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An interesting point of view from Jonalogic, namely that the piano and orchestra were recorded "a tad too close together".
While I respect that people have their own preferences for how things should sound to them, I must point out that the piano is hardly surrounded by the orchestra - it is (IMO) rather a presentation where the piano is placed (as is normally the case) adjacent to the orchestra. Just a small point that shouldn't detract from Jonalogic's otherwise accurate review.
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Polly Nomial said:
An interesting point of view from Jonalogic, namely that the piano and orchestra were recorded "a tad too close together".
While I respect that people have their own preferences for how things should sound to them, I must point out that the piano is hardly surrounded by the orchestra - it is (IMO) rather a presentation where the piano is placed (as is normally the case) adjacent to the orchestra. Just a small point that shouldn't detract from Jonalogic's otherwise accurate review.
PN Hi
OK, thanks, maybe I asked for that one, but I'm still not quite sure of your point here.
Anyway, please let me try to clarify what I was getting at originally. Chandos orchestral recordings seem oft to be characterised by quite distanced (for some folks) miking. The result can - at its best - excel at capturing a coherent hall sound. I love that, but am aware it's not quite so important for some folks.
By contrast, their concerto recordings often seem much closer in perspective. A bit schizophrenic, but there you have it.
In this case, and on my system, which can generate quite deep spatial imaging, the piano sounds as if heard from comfortably mid- to front-hall whilst the orchestra sounds just about the same - hence originating from very much the same acoustic space.
In a conventional (modern) orchestral layout, of course, solo pianos are normally parallel or just in front of violin and cello front desks, whilst the woodwind, brass and percussion are recessed. I'm not quite sure that is quite fully manifested here in this recording. But they get away with it handsomely in this case because the recording is so beautifully transparent!
Needless to say, we've all heard concerto recordings where the soloist is in your face, but the orchestra is located somewhere, mistily, a few light years back. I am NOT, of course, suggesting that as a worthy paradigm.
But let's not blow up this issue too much! I think we are probably hearing the same phenomenon, but you welcome the somewhat closer approach (for Chandos, anyway) a bit more than I.
I, for one, hope that Chandos continues its long-standing recording philosophy, which has resulted in some of the most truthful SACDs out there.
Cheers
Jon
PS maybe we should change this to a Chandos thread?
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Sorry - just misunderstood your review; it now makes much more sense!
PN
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Polly Nomial said:
Sorry - just misunderstood your review; it now makes much more sense!
PN
PN Hi
No worries, thanks. Just listened to it again. And it is beginning to sound a bit special. But I still think the Debussy a clunker, I'm afraid. But he was young, so shall we let him off?
Wonder why they put this piece first, though? I am sure most folk will buy this for the Ravel.
Regards
Jon
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I guess the Debussy and Massenet are the bread around the filling of the musical sandwich!
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Post by hiredfox November 5, 2010 (6 of 12)
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Jonalogic said:
PN Hi
No worries, thanks. Just listened to it again. And it is beginning to sound a bit special. But I still think the Debussy a clunker, I'm afraid. But he was young, so shall we let him off?
Wonder why they put this piece first, though? I am sure most folk will buy this for the Ravel.
Regards
Jon
Right, that's it my order has been placed. Also heard Tasmin Little's Elgar VC on Classic FM at lunchtime, immense, so that's two new Chandos' on their way.
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hiredfox said:
Right, that's it my order has been placed. Also heard Tasmin Little's Elgar VC on Classic FM at lunchtime, immense, so that's two new Chandos' on their way.
hiredfox Hi
Indeed, although I have to say this has never quite rocked my world like the 'cello concerto.
Now there's a piece we really need done properly on SACD!
Still on a Chandos theme - has anyone heard the Lutoslawski disc yet?
Cheers
Jon
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Post by Chris November 6, 2010 (8 of 12)
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Jonalogic said:
hiredfox Hi
Still on a Chandos theme - has anyone heard the Lutoslawski disc yet?
Cheers
Jon
Hello Jon I recently started a separate thread regarding that one: Polish Masters. IMHO very very good indeed ! cheers Chris
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Chris said:
Hello Jon I recently started a separate thread regarding that one: Polish Masters. IMHO very very good indeed ! cheers Chris
Chris Hi again
Many thanks - I shall hop over there and very likely buy this!
Cheers
Jon
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