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Discussion: Brahms: Early Piano Works Vol. 2 - Hardy Rittner

Posts: 3
Post by Fugue December 24, 2009 (1 of 3)
I'm afraid I don't share the glowing opinion of this release! While there is nothing wrong with Rittner's playing, the sound was just too off-putting for me. It's much too reverberant/distantly mic'd, and the tone of the instrument is just too anemic--it's an improvement over fortepianos, but for me, it lacks the power of modern instruments.
Post by steviev December 24, 2009 (2 of 3)
I preferred the piano used in volume 1 of this series, and wish Mr. Rittner shared my preference. But after a few listens, my ears have grown accustomed to this instrument, and it does not get in the way of my enjoyment.

MDG's 2+2+2 discs do tend toward the spacious, in my experience (I own about twenty MDG SACDs). I suspect they are showing off the technology -- really, what would be the point of jamming six microphones under the piano lid? Might as well record in mono.

This disc is certainly not for those who like a clean, dry piano acoustic.
Post by Fugue December 24, 2009 (3 of 3)
Something in between would be nice! Michael Korstick's Oehms Beethoven Sonatas have a good balance between presence and spaciousness. I'm not looking for a typical DG claustrophobic perspective, but I would like it to sound as if the mics were in the same room as the piano... :-)

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