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Strauss: Ein Heldenleben - Maazel

Strauss: Ein Heldenleben - Maazel

Dutton  CDLX-7347

Stereo/Multichannel Hybrid

Classical - Orchestral


Strauss: Ein Heldenleben
Brahms: Alto Rhapsody*

Daniel Majeske (violin)
Yvonne Minton* (alto)
Gentlemen of the Ambrosian Singers*
The Cleveland Orchestra
New Philharmonia Orchestra*
Lorin Maazel (conductor)

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Comment by hiredfox - November 9, 2017 (1 of 3)

This was by all accounts an excellent recording at the time but with Dutton joining the ever lengthening list of labels churning out retreads of old analogue recordings in DSD format, from my point of view it has become necessary to call time on such purchases and concentrate my future on genuinely new recordings to fill gaps in the repertoire or to add new composers to my collection.

Retreads seem to be the new game in town now as labels offer their back catalogues to eager hi res down loaders at little cost to themselves. Fine if it keeps them solvent and afloat and they do not forget the needs of we few audiophile collectors.

Comment by ubertrout - November 20, 2017 (2 of 3)

I think both retreads and new recordings have their place. There is a certain tendency among classical consumers to only purchase recordings from "known" performers, but on the other hand a lot of new SACDs seem to feature the Western Transylvanian State Radio Symphony and a conductor I've never heard of - or to be a lightly patched live recording that isn't that different from listening to a radio broadcast, only in higher resolution. Frankly, I'd be unlikely to pick up most of these discs but for SACD.

As someone who enjoys listening to classical music in surround, and doesn't do vintage analogue quad formats, these Dutton reissues have been wonderful - they're the first digital issue of the quadraphonic mix of these albums, and Columbia/RCA mixed these albums much more creatively than most of the Philips records Pentatone has been reissuing. And, frankly, the playing of the Cleveland Orchestra, even in the post-Szell period of the 70s, is just at a different level than all but the top orchestras today. I haven't gotten any of the newest lot from Dutton yet, but I'm excited to hear it.

Just to reiterate, reissue fetishism is bad, and I agree one should give new recordings on SACD special consideration (which I do). But reissues like this have an important place too, and I suspect will help bring a few more people into the SACD tent.

Comment by Gilbert Burnett - November 20, 2017 (3 of 3)

I agree with Ubertrout, these recordings are historically significant in terms of the evolution of recording techniques and of the legacy of some of the great names in classical music. They are sensibly prices and, above all, thoroughly enjoyable. As I have said elsewhere the transfers are really well done.