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Discussion: Elgar, Delius: Cello Concertos - Jacqueline du Pre

Posts: 10

Post by canonical April 17, 2012 (1 of 10)
I've been having a careful listen to the opening of the Sea Pictures on this new SACD release ... as compared to the version I have on CD for many years. And I am surprised to say this ... but I think the old CD version sounds more natural. Sounds more like Janet Baker. The SACD version is peculiar ... she has her typical haughty rich deep sound when singing in the lower range ... but in the middle range, she sounds emaciated and processed. And I suspect that this is the problem ... the SACD sounds processed to me.

I also seem to be getting headaches listening to these EMI releases ... maybe I am over-doing it ... but fatigue is happening fast and furious. Second day ... second headache. The Brahms with Oistrakh is a complete disaster ... unbearable ... but I quite liked the Beethoven Triple.

Post by canonical April 17, 2012 (2 of 10)
Quite clear: the original CD is vastly superior to the new SACD release. The CD is rich, deep, dark and wonderful. The new version on SACD is emaciated, weird and processed. How very disappointing. Avoid this one.

Post by Claude April 17, 2012 (3 of 10)
canonical said:

I've been having a careful listen to the opening of the Sea Pictures on this new SACD release ... as compared to the version I have on CD for many years.

Which CD is that? An earlier one than the Great Recordings of the Century reissue from 2004?

Post by canonical April 17, 2012 (4 of 10)
Claude said:

Which CD is that? An earlier one than the Great Recordings of the Century reissue from 2004?

My CD version is the 1986 digital remastering ... combined with the Dream of Gerontius.

Post by sunnydaler May 9, 2012 (5 of 10)

Post by hasbro May 10, 2012 (6 of 10)
canonical said:

Quite clear: the original CD is vastly superior to the new SACD release. The CD is rich, deep, dark and wonderful. The new version on SACD is emaciated, weird and processed. How very disappointing. Avoid this one.

I agree completely. Weird, bad sound. I can possibly hear more detail, more ambience on the SACD; but there's also a strange harshness(?)--especially during the loud sections. I find myself so busy trying to figure out what's going on with the sound that I can't concentrate on the music.

This is in reference to the Elgar. The Delius is just plain unlistenable!

Post by canonical May 10, 2012 (7 of 10)
hasbro said:

... there's also a strange harshness(?)--especially during the loud sections.

Exactly how I would describe it too.

Post by petrushka1975 May 11, 2012 (8 of 10)
To each his own but to me these discs sound wonderful and have some of the best cello sound in my entire music collection. Full of detail, warmth and, most of all, air. If I must pick flaws I'd say the singing on the Delius does not have the best articulation of diction.

Post by nucaleena May 11, 2012 (9 of 10)
petrushka1975 said:
If I must pick flaws I'd say the singing on the Delius does not have the best articulation of diction.

The singing on the Delius is like so many choral recordings of the 1960'2, - fat, lazy and stodgy. It just wouldn't be acceptable today and mars this otherwise fine re-release of the Elgar. The Delius won't be coming out of its sleeve too often, especially when I can reach for the D. cello c'to on the recent Chandos disc.

Post by samayoeruorandajin December 20, 2012 (10 of 10)
Speaking of Delius, I think the EMI Beecham 2 disc set would be great if EMI comes back to this stuff again.

Closed