[SACD-R][OF] Bela Bartok – Concerto for Orchestra The Miraculous Mandarin – New York Philharmonic - Pierre Boulez - 2002 (Classical, Orchestral)

Pierre Boulez conducts the New York Philharmonic in the music of Béla Bartók, in recordings originally issued in Quad (as the artwork indicates). These multichannel mixes were somewhat controversial for being much less aggressive than the 70s quad versions.

Reviews from Classics Today (9 Performance / 9 Sound)
These performances, the excellence of which is well known (as is their less than stellar sonic quality), acquire a new lease on life in multi-channel format. Heard in SACD surround sound, the Concerto for Orchestra’s second movement duets enjoy superior localization and a more vividly evocative textural environment. The rushing strings of the finale leap out of the speakers into your listening room. Similarly, the Mandarin’s overloaded climaxes sound less compacted and more subtly layered, while the dynamic range seems to have been expanded as well (witness the “chase” fugue and its ensuing orchestral hysteria).
Bartók’s music often is spatially conceived (remember the seating plans in the scores of such works as Music for Strings, Percussion, and Celesta, or the Sonata for Two Pianos and Percussion), and the enhanced three-dimensionality that the surround format offers suits these pieces admirably. Here is one disc, then, that gains enormously from the new technology, and the fact that the Concerto for Orchestra doesn’t seem to be otherwise available domestically only adds to its attractions.
Review from Classic CD Review
Concerto for Orchestra was recorded Dec. 18, 1972 in Manhattan Center, Mandarin May 11, 1971 – but in Avery Fisher Hall. Both recordings (like the adjoining Prokofiev – Mussorgsky) were done in quadraphonic sound – and it is surprising that CD notes make no mention of this important fact. For the Concerto, “remix engineer” was Raymond Moore, for Mandarin, “original quad remix” was by Raymond L. Moore (presumably the same person), and “sound mix engineer” for the entire CD is Richard King. Recorded sound from Manhattan Center is more appealing than what is heard from Avery Fisher where doubtless a touch of added reverberation was added. Specific instruments can be heard coming from the four main speakers. You are right in the middle of the orchestra, and it is quite grand. Purists will be offended perhaps, but I think it is absolutely stunning. The DSD processing shows what wonders were on those original tapes, including some remarkably solid bass. Boulez’ Bartók isn’t as exciting as Reiner’s, to name only one other conductor, but this fine performance is worth hearing if just for the sonic quality. A word of caution: this SACD can be played only on an SACD player; unfortunately, Sony did not provide regular high-quality stereo tracks for those who do not have multi-channel equipment and wish to play it regular two-track stereo.

New York Philharmonic
Pierre Boulez (conductor)

1.Образ iso нужно записать на DVD диск программой ImgBurn, получив в итоге SACD-R.
(обсуждение).
2.Для проигрывания на компьютере: foobar2000 + sacd-плагин к нему (открывать образ прямо в foobar2000).
(обсуждение).