Search - Chopin, Rachmaninoff, Schumann :: Sonata No 2 / Etude-Tableau / Arabesque (Sl)

Astounding Playing - Crisp SACD transfer of old recordings

Jason Solomonides | Cromwell, CT | 02/24/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"An essential Horowitz CD, demonstrating his virtuosity and musicality while he was at the peak of his form. Horowitz does both at an extraordinary level. If you like Horowitz, playing either Chopin, Schumann, Rachmaninoff or Liszt, this CD is a MUST. Horowitz proves once again on this CD why he is recognized as one of the greatest performers of all time. The SACD analog to digital transfer is quite remarkable, considering the analog tape source AND the era. There is an excellent dynamic bass to treble range, with just a bit more "nasalness" than today's audiophile is accustomed to... but then again remember the era of the recording! The dynamic range on this SACD reveals nuances in Horowitz's playing that were never obvious on the original vinyl releases! Definitely recommended!"

My opinion

Jeremy Porter | NY, USA | 10/02/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"...>Anyone who complains about this is like when someone complains about the black bars on widescreen DVD transfer and prefer inferior "pan and scan",fit on your TV screen, version. You should know that you gain more when you can listen to the tape hiss in analogue recordings because it shows they transfer the signal without artificial processing that alter the original signal in a bad way (ie. digital noise reduction). You should know that even the modern digital noise reduction (ie. Sonic Solution "No Noise") that used in most reissues on conventional CD, which claims it can be able to remove hiss without effecting the sound, can effects the sound in a great deal in practical way. often, the post production sound ,even when the best and latest noise reduction method is applied, becomes dryer, opaque, muffle or blocked up,lack of breaths,details and more striden. Do you want it that way on SACD? If so, what's the concept of SACD which suppose to portrays high resolution music information and very wide frequency response then? If you like artificially quiet analogue tranfers, I suggest you to stick with your standard CD reissues."