Post by Arnaldo April 1, 2012 (11 of 23)
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rammiepie said:
Crotchet Records is currently charging $26 US for the 4~disc Gieseking SACD Debussy set until April 30th...along with the other EMI Signature SACD series at similar pricing. The Mono origins is not a factor but upon hearing the samples on Amazon US of the existing RBCD set, the background noise is VERY distracting and as Claude surmised the "effect" of the new transfer will be a factor. Am anxiously awaiting a review.
I really don't believe that Claude Debussy had a preponderance of background noise and distant miking in mind when these pieces were composed......'historical' as they might be.
In terms of SQ and performance, a good starting point for Debussy's piano music on SACD is Impressions - Momo Kodama, at least as far as the stereo layer is concerned. But I'd definitely avoid Debussy - Philippe Bianconi with a claustrophobic soundstage, while Debussy: 12 Etudes - Jean-Efflam Bavouzet is an otherwise decent 44.1/16 recording disguised in SACD camouflage.
Stretching the options to RBCDs, Michelangeli's Images and Children's Corners is exquisite, as are Uchida's Etudes, Zimerman's Preludes and Kocsis' Pour Le Piano. But I'd stay clear of Pollini's disturbing grunting in the Etudes and L'isle Joyeuse.
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Post by Claude April 1, 2012 (12 of 23)
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Arnaldo said:
Stretching the options to RBCDs, Michelangeli's Images and Children's Corners is exquisite, as are Uchida's Etudes, Zimerman's Preludes and Kocsis' Pour Le Piano.
I think all of these are in the upcoming Debussy Edition by Deutsche Grammophon, which includes Philips and Decca material. 18CDs for £45
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Post by jazz1 April 1, 2012 (13 of 23)
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Claude said:
These are of course historical recordings in a technological sense: Mono, very limited dynamics and frequency extension, background noise. The effect of the new transfer is more relevant than the benefits of hi-rez.
In terms of "investment", I think these EMI UK SACDs will be worth more than the current price once they are OOP.
I have the "Preludes" cd and the music is just marvellous, sure it is mono but very acceptable. Thus 4 remastered sacd's with a very nice packaging is not even
a question, I've placed my order.
If you live outside the UK or Europe the 20% VAT is deducted.
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jazz1 said:
If you live outside the UK or Europe the 20% VAT is deducted.
That brings it down to less than GBP 5 per disc... Can that even cover the production costs?
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Polarius T said:
That brings it down to less than GBP 5 per disc... Can that even cover the production costs?
If a small company like Cambria Records can produce a lavish 11 SACD mch set (Peter Takacs' Beethoven Sonatas) for US $76 with a hardcover 144 page booklet, then I suppose it won't be much of a stretch for EMI to do the same. And let's be aware that these Beethoven Sonatas were newly recorded pure DSD recordings and NOT reissues (of reissues).
That comes out to roughly $6.91 per SACD!
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rammiepie said:
If a small company like Cambria Records can produce a lavish 11 SACD mch set (Peter Takacs' Beethoven Sonatas) for US $76 with a hardcover 144 page booklet, then I suppose it won't be much of a stretch for EMI to do the same. And let's be aware that these Beethoven Sonatas were newly recorded pure DSD recordings and NOT reissues (of reissues).
That comes out to roughly $6.91 per SACD!
The Takacs Beethoven was the best discovery of the last few months. A brilliant box, sound, interpretation and make up of box.
I have ordered the Gieseking box now as well, I am curious about the remaster.
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arnaoutchot said:
The Takacs Beethoven was the best discovery of the last few months. A brilliant box, sound, interpretation and make up of box.
I have ordered the Gieseking box now as well, I am curious about the remaster.
I will be anxious to learn of your first impressions of the Gieseking SACD set, arnaoutchot.
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Post by jazz1 April 5, 2012 (18 of 23)
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rammiepie said:
I will be anxious to learn of your first impressions of the Gieseking SACD set,
I also ordered the Gieseking set but yesterday I was listening to the Paul Jacobs double cd's on Nonesuch of the "Preludes" and WoWW it is magic, the Bosendorfer sounds great, and Paul Jacobs interpretation is faultless. I doubt very much that the Gieseking could come even close.
But I love Debussy and a few alternate versions won't hurt.
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jazz1 said:
I also ordered the Gieseking set but yesterday I was listening to the Paul Jacobs double cd's on Nonesuch of the "Preludes" and WoWW it is magic, the Bosendorfer sounds great, and Paul Jacobs interpretation is faultless. I doubt very much that the Gieseking could come even close.
But I love Debussy and a few alternate versions won't hurt.
I suspect you'll be returning to your highly prized rbcds of the preludes, etc, in terms of SQ when you hear these early 50's mono SACDs!
I don't like stale ice with my cocktails!
But hopefully they'll refresh these 'chestnuts' with sizzlin' hot coals........Gieseking in HiFi
High Five.........
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I have the RBCD Gieseking EMI-Icon box set already with two CDs of Debussy, including the Preludes and some smaller scale works. The biggest part of the recordings is from 1953 and 1954. The sound quality of the 1995 remasters is decent, the grand piano has volume and dynamic and treble is clear and not distorted, if only a bit muffled. In the 90's EMI used too much noise reduction to inhibit hiss, which obviously had an effect on treble. If I could ask a wish for the new remastering I would tolerate to have more hiss, but less compressed treble. A good balance in this regard was achieved in the 2003 remaster of the Casals Bach Cello Suites. Maybe it would also be possible to bring Gieseking's piano a bit to the forefront, it is a bit distant for my taste (but I love direct and dry recordings, I must admit). But in general the 1995 remasters even for critical ears are good to listen to. If they do not mess these recordings up substantially, we can be content. Main reason for buying besides remastering for me was the complete edition.
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