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:
   250
 
 
Reviews
Found: 17 show all
Dvorak, Szymanowski: Violin Concertos - Steinbacher, Janowski        (6 of 13 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      (8 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      (12 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      (10 of 12 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: Bruckner: Symphony No. 9 - Bosch
February 17, 2010
After living with this recording for over two years and having played it many times, my opinions really haven't changed. First movement: fast, but not too fast - it works for me. Second movement: Normal tempos. Third movement: too fast - much of the beauty of the music is lost. Last movement: nothing to compare it to, but tempos seem to work ... more
PENTATONE THREAD
January 15, 2010
Yes indeed - these are just about the finest piano recording I have ever heard and brilliant performances besides. However, on a the more general PentaTone topic: I believe it is impossible to generalize on a a "typical" PentaTone sound. The sound signature - perhaps call it ambiance - is very much dependent on the recording venue. Orchestral ... more
Discussion: Barber, Bernstein, Bloch - Gluzman, Neschling
January 14, 2010
I couldn't agree more. Not only are the performances top-notch, but the sound is up to BIS's usual standards - as good,on average, as any in the business, including PentaTone and Channel. ... more
SACD vs. CD (my conclusion/opinions after a week long test)
January 3, 2010
Dear Urbo, Although I agree with your almost all your conclusions and methodology, I haven't entered this thread because I believe I could spend my time more profitably taking a nap or, better yet, listening to some music, preferably on SACDs. However, since with think basically alike, it might be worthwhile to have some correspondence. I can ... more
BIS thread
January 3, 2010
Me too! It sounds irresistible. ... more