67 minutes). Musically I find the
1872 version of Tchakovsky's 2nd symphony more interesting.
* * *
Telarc CD-80133, Andre Previn & the Royal Philharmonic
Orchestra, DDD.
Holst - The Planets
Sound: 8 Performance: 9
Chandos CHAN 8302, Sir Alexander Gibson & The Scottish National
Orchestra, DDD.
Holst - The Planets
Sound: 7 Performance: 8+
When I first started buying CDs there three version of
the Planets available. One was a fairly recent recording
by von Karajan, one on CBS and the Chandos that I review
here. I already had the von Karajan on vinal and hadn't
been impressed by it. My few experiences with CBS made
me leary of that one. The only choice left was the Chandos
which was a complete unknown (label and group) against the
known and probable evils of the other two. It was not a
wasted purchase.
Two and a half years have gone by and Telarc finally releases
a recording of "The Planets". The only real question is
the quality of the performance. Does it sound better than
my standard for the piece.
In direct comparison to each other the Telarc sounds better
because of the presence of more bass. The lack of (comparitive)
bass on the Chandos could be an engineering problem or
something in the original performance. It is not a significant
difference, but does effect my percieved quality of the
performance. The Telarc is also a little quieter. The hiss
at the beginning of "Neptune, the Mystic" is noticeable
on the Chandos. Part of this comes from the music being
recorded louder (but not played louder). The rest of it
is the base hiss of my player.
An advantage of the Chandos is the clarity of the harp in
"Neptune, the Mystic". I could hear every note clearly.
The harp in the Telarc doesn't sound as clear.
The quality of performance of both discs is Very good. If I
could be sure that the lack of bass on the Chandos was an
engineering mistake both discs would have gotten a 9 for the
performance. If I had to choose between the two, I'd go with
the Telarc because I prefer the sound.
* * *
Telarc CD-80137, Tckaikovsky, The Nutcracker - The Complete
Ballet Score from the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack,
Sir Charles Mackerras & the London Philharmonic Orchestra,
DDD, two discs.
Sound: 9 Performance: 9
Telarc CD-80068, Tchaikovsky, The Nutcraker Suite and Romeo
and Juliet - Fantasy-Overture, Lorin Maazel & The Cleveland
Symphony Orchestra, DDD.
Sound: 9 Performance: 9
ProArte CDD-121, Tckaikovsky, The Nutcracker Suite and The
Swan Lake Suite, Leonard Slatkin & the Minnesota Orchestra,
DDD.
Sound: 9 Performance: 9+
The sound quality on these discs is almost as good as I can
ask for. The only thing missing is the "Wow!, that sounded
good". The "Wow!" is reserved for recordings that catch my
my attention without having to resort to tricks to do it.
(Examples of "Wow!" include the "Rex tremendae" on the Telarc
Berlioz Requiem and "Lay Your Hands on Me" on Peter Gabriel's
"Security".)
I've spent the last week listening to "The Nutcracker", trying
to decide which one was best. The only conclusion that I've
come up with is that they are all the best. The two Suites
are peers. The playing times of the individual pieces are
a little different, but I'm not going to dissect them down
to the point that I can decide if a 3:24 "Arab Dance" is
better than 2:55 "Arab Dance". The choice between the Telarc
Suite and ProArte can safely be based on the other music that
is on the disc.
Since I haven't listened to any other complete "Nutcrackers"
I can't safely say that the Telarc is the best. I won't try
to compare it to the Suites because it very different from
the them. I will say that if you want a complete "Nutcracker",
the Telarc is a good place to start.
In note #574.4 Dick Danek said that complete "Nutcracker" isn't
as loud as the Suite (compared to the other Telarc I suppose).
After listening to both I have to agree. I think the reason,
is that the complete "Nutcracker" is also a Soundtrack. It's
purpose was to accompany the dancing in the movie, where is
Suite is performed for just the music.
An extra feature of the soundtrack is Track 15 of Disc 2. The
music is not from "The Nutcracker", but is the "Duet of Daphnis
& Chloe" from "The Queen of Spades". The first time I heard
it, I found it detracting because I didn't expect it and it obviously
wasn't a part of the Ballet score. Since then I have discovered
that there is enough of a gap between it's beginning and the end
of ballet, if you know it's going to be there. Please expect it
and enjoy.
I first bought the ProArte as a Christmas present for my sister
and as soon I listened to it had to have one for myself. The
music that caught my attention in this case was the "Swan Lake
Suite". The "Neopolitian Dance" and "Wedding Dance" were pieces
that I hadn't heard before. They are the reason for the 9+ on
this disc.
The "Romeo and Juliet" on the Telarc is one of the reasons that
Telarc has such a good reputation. The warmth of the sound,
the lack of noise and dynamic range of the music show what can
be done with CDs when they are done well.
I highly recommend the Soundtrack if you want a complete "Nut-
cracker". The choice of a "Nutcracker Suite" will depend on
the additional music you get with it. Because of the "extra"
pieces that come with the "Swan Lake Suite" on the ProArte it
is my "preferred" choice.
* * *
Other Nutcrackers: There are version of the "Nutcracker Suite"
that I have on CD that aren't mentioned here.
Fantasia - Digitally re-recorded - This disc will appear in
a future note. I sometimes wish that the original Stokowski
soundtrack were in good enough condition to release on CD,
but there are more important miracles to be asked for.
Tckaikovsky Ballet Suites - DGG 419.175-2 - This is an ADD
disc originally recorded in 1967. I've only listened to it
once but my impression was "Why bother?".
* * *
The Stokowski Sound - transcriptions for orchestra by Leopold
Stokowski, Erich Kunzel & the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, Telarc
CD-80129, DDD
Sound: 10 Performance: 8-10
Earlier I said that "Wow!" were reserved for discs that I
was impressed by. After listening to this disc I realize
there is another way to rate a 10. It is the hardest to
achieve and the hardest to notice, because you aren't allowed
to be impressed by the sound of the disc. In fact you don't
even hear the DISC. The only thing you hear is the music.
The music on this disc varies between the very good (8) and
the special (10). The pieces in order are:
Toccata & Fugue in D Minor, Bach - This is the transcription
made famous by Fantasia. I think it goes best with the visual
component, but is still very good.
Menuet, Boccherini - If this is a transcription, then I don't
don't know what's different about it. Very Good.
Little Fugue in G minor, Bach - This is among my favorite
transcriptions of Stowkowski. It is also one of the pieces
on this disc that I feel comfortable giving a 10 to.
Clair de lune, Debussy - Like the Boccherini, there was nothing
about this piece to make me believe that it was a transcription
instead of the composer's original... Until I learned that the
original is a piano solo. Very, very nice.
Adagio Sostenuto from Beethoven's "Moonlight" Sonata - The mood
of the original piano solo is retained by the transcription. This
is a very interesting piece and I like it.
Fete-Dieu a Seville, Albeniz - The only other recording I have
of this is on a record of Stowkowski transcriptions, Stowkowski
conducting. I'd like to hear the original sometime. This piece
is also one of the best on the disc. Easily a 10.
The Sunken Cathedral, Debussy - This is very good, but I like
the original better. Nearly a 10.
Prelude in C# Minor, Rachmaninoff - I've listened to this enough
that I should recognize it easily. Once upon a time, I could
even play the first few bars. When I first heard it on this
disc I knew it was familiar, but couldn't place it. It reminds
me of a cross between "Isle of the Dead" and "A Night on Bald
Mountain. It's different from the original, but still very
good.
A Night on Bald Mountain, Moussorgsky - This orchestration is
very different from the one we're used to. At first I thought
it was the "Fantasia" version, but when I listened to It, there
were still some differences. This is not a transcription that
is easy to get used to, but it is enough like the Fantasia version
that I can almost see the spirits rising from the grave the
candle lit procession coming over the bridge. A very powerful
piece.
* * *
Alan
|
| 473.11 | "My god, he likes everything." | COOKIE::ROLLOW | It's kind of fun to be extinct. | Mon Jan 26 1987 23:46 | 155 |
|
Beginning in this review I'm going to start using the "Unified
Reviewer Scale" instead of the Digital Audio scale. Those that
read the COMICS conference and rec.arts.comics should recognize
it. As with the previous scale it is used without permission.
*************************************************
|[A] Wow! |
|[B] ? - send suggestions to nabeth::alan. |
|[C] Now, *that's* entertainment! (*) |
|[D] ? - send suggestions to nabeth::alan. |
|[F] An expensive Frisbee. |
|[Z] No redeeming social value. |
*************************************************
* Quoted directly from COMICS notes #165.0.
* * *
Yes: The Yes Album. Produced by Yes & Eddie Offord,
Autumn 1970, Atlantic SD 19131-2 (Europe: 270 105),
AAD.
Sound: C- Music: B
This recording shows it's age but still sounds very
good. The hiss that is present is only noticeable
during the quiet sections, and even then it's not too
bad. The bass manages not to be muddy, but there are
places where there is so much going on that the sound
gets a little messy. A lot of the problems are probably
a result of the "limitation of the source media". To
the recording's credit, I doubt you'll find a copy of
the record that sounds this good.
One of the selections (The Clap) was recorded live and
the background noises are a little distracting, but the
playing is very good.
Overall, the music is very good. The music belongs to
the period and style of Progressive Rock. Since I wasn't
paying much attention to music at the time I can't give
a good description of the style. For my impression of the
style, I'll borrow a phrase from Anne McCaffrey's "Dragon-
singer"; "Music for musicians." In this case "rock" music.
A note on the production: Yes and Eddie, played a lot of
tricks with the balance and stereo imaging on this recording
with which make listening through headphones an "interesting"
experience. Listening through speakers isn't a problem, but
headphones though...
A note on packaging: The liner notes are nearly useless.
* * *
Yes: Fragile. Produced by Yes & Eddie Offord, Sept,
1971, Atlantic SD 19132-2 (Europe: 050 009), AAD.
Sound: D - B Music: B
On the whole the sound quality of this CD is ok. There
are places where it's very good (the intro to "Roundabout"),
but there are also places there where the distortion is
really pretty bad (the piano on "South Side of the Sky").
From previous experience with the record, these are faults
of the original recording, but they still sound bad.
The music is still classic Yes. Because of the problems
with the sound quality, it wouldn't recommend it as a
first disc for someone that didn't know Yes, but that's
about the only reservation I have. Yes does some musically
interesting thing on this disc. Of the instrumental pieces
the ones like the most are Wakeman's "Cans and Brahms" and
Steve Howe's "Mood for a Day". "Mood for a Day" is recorded
better.
Misc: The liner notes are much better (it has the words
to the songs...) and the keyboard player is Rick Wakeman,
replacing Tony Kaye.
* * *
Yes: Close to the Edge. Produced by Yes & Eddie Offord,
1972, Atlantic SD 19133-2, AAD.
Sound: B+ - A Music: B+
The sound quality of this disc is generally very good and
at times approaches amazing. It was really very well done.
There is a little distortion in the organ line of "I Get
Up I Get Down" and a little hiss in "And You and I".
Musically, I think this is the best of the old Yes that's
available on CD. This is the disc that I would recommend
to someone that wanted to see what Yes sounded like.
* * *
Yes: Classic Yes. Compiled by Chris Squire, 1981,
Atlantic SD 19320-2, AAD.
Sound: C Music: C
A "Best of" album by any other name is still a best of
"Best of" album and I tend not to like "Best of" albums.
The advantage that this "Best of" album has is that it
really is a good collection of Yes music.
It contains:
Heart of the Sunrise, Fragile.
Wonderous Stories, Going for the One.
Yours is No Disgrace, The Yes Album.
Starship Trooper, The Yes Album.
Long Distance Runaround, Fragile.
The Fish (Schindleria Praematurus), Fragile.
And You and I, Close to the Edge.
Roundabout, recorded live at Oakland Coliseum, 1978.
I've Seen all Good People, recorded live at Wembley
Empire Pool, 1978.
a. Your Move
b. All Good People
In at least one release of the record, the last two where
included on a bonus 45. One of these last two includes
an introduction of the members of Yes.
* * *
Yes: 90125. Produced by Trevor Horn, 1983, ATCO 7 90125-2,
AAD.
Sound: A- Music: B
The liner notes says that is was originally recorded on
analog equipment. I'll have to take their word for it.
This is very easily one of the best sounding analog disc
I've heard.
Musically this isn't Yes of the 70's, but then this isn't
the 70's either. It is certainly not the usual early 80's
rock music. I think the music is the logical extension of
Progressive Rock into the 80's. Yes is still doing inter-
esting things with rock music and what they do sounds good.
I'd like more please...
Notes: Tony Kaye is back on keyboards and the liner notes are
very good.
* * *
Next: Emerson, Lake and {Palmer,Powell}.
|
| 473.12 | Hmmm... | AKOV68::BOYAJIAN | A disgrace to the forces of evil | Wed Jan 28 1987 04:10 | 3 |
| This rating scale *does* seem familiar somehow...
--- jerry
|
| 473.13 | Giving credit where credit is due. | COOKIE::ROLLOW | It's kind of fun to be extinct. | Thu Jan 29 1987 23:23 | 20 |
|
The Unified Reviewer's Scale.
*************************************************
|[A] Wow! |
|[B] ? - send suggestions to nabeth::alan. |
|[C] Now, *that's* entertainment! (*) |
|[D] ? - send suggestions to nabeth::alan. |
|[F] An expensive Frisbee. |
|[Z] No redeeming social value. |
*************************************************
* Quoted directly from COMICS notes #165.0. This rating
scale was inspired by a similar one used by:
Moriarty, aka Jeff Meyer
and:
--- jayembee (Jerry Boyajian, DEC, Acton-Nagog, MA)
|
| 473.14 | But if you lose control, they take away your T-shirt. | COOKIE::ROLLOW | It's kind of fun to be extinct. | Thu Feb 05 1987 00:13 | 182 |
|
*************************************************
|[A] Wow! |
|[B] ? - send suggestions to nabeth::alan. |
|[C] Now, *that's* entertainment! (*) |
|[D] ? - send suggestions to nabeth::alan. |
|[F] An expensive Frisbee. |
|[Z] No redeeming social value. |
*************************************************
* * *
Emerson, Lake & Palmer: Brain Salad Surgery. Produced
by Greg Lake, 1973, Atlantic 19124-2, AAD.
Sound: C- Music: B+
The sound quality of this disc is generally pretty good,
but there are a couple of places where the distortion
is a little unnerving. Whatever problems there are, are
in the original source because the transfer to CD seems
to pretty good.
The music is some of my favorite ELP. "Jerusalem" is an
arrangement of a song by Parry to words by Blake.
(in part)
Bring me my bow of burning gold!
Bring me my arrows of desire!
Bring me my spear: O clouds unfold!
Bring me my Chariot of Fire!
I will not cease from mental fight;
Nor shall my sword sleep in my hand
Till we have built Jerusalem
In England's green and pleasant land.
Toccata is an adaptation of Alberto Ginastera's 1st Piano
Concerto, 4th Movement. "Still... You Turn Me On" is a
Greg Lake love song and "Benny the Bouncer" is fun.
"Welcome back my friends to the show that never ends..."
Karn Eval 9 is the star of the disc though. The music of the
1st impression is some of ELP's best (well most fun at least...)
and the description of the carnival has to listened closely to
catch everything that is said. The 2nd impression is all instru-
mental, mostly Emerson on assorted keyboards. The 3rd impression
is a fitting end to "Brain Salad Surgery".
* * *
Emerson, Lake & Palmer: Pictures at an Exhibition, Produced
by Greg Lake, 1972, Cotillion 19122-2, AAD.
Sound: B Music: B
This was recorded live at Newcastle City Hall on March 26,
1971 (the copyright was 1972). The sound quality is very
good, given the age of the recording. There's a little
hiss, but it doesn't get in the way. The audience is pretty
quiet, most of the time.
The clarity of the recording is most noticable on Emerson's
organ solo (the first Promenade) and Lake guitar solo on
what I think is the 2nd Promenade (without index points its
hard to tell).
Purists may notice that is not the normal arrangement of
Mussorgsky's work for piano. This version of "Pictures at
an Exhibition" was arranged by Keith Emerson for keyboards
(Emerson), guitar and vocals (Lake) and percussion (Palmer).
The melody's of the individual pieces are fairly faithful to
the original (allowing for the instrumentation). The embellish-
ment on the those themes is ELP at it's best.
The encore is "Nutrocker" which is based on a melody from
Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker".
Other notes: The disc has two tracks, corresponding to the
two sides of the original album. (I'll have to check on my
other player to see if there are any index points. The liner
notes are very sparse.
* * *
Emerson, Lake & Palmer: The Best of Emerson Lake & Palmer,
All tracks produced by Greg Lake, Atlantic 19283-2 (Europe:
250 757), AAD.
Sound: D - C Music: C
The first time I listened to this CD I wondered who had put
a blanket over the speakers. Finding that they weren't
covered up, I began to think that it might not have been a
good idea to buy this disk. Listening to the disc through
headphones I realize that some of the tracks aren't *that*
bad. Unfortunately some of them still don't sound good
(#8 for example). The hiss isn't too bad, but the distortion
and muffled sound on some of the tracks make up for it.
I bought this disc over two and a half years ago. I still
remember trying to decide if I should wait and see if the
rest of the ELP catalog could come out on CD, or spend my
money on a "Best of" album. If even if "Best of" usually
means "Most Popular", it was ELP after all and couldn't be
*that* bad.
Even though I try to avoid "Best of" collections this one
isn't that bad. It has a couple tracks that I don't have
the original records of and at least I don't have to worry
about pops and ticks showing up everytime I play it. The
selection of music is pretty good:
Hoedown
Lucky Man
Karn Evil (1st Impression, Part 2)
Jerusalem
Peter Gunn
Fanfare for the Common Man
Still... You turn me on
Tiger in the a Spotlight
Trilogy
My recommendations:
1. Try to listen to a copy before you buy it.
2. Find a sale or used copy so you don't have to pay
full price.
3. Maybe they'll release the rest of the albums someday.
4. If you're CXO[1-3] borrow mine to see if you like it.
* * *
Emerson, Lake & Powell: Emerson, Lake & Powell, Produced by
Tony Taverner & Greg Lake, Polydor 829.297-2, AAD.
Sound: B+ Music: C+
The sound quality of this disc is what you would expect of
a modern analog recording. There's nothing in it to detract
from the music, but there's nothing that makes it "special";
nothing to make it a "Wow!". It's clear enough, that you
can hear lots of little things that you might miss (especially
in "Mars, The Bringer of War".
The music is classic ELP in style, but it's not Great ELP. The
fact that the P is now Powell instead of Palmer, doesn't seem
as much a difference as the since Emerson and Lake worked
together.
"The Score" is very reminisent of the old ELP and words:
It's been so long, your welcome
back my friends
To the show that never ends
Lets us know that we are being welcomed back to the show
that will hopefully never end. In listening to the words
and phrasing, I get the feeling that this song was design-
ed for a concert.
"Mars, Bringer of War" is a another great Emerson arrangement,
and good evidence that right now he's the best there is at
doing this sort work*. The opening phrases sound enough
like an orchestra to make you wonder whether or not they
really were when he changes the way it sounds.
The album as a whole seems to be a view of the state of the
world at the moment (drugs, the homeless, the fantasy world
presented by T.V., SDI, war). The state of the world isn't
good, but it's not hopeless, because we each have the chance
to make it better.
* At the moment he might be the only person doing rock arrange-
ments of classical pieces. Rick Wakeman also did this very
well, but he hasn't done anything major lately.
|
| 473.15 | The Good, the OK and the Pops Concert. | COOKIE::ROLLOW | It's kind of fun to be extinct. | Thu Feb 19 1987 21:12 | 181 |
|
The Unified Reviewer's Scale.
*************************************************
|[A] Wow! |
|[B] ? - send suggestions to nabeth::alan. |
|[C] Now, *that's* entertainment! (*) |
|[D] ? - send suggestions to nabeth::alan. |
|[F] An expensive Frisbee. |
|[Z] No redeeming social value. |
*************************************************
* Quoted directly from COMICS notes #165.0. This rating
scale was inspired by a similar one used by:
Moriarty, aka Jeff Meyer
and:
--- jayembee (Jerry Boyajian, DEC, Acton-Nagog, MA)
* * *
Mozart, Sir Charles Mackerras and the Prague Chamber Orchestra,
Telarc CD-80139, Time: 71:10, DDD.
Symphony No. 40 in G Minor
Symphony No. 41 in C, <<Jupiter>>
Sound: B Performance: A
The sound quality of this disc is what we have come to expect
of Telarc. Clean and clear. 'Nuf said.
Fasten your seatbelt, Sir Mackerras is about to take us for
ride. These performances are not what we are used to. The
most noticeable changes are the lengths and tempos of the
movements. Here are the times taken from this recording
and another on CBS (below).
CBS Telarc
40th: 1st 8:45 6:57
2nd 8:20 13:27
3rd 5:10 3:56
4th 4:45 9:01
41st: 1st 11:24 10:53
2nd 7:55 10:54
3rd 4:35 4:36
4th 6:35 10:55
The increase in times is from taking all the repeats. The
decrease in times is due a much faster tempo. In the Auguest
1985 issue of OPUS Magazine there was an article titled,
"Toward a 'New' (Old) Minuet (W.M.)", which appearently
said the "Stately Minuet" from that period of music was
quite often no such thing.
After comparing the more traditional recording and this
one, I definately prefer this one. It's very easy to get
used to the faster tempos. The addition of the repeats
makes the disc longer, but I don't mind it.
* * *
Mozart, Raphael Kubelik and the Symphonie-Orchester des
Bayerischen Rundfunks, CBS MK-36703, DDD.
Symphony No. 40 in G Minor
Symphony No. 41 in C, <<Jupiter>>
Sound: C Performance: B
I first got this recording as a half-speed mastered record
and was impressed by how good it sounded. As soon as I saw
it on CD I picked it up. The CD version is very good, but
it seemed like there was something missing. I suspect that
I was expecting more from the CD version and didn't hear it.
The performance is the more traditional one and very good.
* * *
Dvorak, Overtures, Vernon Hadley & The Ulster Orchestra,
Chandos, CHAN 8453, 52:40, DDD.
In Nature's Realm, Overture Op. 91
Carnival, Overture Op. 92
Othello, Overture Op. 93
Scherzo Capriccioso, Op. 66
Sound: B Performance: A (-)
Of all the CDs that I own the two labels that Always sound
good are Telarc and Chandos. Each has label has a charact-
eristic sound; the Telarc sound has a certain warmth while
the Chandos sound is crystal clear. This disc is a beautiful
example of how good Chandos discs tend to sound.
The extra little sounds like pages turning, breathing, etc
are what keep this recording from being an A.
When I first listen to a CD after buying it, I have the bad
habit of reading the comic books I bought that day at the
same time. (This is a bad habit, because I'm hearing the
music rather than listening to it.) About half-way through
the "Carnival Overture" this disc caught my attention. It
was a fairly sudden dynamic change that did it and my reaction
was "Wow!". I played the track and the disc over a couple
of times that day and reinforced my initial opinion that this
is something more than another very good CD. This is a Great
CD.
The '-' comes from what sounds like a missed note near the
beginning of the "Othello Overture".
* * *
Johann Sebastian Bach, The Art of Fugue; Liszt Ferenc Chamber
Orchestra, Budapest; Hungaroton HCD 12810--11-2 (two discs),
DDD.
Sound: A Performance: A
When Digital Audio reviewed this disc last year they gave it
a pair of 10's. Now that I've been able to find and listen
to it, I won't argue. I won't try to write a bunch filler
on the nature of Bach's pure musical works vs. his those he
wrote as part of his work. This performance of this work
speaks for itself.
* * *
Round-Up; Erich Kunzel & the Ciccinnati Pops Orchestra; Frankie
Laine, Vocals; Telarc CD-80141, DDD.
1. Western sounds.
2. Rossini: William Tell Overture (finale).
3. Elmer Bernstein: The Magnificent Seven.
4. Franz Waxman: The Furies Suite.
5. TV Themes:
1) Bonanza
2) Rawhide
3) Wagon Train
4) The Rifleman
6. Alfred Newman: How the West Was Won.
7. Dimitri Tiomkin: Gunfight at OK Corral.
8. Richard Hayman: Pops Hoedown
9. Jerome Moross: Big Country.
10. Dimitri Tiomkin: High Noon.
11. Coyote and Crackling Campfile.
12. Western Medley:
1) Introduction
2) Ti Yi Yippee Yippee Ay
3) Shenandoah
4) Red River Valley
5) Home on the Range
6) Streets of Laredo
13. Bruce Broughton: Themes from Silverado.
Sound: B (D) Performance: C-
The sound quality is classic Telarc with the exception of the
gunshots at the end of the "The Rifleman". These appear to be
the gunshots from the original TV soundtrack. They certainly
sound like it (this is where the "D" comes from). They should
have recorded them using a period actor and weapon... The shots
at the end of "Gunfight at OK Corral" sound about the same.
This is a "Pops Concert". It may have been recorded in a studio
but it's still a pops concert, right down to using the "Lone Ranger"
theme at the beginning and the sing-a-long in track 12. As a
concert it is perfectly done. My only objection to the perform-
ance it that it is a Pops Concert and how that has affected some
of the arrangements.
The pieces that make the disc worthwhile for me are, "The
Magnificent Seven", "How the West Was Won" and "Themes from
Silverado". "Big Country" and "The Furies Suite" don't stand
out in any particular way but are pretty good. The "William
Tell Overture" is taken from Telarc CD-80116.
* * *
|
| 473.16 | Requests. | COOKIE::ROLLOW | Pianists are human? | Mon Mar 02 1987 13:46 | 11 |
| I keep a fairly current listing of my CD's on:
GENRAL::DISK$EIS:[ROLLOW]CDS.LIS
If there's a disk you'd like to know about please let me know.
I'll either respond directly and/or include it a review. The
list is sorted by Group/Composer then by Piece/Work/Song/...
There are a couple of places where the method break down because
I'm to lazy to type in all the pieces (The Paramount Organ CD's
from ProArte).
|
| 473.17 | | COOKIE::ROLLOW | Pianists are human? | Wed Apr 01 1987 02:00 | 172 |
|
In todays review:
The Beatles: Abbey Road; Capitol CDP 7 46446.
J. S. Bach: Stokowski Conducts Bach, The Great Transcriptions;
Leopold Stokowski with the London Symphony Orchestra;
RCA RCD1-3656.
Verdi: Requiem; Robert Shaw and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
& Chorus; Telarc CD-80149.
William Russo: Street Music; George Gershwin: An American in Paris
Seiji Ozawa and the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra,
Corky Siegal, Harmonica and Piano (Russo); Deutsche
Grammophon 420.788-2.
* * *
The Unified Reviewer's Scale.
*************************************************
|[A] Wow! |
|[B] ? - send suggestions to nabeth::alan. |
|[C] Now, *that's* entertainment! (*) |
|[D] ? - send suggestions to nabeth::alan. |
|[F] An expensive Frisbee. |
|[Z] No redeeming social value. |
*************************************************
* Quoted directly from COMICS notes #165.0. This rating
scale was inspired by a similar one used by:
Moriarty, aka Jeff Meyer
and:
--- jayembee (Jerry Boyajian, DEC, Acton-Nagog, MA)
* * *
The Beatles: Abbey Road, Capitol CDP 7 46446
Sound: B+ Music/Peformance: A (of course)
Usually I discuss the sound quality first, but for this disc
I thought it would be good to explain my grading of the music
first. "Abbey Road" is my favorite Beatles album. "The Beatles"
is really good and there are some really good songs on "Revolver"
and "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band", but they don't hold
the proverbial candle to "Abbey Road".
The sound quality is just a little better than my Mobile Fidelity
copy of "Abbey Road". It probably has to do with the lack of pops
and clicks that have snuck into the MFSL copy. The hiss get pretty
heavy in places but generally the disc is pretty quiet and the
beginning of "Here Comes the Sun" is really good.
The other really nice thing they did was put in about a 5-10 second
gap between "I Want You" and "Here Comes the Sun". If you've heard
the Japanese "Abbey Road" that came out about two years ago you may
have noticed that the contrast between these two songs is accented
by having them so close together. It really helps to have those
few seconds of quiet between the abrupt end of "I Want You" and
very quiet beginning of "Here Comes the Sun".
* * *
J. S. Bach: Stokowski Conducts Bach, The Great Transcriptions;
Leopold Stokowski with the London Symphony Orchestra;
RCA RCD1-3656.
Sound: C- Music/Performance: B
This is a very quiet disc and RCA did a good job transfering
it to CD. But my worst fears were realized at the end of
"Ein' feste Burg" and there was only so much RCA could do.
I have this recording on vinal and the ending of "Ein' feste
Burg" has has always sounded a little distorted. I had always
assumed this was due to the cheapness of the pressing and wear
on the record being played so often. Now it looks like at least
some of the distortion is on the original tape. Generally the
disc never gets loud enough for there to be a problem, but this
one instance really stands out.
All is not lost though. All of the pieces are very well played
and only once does the poor sound quality overshadow the fine
performance.
* * *
Verdi: Requiem; Robert Shaw and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
& Chorus; Telarc CD-80149.
Sound: A Music: A Performance: A-
Telarc did a really incredible job recording this piece. It
is at least as good as the job they did on the recording of
Berlioz's Requiem (also with Shaw) that won a Grammy. The
"Dies irae" is captured without any distortion and the words
are intelligible (if you understand Latin). The bass drum
on the "Dies irae" as well recorded as the one on Telarc
CD-80038 that prompt their first warning to be careful about
the volume. A similiar warning has been added to this disc.
For this disc I've given the music it's own rating because
the piece has been a long time favorite. While the performance
is very good, it isn't the best I could expect from the
performers and conductor. There's something missing from this
performance that was in the recording of Berlioz's Requiem
(Telarc CD-80109-2). I'm not really sure what's missing, but
this is still an exceptional recording and it will quite some-
time before I find another one like it.
* * *
William Russo: Street Music; George Gershwin: An American in Paris
Seiji Ozawa and the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra,
Corky Siegal, Harmonica and Piano (Russo); Deutsche
Grammophon 420.788-2.
Sound: B Music/Performance: B
The sound quality of this disc is really good. There is very
little hiss and there isn't a problem with the music ever being
too loud.
When I bought this as a record a few years ago, it was get a
recording of "An American in Paris". I really had no idea
what I was getting into with the other piece. I was just a
little surprised :-) when the first instrument I heard was
a Harmonica. "Street Music" by William Russo is "A Blues
Concerto" for Piano, Harmonica and Orchestra. I only had to
listen to the piece to decide that I liked it. The music
is a very nice blending of Blues and (late) Classical (or
Romantic). "Street Music" is a very interesting piece of
music which I recommend if you aren't afraid hearing something
different or hearing a symphony orchestra being used in
way that you aren't used to.
This is a good recording of "An American in Paris". Ozawa
and the San Francisco Symphony seem to have a very good
understanding of the style that this piece needs. It
also stands up very against the more recent version that I
have on CD.
* * *
For those that might be taking these reviews seriously:
April Fools!
Please read on; apologies will follow in the next reply.
The non-recordings that I reviewed for today are all either
favorite records or very high on my wishlist of performances.
The RCA and Deutsche Grammophon are both available on vinal
(the source of my review) and if you are still buying records
I recommend them. I will continue to wait impatiently for
them to appear on CD.
As most of us probably know "Abbey Road" isn't scheduled
for release until much later this year. I hope that Capitol
will see fit to add the 5-10 second gap I mentioned before
"Here Comes the Sun". I have heard the bootleg "Abbey Road"
and the closeness of those two cuts is annoying. They really
need to simulate the time it would take to turn the record
over.
To the best of my knowledge the Shaw doesn't exist at all.
I hope that someday it will because I believe that Shaw
and Telarc can give us a really exceptional recording.
|
| 473.18 | | COOKIE::ROLLOW | Pianists are human? | Wed Apr 01 1987 02:11 | 21 |
| Apologies:
I'm sorry if you didn't appreciate or felt abused by the joke.
Please direct personal flames to nabeth::alan. Writting
reviews for non-existant CD's wasn't easy, but it helped to
have the recordings on record with the exception of the Shaw.
The actual catalog numbers for the source records are:
"Abbey Road" - Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs MFSL 1-023
"Great Transcriptions" - RCA Gold Seal AGL1-3656
"Street Music"/"An American in Paris" - DGG 2530.788
The recording (CD) I used as source for the Verdi was:
London 411.944-2, Sir Georg Solti conducting the Vienna
Philharmonic & Vienna State Opera Chorus. Soloists:
Joan Sutherland, soprano; Marilyn Horne, mezzo-soprano;
Lucinao Pavarotti, tenor; Martti Talvela, bass
This was a good recording, but I'm still looking for better.
|
| 473.19 | A short one until I have more time... | COOKIE::ROLLOW | Murphy's Law applies. | Wed Apr 22 1987 02:19 | 68 |
| In this note:
Heitor Villa Lobos: Bachianas Brasileiras No. 7, Choros No. 6;
Varese Sarabande VCD 47257
Coming soon to a notes conference near you...
Benjamin Britten: The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra,
Variations on a Theme of Frank Bridge, Simple Symphony;
London 417.509-2
Jeff Wayne: War of the Worlds; CBS CDCBS 96000
Louis Armstrong & Duke Ellington: "Together for the First Time" &
"The Great Reunion", Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs, MFCD 2-807
* * *
The Unified Reviewer's Scale.
*************************************************
|[A] Wow! |
|[B] It can't get much better. |
|[C] Now, *that's* entertainment! (*) |
|[D] ? - send suggestions to nabeth::alan. |
|[F] An expensive Frisbee. |
|[Z] No redeeming social value. |
*************************************************
* Quoted directly from COMICS notes #165.0. This rating
scale was inspired by a similar one used by:
Moriarty, aka Jeff Meyer
and:
--- jayembee (Jerry Boyajian, DEC, Acton-Nagog, MA)
The following "reviews" are really an editorial in disguise.
* * *
Heitor Villa Lobos: Bachianas Brasileiras No. 7, Choros No. 6;
Villa Lobos conducting the Berlin Radio Symphony
Orchestra; Varese Sarabande VCD 47257, ADD.
Sound: B Music/Performance: B
This performance was recorded in 1954. There is noticeable
hiss, but it is not overpowering. Aside from the hiss the
recording is very clear. There are a couple of places that
sound like a slight miss in the editing but on the whole this
disc has a very good sound. Oh, it is also a mono recording,
but considering the age, I'll not hold that against it.
When I first bought this CD I did so because it was music I
didn't have and was on a label I trusted. It wasn't until
later that I realized it was the composer conducting his own
music that the recording was more than 30 years old. Since
I don't have any other recordings of the music to compare
against I can't reasonably say if this is good performance
of the work, but I know that I enjoyed it. The music is a
fairly modern style that is still very lyrical. According
to the liner notes, Villa Lobos was trying to bring together
the musical forms of his native Brazil and the European
classical tradition. I think he succeded and I'd like to
hear more.
|
| 473.20 | The LIST. | COOKIE::ROLLOW | Murphy's Law applies. | Sun May 17 1987 00:30 | 6 |
| re: .16
Rather than generate a new list each week, I'm going to try and
maintain a base list and a list of updates to that list.The
update list is the same place on GENRAL:: in CDS_UPDATE.LIS.
|
| 473.21 | To Colorado Springs noters. | COOKIE::ROLLOW | Murphy's Law applies. | Sun May 17 1987 00:47 | 16 |
| Wanna borrow a CD? If there is a disc in my collection (library?)
that you would like to listen to, I may be willing to let you
borrow it overnight. If I already know you or can attach you to
a node::username, just let me know and we'll see what we can work
out. Please send mail, my phone rings to much as it is and I'm
not in CXO3.
The basic ground rules are:
1. This will not apply to selected discs. (The MFSL Woodstock
stays at home...)
2. PLEASE DON'T record it.
3. Treat it like your files depend on it :-).
|
| 473.22 | It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing. | COOKIE::ROLLOW | Even Bricks need love. | Sun Aug 16 1987 22:29 | 126 |
|
Benjamin Britten: The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra,
Variations on a Theme of Frank Bridge, Simple Symphony;
London 417.509-2
Jeff Wayne: War of the Worlds; CBS CDCBS 96000
Heitor Villa Lobos: Bachianas Brasileiras No. 7, Choros No. 6;
Varese Sarabande VCD 47257
Louis Armstrong & Duke Ellington: "Together for the First Time" &
"The Great Reunion", Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs, MFCD 2-807
* * *
The Unified Reviewer's Scale.
*************************************************
|[A] Wow! |
|[B] It can't get much better. |
|[C] Now, *that's* entertainment! (*) |
|[D] ? - send suggestions to nabeth::alan. |
|[F] An expensive Frisbee. |
|[Z] No redeeming social value. |
*************************************************
* Quoted directly from COMICS notes #165.0. This rating
scale was inspired by a similar one used by:
Moriarty, aka Jeff Meyer
and:
--- jayembee (Jerry Boyajian, DEC, Acton-Nagog, MA)
The following "reviews" were going to be an editorial in
disguise, but I'm not in an editorial mood at the nt.
The review of the Varese Sarabande disc is a rerun of the
one couple of notes back.
* * *
Heitor Villa Lobos: Bachianas Brasileiras No. 7, Choros No. 6;
Villa Lobos conducting the Berlin Radio Symphony
Orchestra; Varese Sarabande VCD 47257, ADD.
Sound: B Music/Performance: B
This performance was recorded in 1954. There is noticeable
hiss, but it is not overpowering. Aside from the hiss the
recording is very clear. There are a couple of places that
sound like a slight miss in the editing but on the whole this
disc has a very good sound. Oh, it is also a mono recording,
but considering the age, I'll not hold that against it.
When I first bought this CD I did so because it was music I
didn't have and was on a label I trusted. It wasn't until
later that I realized it was the composer conducting his own
music that the recording was more than 30 years old. Since
I don't have any other recordings of the music to compare
against I can't reasonably say if this is good performance
of the work, but I know that I enjoyed it. The music is a
fairly modern style that is still very lyrical. According
to the liner notes, Villa Lobos was trying to bring together
the musical forms of his native Brazil and the European
classical tradition. I think he succeded and I'd like to
hear more.
* * *
Benjamin Britten: The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra,
Variations on a Theme of Frank Bridge, Simple Symphony;
London 417.509-2
Sound: C+ Music/Performance: B+
Each of the pieces on this disc was conducted by Britten. "The
Young Person's Guide" was recorded in 1963, "The Simple Symphony
in 1968 and the "Variations" in 1967. The sound quality is very
good, with just a little hiss. There are better sounding versions
of these pieces available on CD, but there's something special
about these performances. It might really be the fact that Britten
is conducting them himself, or it could be something else. Whatever
it is, this is a very good disc.
I've always liked "The Young Person's Guide..." and "Variations",
but this was the first time I REALLY noticed the "Simple Symphony".
I have it on another CD, but this one is special.
* * *
Jeff Wayne: War of the Worlds; CBS CDCBS 96000
Sound: A Music/Performance: A
Richard Burton as the journalist is what really makes this
disc(s) stand out. The music and other sounds are really
very good, but that voice is what brings life to the material.
For those that aren't familiar with the recording, the close
quick description I can come up with is studio musical. It
consists of narration, dialogue and music based on H.G. Wells
"War of the Worlds". I don't know how close this version is
to the original.
* * *
Louis Armstrong & Duke Ellington: "Together for the First Time" &
"The Great Reunion", Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs, MFCD 2-807
Sound: B Music/Performance: A
I like this disc. The sound quality is very good given it's
age, but this recording is one of those that reminds us that
the music is what it's all about. For me the whole is summed
up in the song "It don't mean a thing".
What good is melody, what good is music, if it
ain't possessin' something sweet.
Now it ain't the melody and it ain't the music,
there's something else that makes this tune complete.
It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing...
|
| 473.23 | Two down, two to go... | COOKIE::ROLLOW | Even Bricks need love. | Sun Aug 16 1987 22:39 | 31 |
|
For April Fools I reviewed the following discs.
The Beatles: Abbey Road; Capitol CDP 7 46446.
J. S. Bach: Stokowski Conducts Bach, The Great Transcriptions;
Leopold Stokowski with the London Symphony Orchestra;
RCA RCD1-3656.
Verdi: Requiem; Robert Shaw and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
& Chorus; Telarc CD-80152-2.
William Russo: Street Music; George Gershwin: An American in Paris
Seiji Ozawa and the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra,
Corky Siegal, Harmonica and Piano (Russo); Deutsche
Grammophon 419.625-2.
Well, we're still waiting for Abbey Road and I think it will
a very long (if ever) before we see the Stokowski, but Telarc
has released a CD of Shaw and company doing Verdi's Requiem.
I've had one of my friendly locals stores order a copy. If
anybody else gets it please let me know if I was right.
DG did release a disc with the recordings of "An American in
Paris" and "Street Music" on it. The disc also has "Symphonic
Dances from West Side Story". It is at least as good as I
expected it to be.
I've updated the catalog numbers of the disc available to
reflect reality. I'm still guessing about Abbey Road and
the RCA.
|
| 473.24 | another thumbs up for War of the Worlds | VIDEO::ASHE | Tremendous my friend... | Wed Aug 19 1987 22:53 | 12 |
| re .-2
I agree with the review of War of the Worlds. It's a 2 disk set
about 93 minutes (just misses fitting on a 90 minute tape unless
you splice one song). It includes Justin Hayward doing the singing
narration, David Essex and Phil Lynott of Thin Lizzy doing guitar
solos in the role of the Martians. It's similar in style to Alan
Parsons or Moody Blues for lack of someone else to compare it to.
Excellent music and great sound.
Walt
|
| 473.25 | | REGENT::SCHMIEDER | | Thu Aug 20 1987 14:29 | 49 |
| Purchased last night:
---------------------
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young:
So Far
Depeche Mode:
People Are People
Gabriel, Peter:
Security
So
---------------------
My observations on "So Far" match Tom Powers' observations on "Crosby Stills &
Nash". I usually only use my equaliser when taping, in order to minimise the
differences between production jobs on various albums, rare tracks, 45's, etc.
But last night I had to use it on playback. It appears that a low-pass
filter was used, to try to minimise the hiss (which is STILL substantial!).
Normally, raising the high octave on my EQ causes hiss or raspiness. But
raising it by as much as 12db produced NATURAL results in this case! I also
had to slightly muffle the low end as it was rather boomy. After that, the CD
sounded OK, but I can't compare to the vinyl considering the condition of my
copies (I've never heard a mint copy).
The Depeche Mode blew me away! Here is a CD done right! The only song that
didn't have as much of a live quality to it was the 12" mix of "Everything
Counts". This leads me to believe that the difference in quality between 12"
singles and albums has more to do with the spacing of the grooves (and
sometimes the speed) than the production or "remix" job. I can live with
this, since there aren't all that many 12" mixes I like of many artists.
The Peter Gabriel left me unimpressed, and I did an A/B on "So". Quite
frankly, there is so much signal processing used on this album, that I can't
tell which I prefer. The vinyl seems a bit "warmer", but the voice sounds
more natural on the CD.
In fact, in general, the vocals are what have impressed me the most about CD's
I've heard. Perhaps the lack of compression makes the voice sound more
natural, as the human voice is altered considerably by the subtlest
processing.
Another label that's right up there with MCA in quality, almost across the
board, is RCA. Presumably, this also applies to A&M, which went from indie
status to some sort of arrangement with RCA a few years back.
Mark
|
| 473.26 | | REGENT::SCHMIEDER | | Fri Aug 21 1987 10:44 | 28 |
| I listened to "So Far" again last night, this time A/B-ing to my worn-down
originals. Forgetting technical considerations, I feel the remix is FAR
superior to the originals, if only because they managed to practically bury
Graham Nash's voice in the harmonies and bring out Stephen Stills' and David
Crosby's beautiful voices more individually (they are more distinct, due to
being panned further from the centre than before).
Also bought the new U2, which I stuck my foot in my mouth about when it first
came out, but which I have grown to really like (perhaps the best of any of
their albums, in fact). The CD is very dynamic, very live sounding. Haven't
heard the vinyl, so can't compare. Highly recommended!
Also bought Yazoo's "Upstairs at Eric's". Opinion not formed yet. I had high
hopes for this one, but was a bit disappointed. I will A/B with tape made
from vinyl, though tape was made on old stereo system so the CD almost HAS to
be better. Don't own the vinyl; borrowed to tape last year because I was
unable to find in the stores.
Bought another Depeche Mode due to quality of the other. Haven't listened
yet. Filled in some more Peter Gabriel (can't find his stuff used, so may as
well buy it on CD). Can't find II anywhere, am not sure whether it's
available on CD yet. Not interested in I.
Plays Live and III were both made in Germany. Will be interesting to see if
there's a quality difference between those and the ones made in America.
Mark
|
| 473.27 | Pierre Boulez, Pli selon pli | DSSDEV::CHALTAS | What are you doing, Dave? | Thu Sep 03 1987 10:24 | 41 |
|
Erato ECD 88074
"Pli selon pli", on texts of Mallerm� (sp?.)
Time: 68:04
Pierre Boulez, conductor
BBC Symphony, a soprano who's name I forgot
Performance: 9/10
Recording: 9/10
Music: 10/10
I was (and still am) astonished and delighted by this disk.
The music is amazingly beautiful, and makes sense at first
hearing (unlike an awful lot of 'new' music). Even my
parakeets like it!
The music is *not* simple, but neither does it wear its complexity
like a merit badge.
Performance is *very* good, but there are some instances of
fluffed rhythms (understandable). The singing is wonderful.
Most of the piece does not use the singer.
You hear very few extraneous noises on the recording -- some
breathing and creaking of chairs, but not much. Mostly the
music is in a silent background (except for my parakeets :).
Everything sounds very natural and well balanced.
If you like "Le marteau sans ma�tre", you'll like this.
If you like 'new' music *and* Mahler half as much as I do,
you'll like this.
George
|
| 473.28 | Incredible "Famous Blue Raincoat" | STAR::BECK | Paul Beck | Thu Sep 03 1987 19:21 | 27 |
| I haven't seen this one reviewed yet, and it's worth mention:
Jennifer Warnes - Famous Blue Raincoat
The Songs of Leonard Cohen
Cypress 661111-2 (DDD)
This is one fabulous recording. I normally haven't been a great
fan of Leonard Cohen - he's a bit pretentious for my taste, and
songs like Suzanne were overrated. And I've never bought any
of Jennifer Warnes' material before, as she tends far too much
towards MOR schlock for me. So why do I love this recording?
First off, the production is incredible. The arrangements, which
border on lush, are nonetheless excellent, enhance the songs, and
are unexpected. (Bird on a Wire with a Marvin Gaye-style arrangement
instead of C&W? Fantastic smokey bar feel to "Famous Blue Raincoat".
And I won't attempt to describe the backup to "A Singer Must Die" -
you just gotta listen to it.)
Second, Warnes' singing is absolutely tops - it goes right down
your spine.
Lastly, the selection of songs is mostly songs I wasn't familiar
with. I only knew three (Bird on a Wire, Famous Blue Raincoat, Joan
of Arc).
Thank goodness CDs don't wear out from being played a lot...
|
| 473.29 | Nice discs. GOOD music. | COOKIE::ROLLOW | It's OK to say the U... word | Tue Sep 29 1987 22:08 | 45 |
|
I don't have time for a long review, but there a few discs
I got recently that I was very impressed by.
* * *
Dvorak, Antonin:
Symphony No. 5 in F, Op. 76
Overture, "Hussite"
Overture, "My Home"
London 417.597-2 (C)
Symphony No. 6
Symphonic Variations
London 417.598-2 (C)
Symphony No. 4
The Golden Spinning Wheel
London 417.596-2 (C)
Performed by the London Symphony Orchestra, Istvan
Kertesz conductor (1963-1966).
Between 1963 and 1966 Istvan Kertesz and the LSO recorded all
the Dvorak symphonies and some filler pieces for DECCA. London
hasn't released the rest of the recordings, but I hope they do.
There's some hiss, but the quality of the performance is what
really counts and these are VERY good.
* * *
Nielsen, Carl:
Aladdin, Suite for orchestra, Op. 34
Symphony No. 2, Op. 16, "The Four Temperaments"
BIS CD-247 (C)
Performed by the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra, Myung-Whun
Chung conductor.
I REALLY like the music on this disc. I don't think I'd heard
the pieces before, but there are some familiar themes. The
sound quality is very good, but I haven't paid close attention
to it. On this disc it is enough that it doesn't distract from
the music.
|
| 473.30 | More quickies. | COOKIE::ROLLOW | Return of the Killer Mutant Monday | Mon Dec 14 1987 10:47 | 11 |
| re: .17
I FINALLY got a copy of the Shaw Verdi's Requiem on Telarc. My
April Fool's review underestimated the quality of the performance
a little. When the I get the time to sit down and work on it
I'll rewrite the original review to allow for reality.
I also got Alan Parson's "Tales of Mystery and Imagination - Edgar
Allan Poe". They did a fantastic job of remastering this one.
It's on Mercury, catalog number 832 820-2.
|