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Site review by Polly Nomial January 28, 2006
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Performance: Sonics (S/MC): / |
This is quite simply one of the most captivating and enjoyable discs I have ever had the pleasure of hearing. The sound is quite simply fantastic for its age and so well balanced that you could be forgiven that the 3-channel was almost genuine MCH such is the fidelity and detail obtained.
Most of the tracks are folk-based arrangements for the orchestra (there are two "proper" classical arrangements) and all are played with sheer joie-de-vivre and complete virtuosity. It would be completely unfair to single out a particular track or two for special mention but I will it do it anyway! The track Midnight In Moscow has a shimmering undercurrent of balaika's and a beautiful melody floats on top - simply wonderful. Fittingly, what is for me the finest track of all, Waltz of the Faun was composed by Andreyev who founded the first Russian folk instrument orchestra (and in whose honour the Osipov State Russian Folk Orchestra was founded) - a kind of Strauss family on holiday - and one just has to hear the virtuosity on display here; it is simply unbelievable.
All in all, possibly the best record that Mercury ever made.
PS - my drum & bass loving brother, listened in complete silence, totally hooked and then immediately went home and ordered his own copy! I hope that persuades some people who wouldn't normally try this sort of repertoire to give it a whirl - you surely won't regret the small outlay.
[I know that I shouldn't really award 4 stars for a recording that is over 40 years old but the sense of realism is such that I can't avoid doing so...]
(Purchased)
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Copyright © 2006 John Broggio and SA-CD.net
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Review by Ivymike August 13, 2005 (4 of 4 found this review helpful)
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Performance: Sonics (MC): |
I was lucky enough to find an original LP of this famous Mercury in decent shape years ago, and the sound was very good indeed. The CD from the 1990's was a delight, as is this SACD.
The sound is classic Mercury three-channel. The sense of the instruments being there in the hall before you is very striking. There is also a very distinct sense of hall depth, with instruments clearly at different distances. The whole stereo image is quite convincing and a little disconcerting with one's eyes closed.
Tape hiss is very low in level, as it should be given the very wide tracks on 35 millimeter mag film, the original recording medium. One comment I want to make is that the Mercury 35 mm transfers have a distinctive sound that is different from their half-inch three-tracks: more clinical, less warm. All details are thrown into sharp relief. Given the tendency for Mercurys to already be rather up-front this may not always sound pleasant to all ears. 35 mm recorders use a different record/playback EQ than tape; I suspect that this is most of the difference.
The music is quite fun but probably best taken in small doses, say as an intro or "overture" to an evening's listening. Great stuff.
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