[Tyson]

Schubert: String Quintet D.956, Quartettsatz D.703

Tokyo String Quartet
MARTIN BEAVER & KIKUEI IKEDA, VIOLINS
KAZUHIDE ISOMURA, VIOLA
CLIVE GREENSMITH, CELLO
WITH DAVID WATKIN, CELLO

Evaluate your system for string instruments.  This recording includes two cellos.

From the liner notes: "Cellist David Watkin, formerly of the Eroica Quartet, joins the Tokyos in this distinguished reading of Schubert's 'Quintet in C' - the last and perhaps the most haunting of all his chamber works, in which light and shadow, serenity and drama are presented in constant alternation."

HR Audio Review by John Miller:  "This is a powerfully moving performance of the String Quintet in which the Tokyo Quartet and David Watkin dig deep into Schubert's and their own souls. With breathtaking sound, I'm almost certain that this will prove to be my SACD of the year. Please don't miss it; even if you are not normally a fan of chamber music, this performance gives luminous insight into one of humankind's great achievements."

Laurence Vittes, STRINGS:  "… the staggering beauty of the phrasing and seamless unanimity… is sublime."

Nalen Anthoni, Gramophone: "The Tokyo String Quartet with David Watkin promise much as they traverse the slow harmonic progression that opens the first movement, dynamic shifts expertly weighed, SACD recording spaciously lifelike"

Chris Spector, Midwest Record:  "A deep, dramatic reading that’s flawless throughout, this is first class… The high octane pairing of the players and the music was a match made in heaven… Killer stuff."

Tech Specs:

Available as a CD, SACD or download from Native DSD.
Original Recording Format: DSD 64
Catalog # harmonia mundi (HMU907427)
Recording Engineer:  Brad Michel
Venue:  Air Studios, Lyndhust Hall, London, UK
Release Date:  May 3, 2014

Marcus

Very nice.  I can affirm that the DSD recordings of the Tokyo Quartet performing the Beethoven string quartets are also excellent sounding.

[rotarius]

Solid pick Marcus!  What was the second one?

[Desertpilot]

Schubert: String Quintet

Amsterdam Sinfonietta Soloists
Jacobien Rozemond & Candida Thompson, Violins
Daniel Bard, Viola
Kaori Yamagami, Cello
Rick Stotijn, Double Bass

From the liner notes:  "One of the icons of chamber music, Schubert's celebrated String Quintet is heard in an unusual version on this recording. Schubert's work was styled after those of Boccherini and Onslow, which featured two violins, viola and two cellos. After hearing the double bass virtuoso Domenico Dragonetti, Onslow decided to add an alternative bass part to replace the second cello part. Schubert might have done the same if he had heard Dragonetti play, so the Amsterdam Sinfonietta commissioned this Marijn van Prooijen adaptation, and the double bass part is performed here by Rick Stotijn."

Marcus' thoughts:  "I am an admitted Rick Stotijn fan.  His inclusion playing a Double Bass replacing one of the Cellos really gives this music depth."

The Guardian:  "The playing is terrific: tasteful phrasing, gracious ensemble intuition and a string sound that’s luminous and poised."

Audio Review:  "...the instruments blend well, don’t overwhelm the others and have clarity, edge and depth..."

Tech Specs:

Available as CD, SACD and Download (Native DSD), both 2.0 and surround 5.0.
Catalog # Channel Classics (36215)
Original Recording Format: DSD 64
Sound Engineer:  Jared Sacks & Daan van Aalst
Venue:  Stadsgehoorzaal Leiden Holland
Recording Date:  December 1 & 2, 2013
Release Date:  October 23, 2015

Marcus

[Desertpilot]

Very nice.  I can affirm that the DSD recordings of the Tokyo Quartet performing the Beethoven string quartets are also excellent sounding.

Thank you Tyson

[Desertpilot]

Solid pick Marcus!  What was the second one?

Just posted.  Rick Stotijn (Double Bass) and members of the Amsterdam Sinfonietta.

https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=177443.msg1888909#new

Marcus

[rotarius]

Just posted.  Rick Stotijn (Double Bass) and members of the Amsterdam Sinfonietta.

https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=177443.msg1888909#new

Marcus

Thank you.  Just streamed it on Amazon, very enjoyable with the double bass.

[Chewbacca]

I just wanted to stop in and thank everyone for the time and suggestions for my musical requests! The first one I listened to was my favorite so far... The Aeon Trio - Elegy album. I first put this on as some background music to eat dinner to, then after about two songs found myself sitting on the couch (I think I finished dinner?.. Maybe not lol!) and didn't leave until the album was over. It was one of the most beautiful and EXHAUSTING albums I've ever listened to. By exhausting I mean, I was so into it, that afterword's I could hardly stay awake. It took so much out of me - I needed a nap But this is all GREAT praise! It is now, no doubt, one of my favorite albums of all times!

I'm sill going to go through all of the other suggestions - which I have a few down. BUT, if anyone else knows more along the lines of the Aeon Trio... That would be extremely appreciated! I know it's technically classified as jazz... but idk. It's kinda jazz/classical fusion? Maybe? But I do prefer smaller ensembles with different instrunments. Like this album: a piano, cello, and double bass. AMAZING!

Thank you all!

Aeon Trio "Elegy"

[Tyson]

I just wanted to stop in and thank everyone for the time and suggestions for my musical requests! The first one I listened to was my favorite so far... The Aeon Trio - Elegy album. I first put this on as some background music to eat dinner to, then after about two songs found myself sitting on the couch (I think I finished dinner?.. Maybe not lol!) and didn't leave until the album was over. It was one of the most beautiful and EXHAUSTING albums I've ever listened to. By exhausting I mean, I was so into it, that afterword's I could hardly stay awake. It took so much out of me - I needed a nap But this is all GREAT praise! It is now, no doubt, one of my favorite albums of all times!

I'm sill going to go through all of the other suggestions - which I have a few down. BUT, if anyone else knows more along the lines of the Aeon Trio... That would be extremely appreciated! I know it's technically classified as jazz... but idk. It's kinda jazz/classical fusion? Maybe? But I do prefer smaller ensembles with different instrunments. Like this album: a piano, cello, and double bass. AMAZING!

Thank you all!

Check out stuff by Terry Riley, Philip Glass, Steve Reich and John Adams.

[dB Cooper]

I'm sill going to go through all of the other suggestions - which I have a few down. BUT, if anyone else knows more along the lines of the Aeon Trio... That would be extremely appreciated! I know it's technically classified as jazz... but idk. It's kinda jazz/classical fusion? Maybe? But I do prefer smaller ensembles with different instrunments. Like this album: a piano, cello, and double bass. AMAZING!

Thank you all!

Chewbacca, if you liked the Aeon trio, check out these Rolf Lislevand releases (especially 'Nuove Musiche')


   




and the following: Cello and guitar, a husband-and-wife collaboration:


 

[dB Cooper]

As a big believer in digital (no offense to the 'spinners' out there), I'd usually be the last to post something like this in a thread like this, but...


 


For a 1958 recording, this is a helluva piece of work as far as SQ is concerned. Whoever did the original engineering obviously knew what he was doing to get sound like this out of analog equipment. It doesn't say 'remastered' on the artwork anywhere AFAIK (I'm streaming it) but it's gotta be. It may even be Plangent-processed. The dynamics may fall a bit short of what you can get from digital, but when the original is done right (proper miking in particular) you can get results that are quite impressive for a 1958 recording. Especially in terms of dynamics and clarity.

[Chewbacca]

Thanks, Tyson and dB!

I should have some time this weekend, and will absolutely check those suggestions out! Can't wait!

I'll also put that Leonard Bernstein album on my radar when searching the record stores!

[Tyson]

There are also a few groups that specialize in more modern style classical music.  The Kronos Quartet and Brooklyn Rider are 2 groups that do really interesting things.  In fact it was via the Kronos Quartet that I was first exposed to works by Terry Riley and Steve Reich. 

[Desertpilot]

... It is now, no doubt, one of my favorite albums of all times!

Thank you all!

Comments like this one really encourages me to continue!!!  You are most welcome!  Glad you are enjoying the music.  I have more I will post soon.

Marcus

[Desertpilot]

Rota: Nonetto, Martinu: Nonet No. 2, Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 4

Intercontinental Ensemble, In Motu

Evaluate your system for ensemble music.

Marcus' thoughts:  I downloaded this album based on very positive reviews.  It's more than chamber music.  The ensemble has nine performers, four strings and five winds.  This is their second release from TRPTK.  Sonics are superb.  In surround, the rear channels are more aggressively used, so you get that "music in the round" effect.  Track 1 is typical chamber music but then, as it advances to track 2, the music turns drama filled.  The wind instruments play with each other with different melodies, separate and together.  Strings come in giving the music depth.  These 2 tracks set the tone for a wonderful listening experience.  The last set of tracks is the Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 4 orchestrated by the ensemble for their nine member group.  They have done this with a few other symphonies on their first album, Traveling Light.  If you like chamber music, this one is highly recommended.

HR Audio Review by Mark Werlin:  "... the nine-piece ensemble projects clarity of melodic line and bold strokes of instrumental color, and in their divergent idioms, generates movement—the unifying theme of “In Motu” (in motion)."

Alpha Audio:  "Few ensembles make such a varied and surprising musical journey as the ever-moving Intercontinental Ensemble."

Tech Specs:
Available as CD, SACD or download from either Native DSD or TRPTK.
Catalog #TTK0071
Venue: Westvest 90 Church in Schiedam, Netherlands
Recording Date: May 17-19, 2021
Release Date:  September 3, 2021
Recording/Mastering engineer:  Brendon Heinst

Marcus

[noreilly]

Thank you so much for this list, it'll be great to have such a listing to reference.

Regards,

Niall

[Craig B]

This one is not for the traditionalists, but the recording is remarkable. It seems I find that to be true for Naxos standard redbook CDs more often than not. The have an impressive catalog.

[Tyson]

Penderecki - not for the faint of heart!

[bkatbamna]

[Desertpilot]

Rachmaninov: Symphony No. 2 in E minor Op. 27, Vocalise No. 14 Op. 34

Budapest Festival Orchestra
Ivan Fischer (conductor)

Marcus Thoughts:  Ordinarily, I do not highlight older recordings.  This one is from 2004 (gosh, eighteen years ago) and early in DSD performances.  However, I must offer to you a superb recording of Rachmaninov: Symphony No. 2 in E minor Op. 27.  This recording is highly praised both for performance and sonics.  I own the surround version in DSD 64.  The album continues to outshine even newer performances and I agree wholeheartedly.  Highly recommended.

David Hurwitz, Classics today:  "Fischer turns in what is unquestionably the finest version of the Rachmaninov Second Symphony to come along in years.  ...I can’t recommend this performance highly enough: everything about it is excellent, and it merits the enthusiastic attention of anyone who cares about top quality music-making presented in state-of-the-art sound."

Gramophone:  "Ivan Fischer and his magnificent Budapest Orchestra have made a Rachmaninov Second for our time staggeringly played and recorded."

Tech Specs:

Original Recording Format: DSD 64
Available in Stereo or Surround, SACD, CD, Download.
Catalog: Channel Classics 21604
Recording/Mixing/Mastering Engineers:  Hein Dekker, Jared Sacks
Venue:  Italian Institute, Budapest Hungary
Recording Date:  October 2003
Release Date:  2004

Marcus

[S Clark]

"Ordinarily, I do not highlight older recordings."
Wow.  Of my multi thousand vinyl collection, very few are later than  the 2003 date you call "an older recording".   
I guess you are digital only, and I'm nearly all analogue.  Different universes.