[Phil_S]

I recently stumbled across a lable I didn't recognize, BIS, from Sweden. It's a DMM (Direct Metal Mastering) of two Mozart piano concerti #21 in C major & one in E flat, K364.

The liner notes include some very detailed recording information that suprised the hell out of me. Usually there's no information at all. This is what they used:

Date: April 8-9 1982
Location: Concert Hall, Stockholm
Recording Engineer & Producer: Robert von Bahr
Tape Recorder: Revox A-77 @ 15 ips
Tape: AGFA 468
No Dolby
Mikes: 3 Neumann U-89, & 2 Sennheiser MKH
Mixer: SAM 82
Mastering & Pressing: TELDEK, W Germany

In addition thy also listed three of the instruments:

Piano: Steinway D
Violin: Joannes Baptista Guadagnini, Taurini 1778
Bow: Sartory, Paris
Viola: Anders Sparf, Lidingo 1079
Bow: Cello Bow Voirin, Paris

I have NEVER seen such detail, but am very glad to see it. Doesn't change my opinion of the recording or performance but it's nice to have none the less.

The recording itself is on 150g black vinyl. Record is flat & surface is clean w/no marks (99% of my collection is purchased used). Backgrounds are very quiet with no discernable tape hiss. Dynamics & balance are excellent, the musicions are in the house. I really enjoy this performance.

Just needed to share.

[S Clark]

BIS recording are usually very nice, and the DMM was solid innovation just as vinyl was withering in response to cd's.  DMM cutting lathes cut to copper instead of a softer matrix, allowed one less step in the stamping process, and significantly reduced  noise. Almost all of them have been scrapped by now. 

More on DMM here    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Direct_Metal_Mastering