User Details - fafnir

recommendations


Name:
  Brian Smith
Details:
  Fully retired communications engineer/manager specialized in systems for tranportation industry - fiber optic, SCADA, PA, etc. Life-long interest in all aspects of classical music. Used to design and build audio gear - preamps, amps, electronic crossovers as a hobby.
Location:
  South Huntington, New York
HiFi:
  Three front speakers: Boston Acoustics VR2
Side speakers: Boston Acoustics CR77
Rear Speakers: Acoustic Research AR4ax
Subwoofer: Polk 505
SACD Player: Oppo 980H
Receiver: Harmon/Kardon AVR 525
Digital Signal Processor: Lexicon CP-1
Speaker cables - 16 AWG zip cord
Interconnect cables: As supplied by manufacturer of the electronics.
Email:
  smith.brianm@gmail.com
Web:
 
Posts:
  295

 
 
Reviews
Found: 17 show all

Dvorak, Szymanowski: Violin Concertos - Steinbacher, Janowski          (7 of 12 found this review helpful)
  November 20, 2009

I was in the process of preparing a review of this when I opened Classics Today and saw Hurwitz's very critical evaluation. "Well, it's not just me," was the thought that came to mind. I had managed to sit through almost three hearings of the Dvorak - halfway through the finale was all I could stand ... more
Bruckner: Symphony No. 8 - Young        (10 of 11 found this review helpful)
  September 2, 2009

If I never had heard the Bruckner 8 but listened for the first time to the two main versions of the score, the original and the Novak, not knowing which was which, I would conclude that the original was the revised and improved version and the Nowak was the original draft. That, of course, is not ... more
Mahler: Symphony No. 9 - Gilbert        (11 of 13 found this review helpful)
  August 30, 2009

The thing that will probably strike you the most when playing this disc for the first time is its amazing clarity. I have never heard a recording of the this score that revealed as much detail, whether in the cataclysmic outbursts in first movement, in the many moments of chamber music intimacy, or ... more
Bruckner: Symphony No. 7 - Haitink        (3 of 9 found this review helpful)
  February 13, 2008

I agree with PN's review wrt the performance. It is indeed very fine with a great performance from the orchestra. However, I must disagree concerning the sound quality. It is quite lacking in low bass, thereby removing the depth and richness that are required in this work. After listening, I thought ... more
Bruckner: Symphony No. 9 - Bosch        (12 of 13 found this review helpful)
  November 19, 2007

This recording is distinguished from almost all other recordings of the Ninth by the inclusion of a performing version of the Finale by a team of Samale,Phillips, Cohrs, and Mazzuca as further revised by Cohrs and Samale. The legitimacy of this, or any other, performing version of the last movement ... more

 
 
Latest Posts

BIS thread
October 3, 2014
This is great news - I can't wait ... more
Discussion: Berio: Sinfonia, Calmo, Quattro versioni originali della "Ritirata notturna di Madrid" - Lintu
September 30, 2014
Yes, the Foster contains the three suites plus the two RR. I haven't heard it. The Lintu symphony discs don't duplicate any of these. but contain other interesting music. This is quite far off topic. If you want to contact me, you can use my email, which is included in my profile. ... more
Discussion: Berio: Sinfonia, Calmo, Quattro versioni originali della "Ritirata notturna di Madrid" - Lintu
September 30, 2014
I have the Rozhdestvensky, Foster, and Lintu recordings of symphonies 2 and 3 and the Rozh... and Foster of 1 (Lintu's version of 1 is due out next year, I think). IMHO Luntu is an easy winner for 2 and 3 for both sound and performance. If you enjoy this music, I wouldn't hesitate, SACD or not. ... more
Discussion: Russian Cello Sonatas - Chaushian, Sudbin
February 27, 2011
I don't know about MDT, but Arkiv shows it, and that is where I bought it. ... more
Discussion: Russian Cello Sonatas - Chaushian, Sudbin
February 27, 2011
I bought it from Arkiv. It arrived with the new Stravinsky - this recording is simply superlative in every way. ... more