| QUOTE: | CD: Boston Pops Orchestra - Arthur Fiedler Conducting - George Gershwin: Rhapsody In Blue - An American In Paris (Hybrid SACD)
George Gershwin: Rhapsody In Blue - An American In Paris (Hybrid
SACD)
Boston Pops Orchestra - Arthur Fiedler Conducting
2005 BMG Classics
RCA Living Stereo LP Originally Released 1961
CD Edition Released June 17, 1997
Hybrid SACD Released January 25, 2005
Amazon.com Customer Review
Special, If Not Spectacular, January 27, 2005
Reviewer: Richard Falgione (Glenshaw, PA, U S A)
The reason I could not give this SACD a 5-star rating is that in some
of the loudest passages the music becomes congested and compressed.
And, I don't remember that occurring in my previous experiences with
this special recording of the Boston Pops led by Arthur Fiedler. It is
truly amazing, however, that such an historic recording can sound so
uncannily present.
The stereo SACD layer of this disc does what SACD is supposed to do:
the instruments are much better placed within the three dimensional
sound stage, timbre is more accurately rendered, the instruments are,
also, resolved more finely, more of the ambience of the venue is
captured and the air around each of the instruments more realistically
clarifies their positions, bass is much more controlled and real,
which adds up to more realism and more musical drama. Some moments on
this SACD are truly transcendent (I could tell you where, but I'll
leave the wonderful surprises to you), while the rest is damned good.
I guess I hoped for more, though.
Why?
When this RCA Living Stereo recording of Rhapsody in Blue was last
released on CD in 1997, the remastering used 20 bit technology, a
customized Studer transport, Cello electronics and UV22 Super CD
encoding (per the CD cover). This remastering had done a phenomenal
job in getting as much musical information onto the CD as possible.
Consequently, this raised the bar that the present SACD had to
outstrip, which it does. However, it does not do so as handily as
other Living Stereo SACDs whose prior CD release did not have such
wonderful remastering.
Another problem I noticed with this SACD and some other RCA Living
Stereo SACDs that have been released recently is that there is
something missing at the very top end. I thought though that maybe I
was just now hearing these recordings as they sounded from the master
tapes, as all the hype has stated. However, Harry Pearson has the same
problem. As he expressed recently, "The top octaves sound rolled off,
and harmonically depleted."
Is this better than the most recent CD iteration? In most respects,
yes, except for the caveats just stated.
If you treasure the RCA Living Stereo series as I do, the improvements
that this SACD brings to the table are well worth the price of
admission.
Amazon.com Customer Review
One Of The Best, January 31, 2003
Reviewer: R. Fill "ryzzard" (Sunken Shadow Road)
We are not lacking for good and even great Gershwin recordings but
even in a crowded field these performances by Fiedler and Wild stand
high. Niether are phased by Gershwin's loose musical idiom and fully
work with it. The urge to tidy the loose ends up or bring a bit of
order to the music has resulted in many a deadly boring performance of
Gershwin. That never happens here. From infectuous good spirits to the
at times dark blues these performances fully capture the unique spirit
and sound of Gershwin. These recordings were made by RCA from 1959 to
1961 and are probably older than most people reading this. Have no
fear sound wise as these recordings are quite simply superb. I have
heard many a recent one that could take lessons from this one. Classic
performances, great music and a very reasonable price.
Amazon.com Customer Review
Standard performance and sound, April 11, 2002
Reviewer: jean couture (Qc - Canada)
Definitely, one of the most lyrical, exciting, astounding discs of
americana. The Rhapsody is, quite simply, outstanding! The piano
playing was done by a master. Unequalled. Unsurpassed. Recording is
flawless, as is the playing by those skilled bostonians. This edition
on cd is excellent and matches the old LPs.
A 'French mood' is well portrayed in "An American In Paris", an
impressive account under the magic baton of Arthur Fiedler. Of course,
there are other very good versions of this classic from Gershwin. This
one, if not THE best, is one of the few essential recordings in the
catalog (I'm tempted to say this one is the champion recording, still
a standard by which we can judge other records of the 'Rhapsody' and
'An American In Paris').
Since I had it on LP (RCA LSC-2367), (Chesky RC-8), and on CD (the
present edition - RCA 68792), I can testify this re-issue is, like I
said, excellent : very good sound, if not GREAT sound - fare quite
well, even when compared to the good old Dogs. One of the great RCAs,
and one great album of music by George Gershwin.
Amazon.com Customer Review
Good performance and bargain, March 26, 2000
Reviewer: Gil Hernandez (Lubbock, TX USA)
Surprisingly rare to find these three pieces (Rhapsody, American in
Paris, and the Concerto) on one disc, with such solid, virtuosic
performances. The 'variations' is a very pleasant bit of filler as
well. Money well spent and not just a 'bargain.' I do have to say,
however, that Earl Wild's performance, while outstanding, doesn't
provide most subtle interpretation of this music, and at times he
takes some rather cringing liberties with the score.
Amazon.com Customer Review
First rate performance, February 17, 2000
Reviewer: Bill (Los Angeles)
I cannot rate all of the material on this disk, as I have the LP which
only contains Rhapsody in Blue and An American in Paris. Nonetheless,
this is the type of music that Arthur Fieldler excelled at, and Earl
Wild is simply fabulous.
One danger with Gershwin is that his mixing of classical and jazz has
flummoxed more than a few otherwise excellent conductors and pianists
who seem to miss the jazz feel that the piece requires. Neither
Fiedler nor Wild had this problem. The result is an exciting |
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