Holst: The Planets/R.Strauss: Also Sprach Zarathustra

Holst: The Planets/R.Strauss: Also Sprach Zarathustra [CD/Blu-Ray Audio Combo]
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Continuing our rediscovery of DGâ€™s 1970s quadrophonic ambitions before anyone had even HEARD of surround sound, comes William Steinbergâ€™s famous readings of Straussâ€™ â€œAlso sprach Zarathustraâ€ and Holstâ€™s â€œThe Planetsâ€, remastered at 24-bit/192kHz from the original 4-track tapes and presented on Blu-ray Audio in 4.0 Surround + CD (new stereo remastering). The booklet includes notes on the original concept and remasters â€“ have a read of this great story.

Developed in the 1970s, Quadraphonic audio was the earliest consumer product recorded and presented in surround sound. Deutsche Grammophon was one of a few labels who embraced this new technology. Just as with todayâ€™s 5.1 surround sound standard, the goal of the quadraphonic format was to expand the sound using two additional speakers positioned behind the listener. A new 4-channel mixing console design was used for making recordings and special omnidirectional microphones captured the ambient sound on additional channels. Indeed, following the original issue of Steinbergâ€™s and the BSOâ€™s â€œThe Planetsâ€, Stereo Review was to comment that it â€œheralded a new era in recorded sound.â€

Though quadrophonic releases were a commercial failure at the time they were issued â€“ due to the high production costs and the costs of the playback equipment, coupled with the technical limitations of cutting the extremely high frequencies into vinyl as well as tracking these without distortion â€“ present-day technology allows us to return to the original tapes and use the Blu-ray Audio format to present these recordings in high definition surround. DG have deliberately chosen not to use any additional sound processing so that the recordings can be heard exactly as their original quadrophonic ambition.

â€¢ William Steinbergâ€™s famous readings of Straussâ€™ Also sprach Zarathustra and Holstâ€™s The Planets newly remastered at 24-bit/192kHz
â€¢ 1 Blu-ray Audio disc (new quadrophonic remastering) + 1 CD (new stereo remastering) in DigiPack format.
â€¢ These recordings remain mementos of Steinbergâ€™s brief tenure as the Boston Symphony Orchestraâ€™s Music Director (1969-1972) â€“ cut all too short due to ailing health â€“ and are of the first rank both musically and technically
â€¢ Celebrating the 100th anniversary of the first performance of â€œThe Planetsâ€
â€¢ Includes booklet notes (E, D) on Steinberg and the BSO and an essay on quadrophonic recording

â€œThe warm resonance of the Boston acoustic adds to the sentient feeling of Steinberg's performance and, with superb playing from the Boston orchestra , the lyrical power of the reading is projected splendidly.â€ Gramophone on â€˜The Planetsâ€™

â€œSteinberg had the most unconventional stick technique that required us to listen very intensely. The need to watch him closely, along with his rock-solid rhythm, turned Hindemith, Strauss, and Holst into powerful statements.â€ Ronald Feldman, BSO cellist, 1967â€“2001

â€œFor me one of the high points of the recording sessions [for DG] was the recording with Steinberg of Zarathustra and The Planets, both of which received what to my mind were definitive recordings.â€ Robert Barned, BSO violist, 1967â€“2016

â€œSteinberg creates great excitement in â€˜Jupiterâ€™ and elsewhere, and his orchestra is on its toes throughout.â€ Classic FM

â€œSonically this recording [of â€˜Also Sprach Zarathustraâ€™], is warm and wide-ranging with timbres clear and true [â€¦] This is a carefully considered reading with the conductor [and] this performance grows in stature the more one listens to it.
[â€¦] Steinbergâ€™s â€˜Planetsâ€™ [â€¦] never fails to connect and communicate. Indeed, if thereâ€™s one recording that delivers all the complexity â€“ and skill â€“ of Holstâ€™s great score it must be this one.â€ Musicweb International
Country USA
Brand Deutsche Grammophon
Manufacturer Deutsche Grammophon
Binding Audio CD
ReleaseDate 2018-04-06
UnitCount 1
Format Import
UPCs 028947986690
EANs 0028947986690

Country	USA
Brand	Deutsche Grammophon
Manufacturer	Deutsche Grammophon
Binding	Audio CD
ReleaseDate	2018-04-06
UnitCount	1
Format	Import
UPCs	028947986690
EANs	0028947986690

Holst: The Planets/R.Strauss: Also Sprach Zarathustra [CD/Blu-Ray Audio Combo]

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