SPOTLIGHT The classical music general discussion thread

QuadraphonicQuad

Help Support QuadraphonicQuad:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

windhoek

The Phoolosopher
Joined
Nov 9, 2012
Messages
622
Location
Somewhere in your mind as a memory...
It doesn't look like there's a general thread for discussing multichannel classical music, whether in this or that format, from this or that label, or with this or that many channels, etc, so I thought I'd start one myself so we can talk about the this and that of multichannel classical music. I'll start it off:

Ralph pointed me in the direction of this Sibelius 5-SACD/1-blu ray disc box set the other day and although I've yet to play the multichannel options (I play new music in stereo first to find out whether I like it and because I'm a Sibelius newbie, as it were, stereo options are up first), I'm coming to the conclusion that this might be the bargain the century as it's currently £20.24 delivered - that works out at £3.37 per disc! I have no reference as to whether the performances are good but I'm mighty impressed with what I've heard so far; I've got one more to disc to play before I play the multichannel options, whereupon I'll update the thread accordingly.

That's me - what about you? What have you bought, heard, enjoyed or disliked recently and/or over the years when it comes to multichannel classical music?

Oh, and fwiw, my favourite symphony is Mahler's 3rd as performed by Abbado-Lucerne Festival Orchestra as seen and heard on this blu ray in 5.1 :phones
 
I was on vacation last week so I didn't see this. I think we're a minority on this board - I feel like the old sa-cd.net was much more classical friendly. The LSO Live performances are generally good - the orchestra is one of the best in the the world and conductors first rate. There are some exceptions for Valery Gergiev's recordings - he's incredible in the right repertoire, but he's stretched way too thin lately and is sort of conducting on autopilot without enough rehearsal.

Don't expect much in the way of discrete from LSO recordings, but they are made natively to DSD. The blu-ray also includes multiple listening versions of the whole program in stereo and surround.
 
It doesn't look like there's a general thread for discussing multichannel classical music, whether in this or that format, from this or that label, or with this or that many channels, etc, so I thought I'd start one myself so we can talk about the this and that of multichannel classical music. I'll start it off:

Ralph pointed me in the direction of this Sibelius 5-SACD/1-blu ray disc box set the other day and although I've yet to play the multichannel options (I play new music in stereo first to find out whether I like it and because I'm a Sibelius newbie, as it were, stereo options are up first), I'm coming to the conclusion that this might be the bargain the century as it's currently £20.24 delivered - that works out at £3.37 per disc! I have no reference as to whether the performances are good but I'm mighty impressed with what I've heard so far; I've got one more to disc to play before I play the multichannel options, whereupon I'll update the thread accordingly.

That's me - what about you? What have you bought, heard, enjoyed or disliked recently and/or over the years when it comes to multichannel classical music?

Oh, and fwiw, my favourite symphony is Mahler's 3rd as performed by Abbado-Lucerne Festival Orchestra as seen and heard on this blu ray in 5.1 :phones

Derek, you might also want to investigate this stunning BD~A/SACD boxset from the LSO as well conducted by Sir Colin Davis. I've supplied the AmazonUK link and if you want to order, make sure you choose the Blu Ray Audio option and also read the AmazonUK reviews. They're VERY accurate: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Nielsen-Sy...=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B00SKFJETK

Contains 1 BD~A in 24/192 resolution and 4 mch SACDs in a nifty boxset [same as the Sibelius symphonies]. Very highly Recommended!

BTW, I still find HRAudio.net an invaluable source for CLASSICAL. The few reviews posted are always spot on and also worth noting are the comments from various posters and of course they provide links for purchasing.
 
Last edited:
I was on vacation last week so I didn't see this. I think we're a minority on this board - I feel like the old sa-cd.net was much more classical friendly. The LSO Live performances are generally good - the orchestra is one of the best in the the world and conductors first rate. There are some exceptions for Valery Gergiev's recordings - he's incredible in the right repertoire, but he's stretched way too thin lately and is sort of conducting on autopilot without enough rehearsal.

Don't expect much in the way of discrete from LSO recordings, but they are made natively to DSD. The blu-ray also includes multiple listening versions of the whole program in stereo and surround.


Yeah, I think you're right. Looking at the first five pages of sa-cd.net, it looks like the classical/pop and rock ratio is about 8 or 9:1, whereas, over here on QQ it's the other way around. I'm mostly a pop/rock guy so I don't mind either way, but I definitely go through phases where my penchant for classical takes over. And you're right about the level of discreetness of the LSO performances: it's ambient as we've come to expect. I don't mind that as long as the music and performances deliver and in my mind the Sibelius box set delivers on both counts.

I've heard a few Gergiev-conducted performances over the years and although he has his forte(s), some of what I heard seemed less than stellar. I don't know enough about composing and conducting classical music to say what exactly it was that I found lacking, I just know I've heard him conduct music I've heard before and his performances wouldn't be my first choice.

Anyway, I see Ralph has posted something about a Nielsen box set, so I'm off to investigate...
 
Derek, you might also want to investigate this stunning BD~A/SACD boxset from the LSO as well conducted by Sir Colin Davis. I've supplied the AmazonUK link and if you want to order, make sure you choose the Blu Ray Audio option and also read the AmazonUK reviews. They're VERY accurate: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Nielsen-Sy...=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B00SKFJETK

Contains 1 BD~A in 24/192 resolution and 4 mch SACDs in a nifty boxset [same as the Sibelius symphonies]. Very highly Recommended!

BTW, I still find HRAudio.net an invaluable source for CLASSICAL. The few reviews posted are always spot on and also worth noting are the comments from various posters and of course they provide links for purchasing.


Yeah, the HRA site contains useful info even without a forum. Like Sibelius, I've never really heard Nielsen's music before, so I'll investigate on Youtube and see what his music sounds like (y)
 
Ralph pointed me in the direction of this Sibelius 5-SACD/1-blu ray disc box set the other day and although I've yet to play the multichannel options (I play new music in stereo first to find out whether I like it and because I'm a Sibelius newbie, as it were, stereo options are up first), I'm coming to the conclusion that this might be the bargain the century as it's currently £20.24 delivered - that works out at £3.37 per disc! I have no reference as to whether the performances are good but I'm mighty impressed with what I've heard so far; I've got one more to disc to play before I play the multichannel options, whereupon I'll update the thread accordingly.

It looks like the multichannel mixes found in the Sibelius box set are ambient, as we've come to expect with surround sound classical releases. Still, the music, mastering and performances are pretty darn good all the same so the box set is still a big hit for me :phones
 
Last edited:
No love for Bruckner? LOL! ;)

There are several fine multichannel cycles of Bruckner's symphonies on SACD. They are available individually and in box sets. Here are a few alphabetically listed:

Blomstedt
https://www.amazon.com/Bruckner-Complete-Symphonies-Anton/dp/B0094BDO9A

Janowski
https://www.amazon.com/Bruckner-Symphonies-Orchestre-Suisse-Romande/dp/B00TP96RJ0#customerReviews

Young
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bruckner-Symphony-Philharmonic-Orchestra-CLASSICS/dp/B00U0S0NV8

Zweden
https://www.amazon.com/Anton-Bruckn...coding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=D7RNPXYNSKPBMYV6AP5T

A recording that I've been enjoying recently is the organ recording "Confluences" on the Aeolus label. The overall musical program is on the mellow side. Bruckner's Adagio from his 7th symphony is beautifully performed by Maurice Clement as is the rest of the program, including Wagner's Vorspiel from Tristan and Isolde.

http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2018/Jul/Confluences_AE11141.htm
 
Last edited:
No love for Bruckner? LOL! ;)

There are several fine multichannel cycles of Bruckner's symphonies on SACD. They are available individually and in box sets. Here are a few alphabetically listed:

Blomstedt
https://www.amazon.com/Bruckner-Complete-Symphonies-Anton/dp/B0094BDO9A

Janowski
https://www.amazon.com/Bruckner-Symphonies-Orchestre-Suisse-Romande/dp/B00TP96RJ0#customerReviews

Young
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bruckner-Symphony-Philharmonic-Orchestra-CLASSICS/dp/B00U0S0NV8

Zweden
https://www.amazon.com/Anton-Bruckn...coding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=D7RNPXYNSKPBMYV6AP5T

A recording that I've been enjoying recently is the organ recording "Confluences" on the Aeolus label. The overall musical program is the mellow side. Bruckner's Adagio from his 7th symphony is beautifully performed by Maurice Clement as is the rest of the program, including Wagner's Vorspiel from Tristan and Isolde.

http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2018/Jul/Confluences_AE11141.htm

NOPE, Brett, until they release a Bruckner box set with a BD~A in 24/192.

Methinks, Brett, you were an organist in your former life in a small country church in rural Evanston, Indiana........ LOL!


eb69c7d1f6f6ce4178327f378085356b.jpg
 
Last edited:
Organ makes everything better, Ralphie! LOL!! :giggle:

For example, another Aeolus Disc I've been spinning recently is J.S. Bach: Sonatas for Viola da Gamba & Harpsichord - Zipperling, Bauer. Sabine Bauer not only plays a harpsichord but also provides alternative accompaniment on a claviorgan. Woohoo!!! :QQlove

https://www.hraudio.net/showmusic.php?title=9689&showall=0
 
Did someone say organ? I bought this organ transcription of The Planets recently and although it's not mega discrete, it's a nice alternative to the standard orchestral version all the same.

As for my next classical purchase, I'm looking at this stripped-back version of The Four Seasons by Vivaldi as performed by Rachel Podger and Brecon Baroque. It's got great reviews all over the web but I've yet to see much on how discrete the surround sound mix is on the multichannel layer of the SACD. I guess it's just going to have to be a case of buy it and see - something I'm trying to cut down on as I've got a lot of surround sound music to sell after buying this and that blind but only liking about half of it.
 
I have also had my eye on Podger's Four Seasons. It's just that I've got so many other recordings of Vivaldi's popular work. Anyway, I'll eventually pick it up as I tend to acquire her MC recordings as a matter of course. Her performances never disappoint and Channel's MC recordings sound great... naturally immersive if not full out discrete.

Grandissima Gravita is also excellent: https://www.hraudio.net/showmusic.php?title=12480#reviews
as is Perla Barocca: https://www.hraudio.net/showmusic.php?title=10025

Man, there are so many multichannel classical recordings on my plate. I've been revisiting Georg Friedrich Händel's oratorios on the Carus label, whose recording engineers have beautifully captured the resonance of the Frauenkirche in Dresden, Germany. Performances are consistent and first rate, IMHO. What a joy it is to listen to these amazing works! Now listening to: Jephtha - Matthias Grünert.
 
No love for Bruckner? LOL! ;)

There are several fine multichannel cycles of Bruckner's symphonies on SACD. They are available individually and in box sets. Here are a few alphabetically listed:

Blomstedt
https://www.amazon.com/Bruckner-Complete-Symphonies-Anton/dp/B0094BDO9A

Janowski
https://www.amazon.com/Bruckner-Symphonies-Orchestre-Suisse-Romande/dp/B00TP96RJ0#customerReviews

Young
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bruckner-Symphony-Philharmonic-Orchestra-CLASSICS/dp/B00U0S0NV8

Zweden
https://www.amazon.com/Anton-Bruckn...coding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=D7RNPXYNSKPBMYV6AP5T

A recording that I've been enjoying recently is the organ recording "Confluences" on the Aeolus label. The overall musical program is on the mellow side. Bruckner's Adagio from his 7th symphony is beautifully performed by Maurice Clement as is the rest of the program, including Wagner's Vorspiel from Tristan and Isolde.

http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2018/Jul/Confluences_AE11141.htm
I like Bosch's cycle as well. I don't think Young's cycle ever came out in a box, which is unfortunate.
 
I have also had my eye on Podger's Four Seasons. It's just that I've got so many other recordings of Vivaldi's popular work. Anyway, I'll eventually pick it up as I tend to acquire her MC recordings as a matter of course. Her performances never disappoint and Channel's MC recordings sound great... naturally immersive if not full out discrete.

Grandissima Gravita is also excellent: https://www.hraudio.net/showmusic.php?title=12480#reviews
as is Perla Barocca: https://www.hraudio.net/showmusic.php?title=10025

Man, there are so many multichannel classical recordings on my plate. I've been revisiting Georg Friedrich Händel's oratorios on the Carus label, whose recording engineers have beautifully captured the resonance of the Frauenkirche in Dresden, Germany. Performances are consistent and first rate, IMHO. What a joy it is to listen to these amazing works! Now listening to: Jephtha - Matthias Grünert.
As Lute says, Channel's recordings aren't really discrete, but they're of such a high level I don't worry too much about it.
 
Stripped down??? It is a blast. A revelation.

I'm sure I read somewhere that compared to other releases, Podger uses far fewer players, hence my stripped back description. But a blast and a revelation you say? Then even if the surround mix isn't that dynamic, I'll be happy to buy it for its promising performance all the same... wait, news just in: I just bought it :phones
 
On the subject of Nielsen, like a lot of people I guess, I fell in love with his work on hearing "The Inextinguishable" as a teenager, which just blew my socks off! He's still, remarkably, not performed anywhere near as much he should be and I try to get to any live performances I can. He's often reasonably well represented at The Proms (and boy does his style fill the RAH!)
I have this treasured giant box set of SQ LPs of the complete symphonic cycle and other works in vibrant quad with the Danish Radio Symphony Orchestra under Herbert Blomstedt recorded in 1975:

CNS1.JPG

CNS2.JPG

CNS3.JPG

CNS4.JPG

"Herbert Blomstedt and recording producer David Mottley at a playback session during the recording of the Nielsen Symphonies":
CNS5.JPG


The biography section of the booklet has lots of photos of Nielsen I’ve not seen anywhere else including this one below with the fascinating caption: “The international breakthrough for his music for which Carl Nielsen had hoped, was not realised in his lifetime, but he had the satisfaction of seeing himself crowned as the greatest composer of Scandinavia. Sibelius, his close rival, once told Nielsen “I don’t reach as high as your ankles”. They are seen together at the Scandinavian Music Festival in Copenhagen in 1928 with the Swedish composer Wilhelm Stenhammer (below Sibelius)” -

CNS7.JPG
 
Last edited:
I'm sure I read somewhere that compared to other releases, Podger uses far fewer players, hence my stripped back description.
The range of number of players varies widely and, depending on how one makes the calculation, I think her group is about average in sieze.

But a blast and a revelation you say? Then even if the surround mix isn't that dynamic, I'll be happy to buy it for its promising performance all the same... wait, news just in: I just bought it :phones
(y)
 
Back
Top