What's your favorite recording of Holst: The Planets?

PhilNYC · « **Reply #20 on:** 10 Nov 2004, 05:10 pm »

Quote from: Double Ugly

I've never heard a "Extended Resolution" CD. I believe the nomenclature is self-explanatory, but does the difference justify the premium price tag? What should I realistically expect to get from an XRCD that I wouldn't from a "standard" CD or hybrid SACD?

Thanks.

-Jim

An XRCD is, at the end of the day, still just a regular redbook (16/44) audio CD. But they use a unique mastering/manufacturing process that theoretically reduces/eliminates jitter introduced in the manufacturing process (by using the mastering master clock in the manufacturing). Quite honestly, I think it's some combination of JVC's mastering engineers doing a superior job than most combined with the reduction of jitter on the disc. For the most part, I have always preferred the sound of XRCD versions of a recording over non-XRCD audio CDs (SACDs included)...

FWIW, they are more expensive than regular CDs because (1) the manufacturing process requires some proprietary equipment and can't press/burn CDs at the same rate/quantity that regular industry CD manufacturers can, (2) the packaging is more expensive.

brj · « **Reply #21 on:** 10 Nov 2004, 05:17 pm »

So what is the difference between XRCD and HDCD? Both use a 20 bit mastering process, if I recall correctly...

PhilNYC · « **Reply #22 on:** 10 Nov 2004, 05:18 pm »

Quote from: brj

So what is the difference between XRCD and HDCD? Both use a 20 bit mastering process, if I recall correctly...

HDCD requires a proprietary decoder. XRCD is standard red book. Also, I don't believe that HDCD does anything special with the manufacturing process.

brj · « **Reply #23 on:** 10 Nov 2004, 05:41 pm »

Ok, Phil, give someone else a chance to answer all of my questions today!

Seriously though, thanks for the responses!

(Catch 22: I need to quit my job so I have time to learn about all of this stuff, but then I wouldn't be able to afford any of it!

)

Quote from: PhilNYC

Quote from: brj
So what is the difference between XRCD and HDCD? Both use a 20 bit mastering process, if I recall correctly...

HDCD requires a proprietary decoder. XRCD is standard red book. Also, I don't believe that HDCD does anything special with the manufacturing process.

Ok, so XRCD carries the 20 bit data through processing, but ends up back at 16 bits when it dumps the data to disk, per the explanation on the XRCD website.

HDCD puts more data on the disk (20 bit vs. Redbook 16 bit), but doesn't seem to guarantee anything about how the signal is handled prior to pressing, as explained in the HDCD FAQs.

Now if only we could combine the two...

jeffreybehr · « **Reply #24 on:** 10 Nov 2004, 05:47 pm »

Previn's 'Planets' with the LSO (BTW, Boult's latest and preferred version is with the LPO) for EMI is horrible IMO. The performance is absolutely nothing special and in fact I really don't like it, and the recording is highly spotlited and knobtwiddled, 2 things EMI didn't do often to its classical recordings*. I've owned dozens of Planets over the years including Previn's on LP and simply forgot how bad it was until I spent $27 (!!!!!!!!!!) for the DVD-A. I listen to the opening 2 minutes or so of the 6th movement, Uranus, to quickly determine if the recording is worth more of my time. You hear all the foibles of his performance and the worst EMI classical recording I've ever heard in that. Anyone want this DVD-A for, say, $15 delivered in the 48?

(Of course, only those who already know they love this version need apply.)

Another reason I love Boult's is that he divides the 1st and 2nd violins, and doesn't play it too fast, so that the opening of Jupiter (4th movement) isn't just a jumble of fiddling from the near-left that it is from other conductors and recordings. Most other conductors take this too fast, and it sounds frantic to me.

* The producer was Christopher Bishop and the engineer Christopher Parker, a pair that almost always turned out GREAT- and natural-sounding recordings. My wife and I both usually loved this pair's works; Previn's Planets is NOT typical of their output.

PhilNYC · « **Reply #25 on:** 10 Nov 2004, 06:36 pm »

Quote from: brj

Ok, Phil, give someone else a chance to answer all of my questions today! Seriously though, thanks for the responses!

Sorry...I was on a roll...

Marbles · « **Reply #26 on:** 10 Nov 2004, 10:28 pm »

My copy is TELARC

Yoel Levi - Atlanta Symphony Orchestra

CD-80466
80466-DTS

Surround Sound
DTS

Recorded '97
Dated '98
20 bit digital

SWG255 · « **Reply #27 on:** 11 Nov 2004, 01:25 am »

I think you've chosen a great piece of music to seriously explore the wonders and foibles of classical symphonic music. You'll have the different conductors, orchestras, record labels and recording engineers and producers to compare. It won't surprise me if you wonder if you're really comparing the same piece of music as you listen to the differences between one or another of the recordings you've purchased.

I hope you enjoy the experience and will come back looking for some more "classical" music to listen to.

BTW, I too remember the Andre Previn performance as being rather idiosyncratic and not to my taste. This LP was all the rave in the early days of TAS, and on much of the equipment of the day it was a real stunner sonically. I just never felt it was worth keeping because the performance was not up to the sonic standards. On more modern equipment it might indeed sound too close and tampered with, I haven't heard the recording in almost 20 years.

Sir Adrian Boult on the other hand is one of the 20th century's most over-looked conductors. He is often praised for his interpretations of music by English composers, but he is equally gifted with Beethoven and some Russian composers. Do a search in the Audio Asylum's general music forum on him for an interesting discussion, including a post from someone who claimed to have performed under his baton.

Double Ugly · « **Reply #28 on:** 11 Nov 2004, 02:03 am »

Quote from: SWG255

I think you've chosen a great piece of music to seriously explore the wonders and foibles of classical symphonic music. You'll have the different conductors, orchestras, record labels and recording engineers and producers to compare. It won't surprise me if you wonder if you're really comparing the same piece of music as you listen to the differences between one or another of the recordings you've purchased.

I hope you enjoy the experience and will come back looking for some more "classical" music to lisen to.

Wow...thanks SWG. I appreciate your comments.

-Jim

Marbles · « **Reply #29 on:** 13 Nov 2004, 05:40 am »

A month ago I came upon a guy selling 50,000 LP's. If I bought at least 20, he would sell them to me at $.20 each.

I ended up buying over 200. I set them up against a wall in the back of my room as I had a friend build me more storage boxes. The boxes came in this afternoon. While I was putting the LP's away I noticed a Holst: The Planets. I'm not sure why I bought this as I don't normally buy clasical music.

I put it on tonight and was floored.

It is Leopold Stokowski and the Los Angeles Philharmonic and Roger Wagner Chorale.

I can't find any dates to know when it was recorded or distributed.

It is on Seraphim records (subsidiary of Capitol) S-60175

While cleaning it, it slipped and I put some scratches on it

Hate when that happens.

Anyway if you can find this one, it blows my DTS one away for enjoyment.

Double Ugly · « **Reply #30 on:** 13 Nov 2004, 09:15 am »

Thanks for the info, Rob.

I have every intention of putting together a nice vinyl rig after I retire and find my (hopefully) last job and home, but it simply isn't practical right now. But this may be of interest to you and others who already have the vinyl side covered.

Unfortunately neither approaches the price you paid, but they may be in better shape.

Good luck with the scratches. If they're bad enough, maybe MusicStack is an option worth considering.

DU

Marbles · « **Reply #31 on:** 13 Nov 2004, 03:21 pm »

DU, thanks for the info. I had not heard about MusicStack before. Looks like a great resource.

Thanks again.

John Casler · « **Reply #32 on:** 13 Nov 2004, 04:17 pm »

Hi Jim,

Since your just exploring Symphonic Classical, you might also find "Pictures at an Exhibition" by Mussoursky (sp) another good "opener".

And if you like that sound, you can get "Night on Bald Mountain" (which was used in Disney's Fantasia.

With those SPs you will probably like "LARGER" and more Dynamic Works.

Many also find the "1812 Overture" quite moving.

Double Ugly · « **Reply #33 on:** 13 Nov 2004, 04:58 pm »

Quote from: Marbles

DU, thanks for the info. I had not heard about MusicStack before. Looks like a great resource.

Thanks again.

You're more than welcome, Marbles. I hope you find it useful.

Please let me know if you decide to replace your scratched version with one of the two for sale. I'd be interested in knowing if the transaction goes smoothly, and how closely the quality of the product you receive resembles the description.

Quote from: John Casler

Since your just exploring Symphonic Classical...

Hi John,

Thanks for the suggestions. Kandy has always loved classical and has a small collection, so I’ll check to see if she already has any of them. If not, I'll definitely check them out with her. I know she loves Fantasia...may even have the soundtrack.

Should I look for any particular make or model (so to speak) of those recordings? I know the 1812 Overture has been done to death, and I wouldn't know where to start. Do you have a favorite version?

BTW, I picked-up Round About a Midsummer's Dream by Gianluigi Trovesi after hearing it through Julian's RM/Xs. Talk about amazing...wow.

The combination of the RM/Xs, Julian's listening room and the quality of the recording easily made for the most "live" experience I've ever had this side of a concert hall. And I agree with Julian's assertion that it's one of best recordings ever made. It's certainly the best I've ever heard.

Thanks again, John.

DU

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #34 on:** 14 Nov 2004, 05:54 am »

Excellent "Pictures".....

[/list:u]

RCA Living Stereo has many excellent selections....and recent SACD releases.... http://www.livingstereo-sacd.com/index.jsp[/list:u]

As for "1812"....real cannons...

[/list:u]

Double Ugly · « **Reply #35 on:** 14 Nov 2004, 12:07 pm »

Muchos gracious, señor Wolfy.

DU

Eric · « **Reply #36 on:** 17 Nov 2004, 08:24 pm »

I purchased the XRDC24 version this past week. The sonics are wonderful. I highly recommend it

John Casler · « **Reply #37 on:** 17 Nov 2004, 09:56 pm »

Quote from: Double Ugly

Hi John,

Thanks for the suggestions. Kandy has always loved classical and has a small collection, so I’ll check to see if she already has any of them. If not, I'll definitely check them out with her. I know she loves Fantasia...may even have the soundtrack.

Should I look for any particular make or model (so to speak) of those recordings? I know the 1812 Overture has been done to death, and I wouldn't know where to start. Do you have a favorite version?

Personally I prefer an Arthur Fieldler version on Duetsch Grammaphone which is out of print. It is not as detailed and the massed strings sometimes smear, but the emotion is some of the best and the actual soundstage and recording sound very realistic.

Sorry Jim,

I think I must miss a lot of responses, since I don't get e-mail notices when someone responds to a post. (something to do with Verizon) This means I have to "check" every thread, every time I log in or I miss things.

While I think the Cannon Bursts are "overdone" you could try the Telarc version of the 1812 Overture.

[url]http://www.telarc.com/sacd/title.asp?sku=SACD-60541

Double Ugly · « **Reply #38 on:** 17 Nov 2004, 11:18 pm »

Thanks, John. Much appreciated.

DU

Tyson · « **Reply #39 on:** 17 Nov 2004, 11:47 pm »

The cannon blasts on John's rec are over the top insane. You had better have some serious woofage to pull it off. If you don't, then listening to it too loud will blow your woofers.