Post by Johnno June 18, 2005 (11 of 19)
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zeus said:
The small squares means that you haven't installed the Japanese language additions for your browser. If you need the confidence of seeing it in English (or don't want to use Babel Fish) you can always order it from HMV Japan ... it'll just cost you more (delivered). Sometimes discs originating in Japan appear on US or European online vendor sites but generally at a substantial mark-up ... they're mainly targeting people who don't have the initiative to order it directly from Japan themselves.
Thanks, Stephen. I admit I hadn't thought of the Japanese language additions as, in the past, I've usually been asked whether I want to install them. No such message this time. I might check out the HMV Japan site.
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Post by DSD December 8, 2008 (12 of 19)
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Just listened to all 4 SACDs from Exton's Rachmaninov orchestral set today and want to amend my review a little.
I have to say without a doubt these are among the best sounding SACDs I own. They may be multi-mic'ed but in 2 channel stereo they have tons of ambiance, nice analog-type warmth especially in the lower frequencies and a huge soundstage. I listened to the first two discs through speakers and the second two through my Sennheiser headphones as it was after 11PM.
These are DSD recordings and they are better sounding than many Telarc SACDs, and everyone knows how much I love Telarc SACDs. The most exciting Symphonic Dances I've ever heard, ambient, warm and alive not anything like dry though exciting Donald Johaness and The Dallas Symphony reissued by Athena about a decade ago and recommended by all the reviewers.
The Isle of the Dead is so hauntingly beautiful words cannot adequately describe the pleasure. The Caprice Bohemeim is my favorite Rachmaninov composition and this version is very exciting, a beautiful gipsy dance. All the symphonic poems are the best versions I've heard. After many years I'm leaning that way with the symphonies as well.
When I reviewed this for SA-CD.net I didn't give it the highest marks for sound quality (4½ out of 5 stars), this is one of many SACDs that I hear more into than on my previous players the Sony DVP-S9000ES and the Xindak SCD-2. The beauty and warmth I didn't appreciate until I got the Yamaha DVD-S1700 which is the least expensive of the three players! Sound quality and price do not necessarily always agree. With my new player it deserves the full five stars.
In short these are the most important SACDs in my collection, I hold this Rachmaninov set in higher esteem than the Shostakovich Complete Symphonies on Capriccio which I dearly love as well.
At least in 2 channel as played though my Yamaha Universal I can state these are some of the best sounding SACDs yet released. I wouldn't want to be without them! This is a must have and one of the corner stones of my SACD library.
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This is an amazingly good SACD set. Performance is excellent, it's vivid and involving and sound quality is on par with the best sounding discs I have come across.
By the way, I did find it at a local retailer, it seems Exton is distributing this one outside Japan, under the reference OICL-00156, bar code 526977 821562, instead of OVCL-00156 for Japan (don't know its bar code).
This international edition has the advantage to have the liner notes in English, French and German.
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Post by jeff3948 March 1, 2012 (14 of 19)
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I just bought this set from Amazon in the UK and it did not come with a booklet. Is this suppose to have a booklet with it? Does anyone who has puchased this know if their's came with a booklet?
Thanks,
Jeff
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Post by zeus March 1, 2012 (15 of 19)
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jeff3948 said:
I just bought this set from Amazon in the UK and it did not come with a booklet. Is this suppose to have a booklet with it? Does anyone who has puchased this know if their's came with a booklet?
Mine did, but it was mostly Japanese so you're not missing much.
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jeff3948 said:
I just bought this set from Amazon in the UK and it did not come with a booklet. Is this suppose to have a booklet with it? Does anyone who has puchased this know if their's came with a booklet?
Thanks,
Jeff
My copy contains glossy booklet in english.
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Post by Castor March 2, 2012 (17 of 19)
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+1
My copy, bought mail order in the UK, has a glossy 36-page booklet in English, French and German no Japanese.
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Post by jeff3948 March 2, 2012 (18 of 19)
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Thank you zeus, current93, and Castor. Since I got such a great price, I assume that's why it was 66% off, I've decided not to exchange it for a new one. I'll just read one of my other booklets for these works and look up the orchestra on-line. I'm already familiar with the conductor.
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Post by jdaniel March 2, 2012 (19 of 19)
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DSD said:
Just listened to all 4 SACDs from Exton's Rachmaninov orchestral set today and want to amend my review a little.
These are DSD recordings and they are better sounding than many Telarc SACDs, and everyone knows how much I love Telarc SACDs. The most exciting Symphonic Dances I've ever heard, ambient, warm and alive not anything like dry though exciting Donald Johaness and The Dallas Symphony reissued by Athena about a decade ago and recommended by all the reviewers.
The Isle of the Dead is so hauntingly beautiful words cannot adequately describe the pleasure. The Caprice Bohemeim is my favorite Rachmaninov composition and this version is very exciting, a beautiful gipsy dance. All the symphonic poems are the best versions I've heard. After many years I'm leaning that way with the symphonies as well.
In short these are the most important SACDs in my collection, I hold this Rachmaninov set in higher esteem than the Shostakovich Complete Symphonies on Capriccio which I dearly love as well.
Newsflash: the Johaness happens to be the most flaccid of all accounts of the Symphonic Dances, sound notwithstanding. DeWaart was known in SF as the conductor best known for his "tempo di prozac" conducting. His Rachmaninov is more soft-edged than Slatkin's, and that's being kind to Slatkin.
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