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:
   bsmith4@optonline.net
Web:
  
Posts:
   288
 
 
Reviews
Found: 17 show all
Dvorak, Szymanowski: Violin Concertos - Steinbacher, Janowski        (6 of 14 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      (9 of 13 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 17 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 10 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      (11 of 14 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
Discussion: Mozart: Symphonies Nos. 14, 18, 20, 39 & 41 - Levine
July 25, 2010
Diw, I can only echo your enthusiasm. My copy arrived Friday after two business days. I've only had a chance to play 39 and 41 thus far, but they are wonderful. Both performances and sound are completely satisfying. Keep them coming, BSO. ... more
Discussion: Walton: The Symphonies - Owain Arwel Hughes
July 25, 2010
I've listened to this SACD twice now and compared it to versions by Previn, Slatkin, and Ashkenazy. I won't be listening to it again. The lack of body in the lower strings, alluded to in Geo's review, IMHO is absolutely ruinous. I don't know if the problem is that half the cellos and bases were on vacation that day, the venue acoustics are ... more
Discussion: Bruckner: Symphony No. 4 - Nagano
July 24, 2010
This is the original version of the Romantic. It's like Bruckner's 4th version 4a. Completely different third movement, radically different finale, lots of changes in the first two movements. I like this version, but ... not nearly as much as the subsequent versions. ... more
Discussion: Dukas, Ravel, Koechlin - Albrecht
July 23, 2010
Hi Tom, Before I wrote my comment, I checked the back of the SACD and it stated Maarse as the executive producer. Rechecking, I see that Knop and Nehls, names unfamiliar to me, are listed as balance engineer and recording producer. I don't have the Strauss disc, so I assumed that they were also part of Polyhymnia. Maybe they've changed their ... more
Discussion: Dukas, Ravel, Koechlin - Albrecht
July 23, 2010
It was recorded by the usual PentaTone team - Maarse etc. I think they are Polyhynmia. In any event, this recording is wonderful - no nonsense with the center channel or any other channel. I eagerly await their Korngold Symphony. ... more