Timbo21
Prominent Member
Late last year, for my birthday, I asked for John Elliot Gardiner's latest SACD of 'The Planets'. I was somewhat disappointed, since I know how natural SACD can sound, especially in the treble, & I found the top end a bit brash & digital sounding, & the performance was okay, if not a bit sterile.
However, a bit later I came across a review of Walter Susskind's quadrophonic recording of 'The Planets', which has been mastered & transferred to SACD. I therefore decided to give it a try after my previous disappointment. Wow! This is a fantastic recording. Originally done in the 70's onto analogue this is a really exciting recording full of emotion & amazing dynamics that far surpasses John Gardiner's version. Sound quality, & Walter Susskind's interpretation excellently adding an angelic choir on the tail of the last piece, is just top notch. You really feel you've gone on a journey. This really is SACD at it's best. I really was quite surprised at the dynamics from these old recordings. The tone of them is satisfying in every department.
If you like this piece, & haven't heard this version, go get a copy from amazon. Best heard in surround IMO
T.
However, a bit later I came across a review of Walter Susskind's quadrophonic recording of 'The Planets', which has been mastered & transferred to SACD. I therefore decided to give it a try after my previous disappointment. Wow! This is a fantastic recording. Originally done in the 70's onto analogue this is a really exciting recording full of emotion & amazing dynamics that far surpasses John Gardiner's version. Sound quality, & Walter Susskind's interpretation excellently adding an angelic choir on the tail of the last piece, is just top notch. You really feel you've gone on a journey. This really is SACD at it's best. I really was quite surprised at the dynamics from these old recordings. The tone of them is satisfying in every department.
If you like this piece, & haven't heard this version, go get a copy from amazon. Best heard in surround IMO
T.