Best PIANO recording I have ever heard

John Casler · « **on:** 30 Sep 2006, 08:20 pm »

I seldom seriously listen to piano recordings anymore because (to be frank) they suck for image presentation.

The Piano just sounds like it is as big as the whole room.

Well this one is different. It sounds like you are seated in the 1st or 2nd row of a "risered" seating center stage performance.

And what a performance it is!

I received this along with the Janaki String Trio CD shown on their website, from a local recording studio at one of the LAOCAS meetings and thought I would listen to it (since it was a gift) but not expect too much.

From now on, it will be my demo Recording for clients who wish to hear piano.

Here is the site for this and the Janaki String Trio is also "beyond" audiophile quality and standards, in every area.

http://www.yarlungrecords.com/

TIC · « **Reply #1 on:** 1 Oct 2006, 02:30 pm »

Ordered both of the ones you mentioned today. I'll let you know if I like them too.....

Enjoy,

TIC

tex-amp · « **Reply #2 on:** 11 Oct 2006, 05:40 pm »

You've cause enough of a spike in sales that the record label sent me an e-mail asking how I heard of the disc. As they have had a recent spike in sales and are curious as to why.

Zero · « **Reply #3 on:** 11 Oct 2006, 05:51 pm »

I got both recommended discs and found the music and recordings to be excellent! Thanks for the recommendation!

John Casler · « **Reply #4 on:** 12 Oct 2006, 01:00 am »

Glad some of you enjoyed it (them).

I am not affiliated with them in any way, but they seem like a small company, and it "IS" tough to find a good PIANO recording that doesn't destroy the sonics and make it sound "unrealistic"

Tabascosauce · « **Reply #5 on:** 12 Oct 2006, 08:00 am »

I see that these were mastered by Steve Hoffman.

Steve's work is of the very highest standards, IMHO.

Captain Humble · « **Reply #6 on:** 12 Oct 2006, 01:05 pm »

I just ordered John's recommendations.
Can't wait to give them a spin.

John, my best three piano recordings are Windham Hill CDs by George Winston:
Autum
December
Linus & Lucy

Do you have any of these, and if so how do they compare?

Thanks,
Jeff

BobM · « **Reply #7 on:** 12 Oct 2006, 01:07 pm »

It's very strange ... being a piano player myself, I have always looked for recordings that portray the perspective that I hear when playing. From the keyboard. This to me has the piano stretching across the soundstage, bass on the left and tinkly notes on the right. It just sounds "right" to me, even though it makes the piano 10 feet wide (well, it almost is that wide anyway).

I don't like the audience perspective where the piano seems distant, on a stage with the lid up. It just sounds non-engaging to me and rolled off usually.

Not saying which is "correct", just giving you my perspective.

Which way does this recording portray the piano?

Enjoy,
Bob

TIC · « **Reply #8 on:** 12 Oct 2006, 04:57 pm »

I received both of the recommended recordings and they are both OUTSTANDING! Too bad everyone doen't record their music in this fashion.

These are both very natural sounding recordings. The perspective is from basically front row at musician height. So, on the piano, the piano doesn't sound as wide as the room, but it does have a proper width perspective IMHO.

BTW, after I ordered, I received an e-mail from the recording engineer Bob Attiyeh asking for feedback. I gave him a resounding "Well done"!

Enjoy,

TIC

Eugene2 · « **Reply #9 on:** 12 Oct 2006, 08:30 pm »

Not the best ever but very good. Recorded with a DAT sitting on a table. Victor Jones "CAFE Trio" with David Kikowski on piano. If you like jazz piano you will love this one.

John Casler · « **Reply #10 on:** 12 Oct 2006, 11:11 pm »

Quote from: Captain Humble on 12 Oct 2006, 01:05 pm

I just ordered John's recommendations.
Can't wait to give them a spin.

John, my best three piano recordings are Windham Hill CDs by George Winston:
Autum
December
Linus & Lucy

Do you have any of these, and if so how do they compare?

Thanks,
Jeff

Hi Jeff,

No I don't have the George Winston, but do let us know how they compare when your CD arrives.

Daygloworange · « **Reply #11 on:** 12 Oct 2006, 11:43 pm »

Even though it's one of the most recorded solo instruments ever, it probably has the most instances of being poorly recorded, second would probably have to be drums.

S Clark · « **Reply #12 on:** 13 Oct 2006, 12:32 am »

Duetche Grammaphon with Sviatislav Richter playing the Rachmaninoff 2nd Concerto and a group of preludes. Won the Grande Prix award in the '60s. Excellent recording with virtuosity that even Horowitz could only dream of.

sleepysurf · « **Reply #13 on:** 15 Oct 2006, 02:42 am »

Just got the David Fung and Janaki String Trio recordings, and they are indeed SUPERBLY recorded. The Janaki String Trio sounds very similar to the Kronos Quartet, with similar stellar performances of (mostly) little known works. Thanks for the heads up.