Record Review 2/1/16

[Alison]

It was good to hear SM-P and DON not simply agreeing with another in the normal manner.

A really interesting conversation to finally prove the worth of the medium.

I want to get that Steve Martland set in particular.

It was moving to see him as a Proms pundit as I watched an old recording over the Christmas break.

[BBMmk2]

Well, just based on Jayne's unequivocal judgement on this recording, I will have no hesitation, whatsoever, in buying this particular version, of this marvellous score! :)

[mahlerei]

In its 24/96 WAV guise (played in Audirvana+ 2.3.2 via well-optimised USB) it's simply stunning...glorious... the most striking qualities are - warmth and intimacy, set fairly close in a transparent, precisely 3-D soundstage, placing each choral section very clearly as they enter. The orchestra blends in supportively - distinct but not too separate. With this intimacy, the warmth and smoothness of the balance, the music seems to speak to you directly from very present performers and you quickly become absorbed in the performance - you can "watch" it unfold, tangibly, before you. Soloists a little forward of the ensemble, smoothly balanced with no trace of harshness or overemphasis. (JEG lends a lovely buoyancy and lightness to the textures & rhythms in the Kyrie sequence, a relaxed spring-in-the-step to his directing...)
This is one of the most beautiful recordings of a classical choral masterpiece I've heard - smooth, detailed, precise and above all effortlessly natural. Finely engineered by Mike Hatch & Chris Kalcov in LSO St. Luke's.

Mike Hatch and Chris Kalcov also did a splendid job with Alessio Bax's Mussorgsky and Scriabin (Signum). Some of the most natural piano sound I've heard in ages; easily as good as anything from Hyperion or Take5's Jens Braun. Of course the playing is very special, too. FWIW I reviewed the 24/96 flacs from eClassical.