BaL 15.06.24 - Strauss: Also sprach Zarathustra

[Roger Webb]

It provided a good work-out for the subwoofer......................................... . I really don't like Richard Strauss.

Mine too, those low Cs on the double bass extenders are 33hz........................................... Rosenkavalier?!

[LMcD]

Is a single recommendation now the norm?

[Goon525]

Is a single recommendation now the norm?

Yes, has been for ages. We normally get a short list of three before the final/movement/song/whatever, a bit of each played and then a winner is announced.

[Goon525]

In other words, it’s a bit like a reality tv show. Strictly come library building?

[Pulcinella]

Yes, has been for ages. We normally get a short list of three before the final/movement/song/whatever, a bit of each played and then a winner is announced.

'Winner' added to original post.

[Roger Webb]

Have you any answer to my point in #29 above about which Reiner/Chicago they played?

[Goon525]

Have you any answer to my point in #29 above about which Reiner/Chicago they played?

No easy way of knowing, given the ambiguity of what was said. Unless someone has both versions, and can be bothered to do some timing?

[Roger Webb]

No easy way of knowing, given the ambiguity of what was said. Unless someone has both versions, and can be bothered to do some timing?

No, I've the '54 on Lp, Qobuz has both '54 and '62 in several masterings....I'll do a bit of research after listening again to the BaL.

[HighlandDougie]

Well certainly for the Karajan the later digital one was recorded when the orchestra was having a bit of an off day - the playing is not on a par with that he obtained in '73...just listening to tne opening, it's one of those instances where, as Jonathan pointed out, there's a mismatch between orchestra and organ.

This Gramophone review might be interesting

https://www.gramophone.co.uk/features/article/strauss-s-also-sprach-zarathustra-a-complete-guide-to-the-best-recordings

BTW. I was a bit mystified by CD McG's comment that the Reiner/Chicago he (claimed to have) played was the 1962 RCA Red Seal/living Stereo recording.

The RCA Red Seal is the 1962 one, but the Living Stereo is the 1954 recording - which is a Red Seal recording! But the '62 was never a Living Stereo....so which did he play?

We've had this sort of cock-up before.....especially annoying when it was my request for the 'On Repeat' slot. I requested Solti/Chicago Bartok Dance Suite and they played Solti/LSO....not the same thing!

The 1962 recording was issued with the Burleske and the Rosenkavalier Waltzes as a Living Stereo CD - see

https://www.ebay.com/itm/204115921564?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-117182-37290-0&mkcid=2&mkscid=101&itemid=204115921564&targeti d= 2299003535955&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=900752 7&poi=&campaignid=21214273144&mkgroupid=16431647 08 67&rlsatarget=pla-2299003535955&abcId=9407518&merchantid=101750152&g ad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwmrqzBhAoEiwAXVpgorVeR17e hpogf7Y3pz9oRQuv6743LduP0E0lg2hbZijoFoirhGP1mhoC0Y UQAvD_BwE

So the references in BaL to the 1962 recording might well have been to, well, the 1962 recording. It's all rather confusing as the SACD version of ASZ, coupled with Ein Heldenleben, is of course the 1954 recording.

[Ein Heldenleben]

Mine too, those low Cs on the double bass extenders are 33hz........................................... Rosenkavalier?!

How did it cope with the 32 foot C on the organ - a mere 16 hz ?

And are there any records with the only two 64foot low C organs in the world ?
A wall threatening 8 HZ!

[Roger Webb]

How did it cope with the 32 foot C on the organ - a mere 16 hz ?

And are there any records with the only two 64foot low C organs in the world ?
A wall threatening 8 HZ!

I still have something at 16hz, but it's curtailed....always difficult to know, as maybe the recording is down at that frequency.

I use a Quad L-Series subwoofer in conjunction with Quad 2812 electrostatics. The electrostatics are about 3db down at 38hz, and the low pass on the sub is set to 45hz. They 'marry' very well, and orchestral bass drums (usually about 38hz fundamental) are truly awesome, double basses down to their 'normal' E (41hz), open bottom string - especially 'pizz', are very satisfying.

For 8hz.....you need to be there!

[Roger Webb]

The 1962 recording was issued with the Burleske and the Rosenkavalier Waltzes as a Living Stereo CD - see

https://www.ebay.com/itm/204115921564?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-117182-37290-0&mkcid=2&mkscid=101&itemid=204115921564&targeti d= 2299003535955&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=900752 7&poi=&campaignid=21214273144&mkgroupid=16431647 08 67&rlsatarget=pla-2299003535955&abcId=9407518&merchantid=101750152&g ad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwmrqzBhAoEiwAXVpgorVeR17e hpogf7Y3pz9oRQuv6743LduP0E0lg2hbZijoFoirhGP1mhoC0Y UQAvD_BwE

So the references in BaL to the 1962 recording might well have been to, well, the 1962 recording. It's all rather confusing as the SACD version of ASZ, coupled with Ein Heldenleben, is of course the 1954 recording.

Thanks for the information Dougie, yes confusing, I've been back to BaL podcast and fairly sure the Reiner they played was '62 - shame they didn't play the opening, as the timps are on the left in the '62, right of centre in '54...and very soggy!

Looking at the sleeve verso on the above CD the producer is given as Richard Mohr, which is correct for '62....Pheiffer for '54.

Having been onto Discogs all the sleeves shown are similar, with slight deviations for re-issues, for both '54 (all with Living Stereo) and for ('62, all that grotty green!).....apart from the above CD!

[ucanseetheend]

All rather confusing trying to find the 1973 BPO Karajan on my streaming service . It has 1995 and 2003 recordings.The cover of eclipse of sun recording is listed as 1995 . Frustrating

[Nick Armstrong]

Well certainly for the Karajan the later digital one was recorded when the orchestra was having a bit of an off day - the playing is not on a par with that he obtained in '73...

… although the thing that jumped out to me just listening to the start of BAL was a nasty brass split note in that opening of the ‘73 Karajan

[Roger Webb]

All rather confusing trying to find the 1973 BPO Karajan on my streaming service . It has 1995 and 2003 recordings.The cover of eclipse of sun recording is listed as 1995 . Frustrating

Which streaming service? Qobuz have it correct. Don't forget the dates given are often picked randomly, and are often re-issue dates, rather than recording dates......annoying, isn't it?!