Review by Russell May 31, 2003 (7 of 7 found this review helpful)
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Performance: Sonics: |
Another true classic recording has arrived on SACD, courtesy of Sony. This time it's Leonard Bernstein's vital and inspired interpretations of four Copland favorites: Appalachian Spring, Billy the Kid, Rodeo, and El Salon Mexico. Lenny is fully in his element here, and IMO these performances, recorded in 1959-61, have never been equalled for spontaneity, spunk, and rhythmic snap, even bettering the composer's own recordings (also on SACD). I compared the sound of this new MCH SACD (in stereo) to the SBM'd CD in Sony's 'Bernstein Century' series, and the SACD beats it handily. The CD sounded quite good actually, but the SACD was much more open and three-dimensional, with a wider, deeper soundstage and a more palpable presence. The SACD has a brighter and more extended treble than the CD (and it's brighter than what we usually hear from present-day orchestral recordings), but it never becomes harsh or strident. Being 40+ year-old recordings, there's also a trace of hiss, but it's not intrusive.
IMO this is the most impressive Sony SACD reissue so far, and an outstanding example of how wonderful early stereo recordings can be; perhaps not quite equal to what RCA and Decca were doing then, but it still has many of the right qualities (and it's certainly lots better than what Columbia would produce later on).
Russell
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