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I recently purchased this ... my first of the new Universal direct DSD conversions.
I was thinking of doing a review but I haven't listened for a few weeks (on-going chaos due to re-painting ) ... so just a few quick comments instead ...
From recollection ... a really wonderful performance (but then this was known).
As for sonics, on the one hand, I recall that they were very very good, when they were good. On the other hand, Mr Pollini fully expresses the dynamic range of the piano ... and the ff passages are VERY loud ... which is relevant because they distort ... or come across as distorted ... presumably from the original ... and the SACD reproduces this rather too clearly. I suspect the problem is with the original recording: if they had only set the levels down a bit, presumably the problem would not be there today.
Maybe more thoughts later ...
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Post by Arthur July 11, 2012 (52 of 53)
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DSD said:
Chris I loved buying Universal USA and European SACDs at the old Tower Records with their frequent 25% off sales, at $12.74 for single-layer SACDs and $14.24 for hybrid SACDs. Universal Japan SACDs have la-la land prices, just like most Japanese music products.
You DID notice that Tower Records went out of business?! Perhaps there's a connection...
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Post by Chris July 13, 2012 (53 of 53)
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canonical said:
I recently purchased this ... my first of the new Universal direct DSD conversions.
I was thinking of doing a review but I haven't listened for a few weeks (on-going chaos due to re-painting ) ... so just a few quick comments instead ...
From recollection ... a really wonderful performance (but then this was known).
As for sonics, on the one hand, I recall that they were very very good, when they were good. On the other hand, Mr Pollini fully expresses the dynamic range of the piano ... and the ff passages are VERY loud ... which is relevant because they distort ... or come across as distorted ... presumably from the original ... and the SACD reproduces this rather too clearly. I suspect the problem is with the original recording: if they had only set the levels down a bit, presumably the problem would not be there today.
Maybe more thoughts later ...
I have the LP and agree with you, great playing but not quite as great a recording IMO.
If you want both great playing and STATE OF THE ART sound quality, Beethoven's mighty Opus 111 can be heard in a stunningly realistic recording done by Morten Lindberg of 2L. "Mirror Canon" is simply one of the best recordings of a grand piano I have ever heard, and I have heard many.
Unfortunately the pianist is not a big name,but very able nevertheless, and therefore this wonderful recording is easily overlooked.
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