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Reviews: Schumann, Dvorak: Piano Concertos - Paolo Giacometti

Reviews: 5

Review by Chris February 8, 2004 (1 of 1 found this review helpful)
Performance:   Sonics:
I bought this SACD primarily for the Dvorak concerto which I haven´t got on LP.But was initially very disappointed by the Schumann concerto which comes first on this SACD. Compared to my two old references on LP, Julius Catchen on Decca and Geza Anda on DGG, Paulo Giacometti simply doesn´t reach anywhere near either of the two oldtimers IMO.Ok, he has got the advantage of perfect pitch stabilty compared to the old "wobbly" analogue masters, but musically he is way behind.The Arnhem orchestra also sounds like it is struggling its way through this romantic masterpiece without much success.
All the notes are there yes, but where is the soul and of it all?
The rather unexpansive recording in stereo SACD doesn´t help much either. The Israel Philarmonic as recorded by DECCA in the early sixties is just soo.. much better!
My complaints about the Dvorak are less obvious because I have nothing to compare it against and the music is very good with some pretty good, high register, string tone and very pure piano timbre in pure DSD.The good thing about this recording is that it is very naturally recorded without obvious spotmiking ,but the recording venue seems a bit dead. I have so far only heard this recording in Stereo over my Headphone combo Sennheiser HD 650 and the Musical fidelity X-Can V3. It opens up a bit when heard over the two front channels only, as an MCH.I´ll keep it for the Dvorak, but wouldn´t really recommend it to anyone for the Schumann.

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Review by stvnharr May 22, 2004 (0 of 1 found this review helpful)
Performance:   Sonics:
I'd have to say that I enjoyed this recording more than Chris. I also listen to this on a full system, rather than on headphones. I have a similar headphone system to Chris, and it's nice for quiet and private listening, but I find that orchestra recordings always sound better on a full system where is some presentation and 3-dness to the sound.
I enjoyed the Schumann concerto, mostly as it sounds so much better in sacd than cd. Compared to the Perahia/Abbado/Berlin cd, I found the sacd sound made it more enjoyable. As for the playing, I found it to be just fine.
As for the Dvorak, I had never heard it before. And my opinion on it mirrors that of Chris.
As usual, the Channel sound here is up close, but not really too close for me. That might be different in MC, but I only listen in stereo.

***May 30, 2004***
There is a sound defect in the Dvorak at 4:00 of the third movement. It is easy to miss, but is there if one listens for it. Pity that Jared did not notice this and correct it.

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Review by flyingdutchman May 25, 2004 (2 of 4 found this review helpful)
Performance:   Sonics:
Whereas Chris and stvnharr have mentioned the Schumann and the sound, I will mention the Dvorak because it is perhaps one of my favorite pieces of music. The sound is something I don't mind and quite honestly enjoy. However, the performance of the Dvorak is poor. There is one significant error where the pianist comes to a virtual dead halt at about 4:09 in the 3rd movement. This is huge because the performance suffers from that point on. Terrible performance, look to Firkusny for you Dvorak. The one on Vox is especially good and would be great on SACD since it was recorded in 4 channel sound.

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Review by raffells February 23, 2006 (2 of 2 found this review helpful)
Performance:   Sonics:  
I nearly didnt buy this as I have the highest recomendation Richter/Kleiber version as well as the original version (very poor)and I also have had 5 versions of the Schummann including those mentioned.NOT BUYING would have been a mistake.
For those who dont know the Dvorak it would be fairly difficult to spot any of the composers famous trademark in the piano writing but the orchestral parts are obvious albeit early Dvorak. This IS a version to challenge the best but not beat them and coupled with a top quality version of the Schumann is very recomendable..It may be that the Orchestra is not greatest on the planet and as such cannot / did not over indulge on the romanticism element at the expense of classical line.This is beneficial in the first off Schumman and I wish they would record the symphonies this way as more often than not they sound thick and wooly when over inflated.. I would only give the recording quality 4 and half stars as Ive heard better DSD.It was only yesterday that I was asking for more interesting piano/orchestral discs.This would fit that niche.. nice...Good liner notes that mention Clara ..Now her concerto is one I would really really grovel to get on sacd....grovel..Hey .Ive just noticed Its Channel classics doing a previously none sacd Dvorak work ? interesting.....

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Review by krisjan April 12, 2010 (2 of 2 found this review helpful)
Performance:   Sonics:  
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