Haitink/CSO M3 on WFMT today, but . . .

[barry guerrero]

.    .    .    but in order to receive digital streaming from WFMT (Chicago), you have to subscribe, and it ain't cheap.

Barry

[Roland Flessner]

The CD was released today, and I bought it at tonight's CSO concert. I will report back once I've had a chance to listen to it.

[John Kim]

As I said, Japanese classical music fans gave 85/100 for this recording. Considering their scores rarely go over 90, it's a pretty good rating. But then Kobayashi/JPO/Exton M9th got 95/100. Macal/CPO/Exton/M6th and Bertini/TMSO/Fontec M9th got 91/100 respectively.

John,

[sperlsco]

But then Kobayashi/JPO/Exton M9th got 95/100...
John,

Somebody, preferably living in the Seattle area, needs to buy that one and report back!   

[John Kim]

Scott,

Oh, yes, I am working on it...

Regards,

John,

[Roland Flessner]

Please consider this preliminary, but here are my early impressions:

If you think of Haitink giving competent but routine performances, think again. This is vigorous and spirited conducting.

The CSO plays beautifully, and the recorded sound is excellent. I'd say the bass is just a touch muddy, but aside from that, the sound is clear and sounds natural. I wish Orchestra Hall sounded this good when I'm sitting in it.

For those of you obsessed with the tamtam, as I am, it's felt more than heard in the quieter parts. It's clearly audible at the end of the first movement, but it's not the big crash that Mahler called for.

Michelle DeYoung has a bit of a wobble that might bother some listeners.

The set was priced at $20.99 at the Symphony Store, to which the usual 10 percent subscriber discount may be applied.

Cheers!

[barry guerrero]

Thanks man. I'm hoping to pick one up in Berkelely today.   

Barry

[Leo K]

But then Kobayashi/JPO/Exton M9th got 95/100...
John,

Somebody, preferably living in the Seattle area, needs to buy that one and report back!   

I'd like to get the Kobayashi, but I've never ordered from Japan...is it expensive?