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Site review by Castor September 30, 2004
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Performance: Sonics (MC): |
This SACD encapsulates pure joy, both in the music of Chabrier and its performances here.
The recordings taped between March 1957 and November 1959 in three different venues are quite remarkable in their vividness. The clarity of the sound and the attack and energy exhibited by the Detroit Symphony under Paul Paray are truly astounding in these thrilling performances. Though not major works, all the pieces are beautifully crafted and orchestrated (the Bourrée Fantasque is given in the orchestration by Felix Mottl).
The short Suite in F by Roussel makes an excellent, if stylistically different, filler and is equally impressive in both sound and performance.
Listening to this SACD is the aural equivalent of taking a good tonic or a glass of single malt whisky – it makes you feel rejuvenated!
Those already familiar with Mercury Living Presence recordings will need no encouragement to buy this disc as the excellent transfers to SACD (3- channel) have made it sound as never before. For those new to MLP recordings a treat is in store.
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Copyright © 2004 Graham Williams and SA-CD.net
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Review by thepilot October 3, 2004 (3 of 3 found this review helpful)
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Performance: Sonics: |
| The only thing that betrays the recording's age is the slight analog hiss. Apart from that they could have been made yesterday, cause the sound is simply amazing with a wonderful concert hall balance. And the performances glitter with life and joy. Simply enthralling. Thank you Mercury for this special treat.
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Review by Daland September 13, 2004 (2 of 2 found this review helpful)
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Performance: Sonics: |
| A wonderful collection of favourite pieces by Chabrier and Roussel, brilliantly played. The opening Espana rhapsody sets the tone with warm, mellow strings and (French-sounding) horns. The release of this recording in the original 3-channel version is most welcome. The sound is much fuller, rounder and more natural than on the CD version available so far. This is one of the best analog-to-SACD transfers I have heard. The recording engineers deserve the highest praise for their excellent job.
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