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Discussion: Cantus - KUNIKO

Posts: 15
Page: 1 2 next

Post by Jonalogic July 19, 2013 (1 of 15)
I seemingly can't formally review this yet.

All in all, I regret to say I found this disc rather disappointing. On the plus side, there is some great minimalist music here; Kuniko's playing is - as ever - subtle, austere and hyponotic.

However:

1) The percussion transcriptions are not necessarily the right way to hear the Part pieces, in my opinion. They certainly don't add anything to the piano or piano/violin originals, and don't allow anything like the range of expressive effects possible with more 'traditional' orchestration.

2) The sound. This really, really does not work at all in stereo, which 95%+ of listeners will be using. Despite its 24/192 provenance, it all sounds oppressively close and flat to me, with a bare minimum of room sound. No transients or timbres bouncing off the walls and ceilings in this one! In fact, there is very little sense of an acoustic space at all. Just a giant vibraphone or marimba stretching from one speaker to another. This is most most un-Linn like, of course: in fact, it was recorded in Japan for them. A pity, as their normal Hobbs/Finesplice team would have produced a far more natural recording.

This SACD sounds as if it may have been balanced to place MCH listeners in the percussion set. A strange decision - give me the superior focus, air, timbral accuracy and acoustic sense of a slightly more distanced recording, any day.

So, great if you like jamming your head up a marimba or vibraphone. Otherwise - and particularly if you're a stereo listener - beware.

I suspect this one will polarise opinions.

Post by Barryroque August 19, 2013 (2 of 15)

Post by Jonalogic August 21, 2013 (3 of 15)
Yes, it still moves. At last, a belated return from the lurker who doesn't much like the unnecessary hassle of listening to or assessing the recordings himself, but implicitly believes a sketchy micro review from some unknown geezer on a website nobody has ever heard of...

I find it quite touching.

Have you actually listened to this? On what equipment? Let me guess.

Nice one, sonny. Now go back to sleep for another few months. And try managing to string a few words together when you return.

It's called 'writing'. Try it sometime. You might even like it.

Post by Barryroque August 21, 2013 (4 of 15)
The text of this post has been deleted by the moderator. Reason:

Breaking forum rule 1.

Post by Jonalogic August 21, 2013 (5 of 15)
The text of this post has been deleted by the moderator. Reason:

Breaking forum rule 1.

Post by Barryroque August 22, 2013 (6 of 15)
The text of this post has been deleted by the moderator. Reason:

Breaking forum rule 1.

Post by Euell Neverno August 22, 2013 (7 of 15)
Barryroque said:

The text of this post has been deleted by the moderator. Reason:

Breaking forum rule 1.

Not "respectful and constructive," true, but very amusing nonetheless. I believe the British have an unmatched talent for vituperation.

Post by Jonalogic August 22, 2013 (8 of 15)
Euell Neverno said:

Not "respectful and constructive," true, but very amusing nonetheless. I believe the British have an unmatched talent for vituperation.

Gee, thanks.

Not respectful, I plead guilty. Some folks simply do not merit it. Especially when they engage in a debate on a recording without - seemingly - bothering to listen to it.

Constructive? Most debatable... but the serious point I was seeking to make was, of course, that people should always make their own judgments and come to their own opinions.

I must, perforce, respect the moderator's decision on all this. That is what the rules are for. Plus I agree this was not a debate, it was a mud-slinging match, and should be excised.

An interesting sidelight on this: a certain Lebrecht, who was cited above as an authority on this recording - together with just about anything else he has appointed himself to take a view on - has been the target of considerable criticism over in the BIS thread.

Does this slide over the line in respect of 'respectful and constructive'? Just where is that line, anyway?

And now back to the music, please...

I did say in my review that this recording would polarise opinion. And it does. So has anyone who has actually listened to it got an opinion they would like to express, please? Something from a MCH listener would be good, as I suspect this disc was created and mixed for them.

Post by Euell Neverno August 22, 2013 (9 of 15)
Jonalogic said:

Gee, thanks.

Does this slide over the line in respect of 'respectful and constructive'? Just where is that line, anyway?

Don't worry. You are bound to find it eventually. :-)

Post by Jonalogic August 22, 2013 (10 of 15)
Euell Neverno said:

Don't worry. You are bound to find it eventually. :-)

Euell Hi

Thanks!

Actually, there is a serious point here (really). See the Mravinsky thread.

Lines are fine. But they do need to be clear and consistent.

Cheers.

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