Romantic
Piano Of Giovanni
(2014/New Castle Records/Intermusic S.A./Top Music SA-CD/Super Audio
CD/SACD)/Richard Strauss'
Elektra/Salonen (2013,
2014/Naxos/Bel Air Classiques Blu-ray)
Picture:
X/B- Sound: B+ & B/B- Extras: C-/C+ Main Programs:
B-/C+
PLEASE
NOTE: The
Giovanni
Import Super Audio CD (with CD-compatible tracks) is only available
from our friends at Top Music International and can be ordered from
the links below.
We
wanted to pair these two classical titles, which introduce us to a
new pianist, while revisiting some older works and artists we have
previously covered. Romantic
Piano Of Giovanni (2014)
is yet another solids title from the enduring, independent Intermusic
S.A./Top Music International label, this time in the SA-CD/Super
Audio CD format. The pianist Giovanni plays mostly original
compositions he wrote, plus a few standards and classics to boot. It
is an amazing-sounding release, especially if you can lay the SA-CD
part (a good number of Blu-ray players (including from Sony) and some
PS3 machines can handle the format). Here are the technical
specifications on how this disc was produced:
Remastered
by Povee Chan
SADiE
Digital Precision Mastering
Monitor
Power-Amplifier: Lavardin Model IT
Mastering
Monitor: Audioplan KPNZERT III
Power
System: Isoclean Power Conditioning System
Mastered
with Black Rhodium Cable
Hybrid
Stereo, Plays on all SACD and CD Players
Made
in Austria by Sony
The
songs are as follows, noting the classics by writer:
Puttin'
On The Ritz (Irving Berlin)
Paese
Mio
Dreaming
(R. Schumann)
Anniversary
Song (traditional)
Nadia's
Theme (Barry DeVorzon/P. Botkin Jr.)
Green
Sleeves (traditional)
Gypsie
Dance
The
Way We Were (The Theme From,/Marvin Hamlisch, Alan & Marilyn
Bergman)
Autumn
Balalaika
Caravane
Mystique
Violetera
Infinie
All
I Know Is You
Ordinary
People (J. Pachelbel)
These
all-instrumental tracks play very smoothly, offering nice, well-done
variants on the older songs and yes, this is the same Giovanni who
hosts the successful TV series Giovanni's
World Of Music as seen on PBS, et al. He has sold many CDs in a
time where sales are down, especially of his genre, but don't be
surprised of he is about to get more and more popular. This is a
solid album and he will add audiophile fans with this one easily.
A
paper pullout with an essay and tech notes is the only extra.
Richard
Strauss' Elektra (2013)
is the fifth (!) version of the classic version we have covered on
Blu-ray, and that does not include other formats. You can read about
the previous versions as follows:
As
conducted by Daniele
Gatti
which we reviewed at this link:
http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/10861/Brahms+Violin+Concerto/Dvorak+Sy
Munich
Philharmoniker version (which I liked a bit better)
http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/10711/Dancing+Across+Borders+(2010/First+Run+Featur
Von
Dohnanyi version
http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/9314/Wagner
Zurich
Opera House version (which I also liked a bit better)
http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/11576/W.+A+Mozart+&+Leopold+Mozart+(Intermusic+SA
The
difference here is that we have no less than one of the greatest
conductors around, Esa Pekka Salonen, handling this version. He is
of the celebrated Bernard Herrmann: The Film Scores, which we
reviewed on SA-CD at this link:
http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/7745/Rear+Window/Vertigo/Psycho
This
version by stage director Patrice Chereau pairs down the production
aspects and puts the opera singers in the middle of a sort of
existentialist vacuum so the music is more poignant and isolated.
Thanks to Salonen and the cast in part, that works, but the visuals
actually were a little too empty for myself and not just because of
the previous versions I have seen. What is done is consistent,
logical and makes sense, but it was a style that just did not work
for me. I expect an audio-only version of this would go over very
well among serious opera and classical fans. Now you can see it for
yourself.
An
booklet with tech information and essays built into the DigiPak case
and interview on the Blu-ray disc with Stage Director Patrice Chereau
are the extras.
The
1080i 1.78 X 1 digital High Definition image transfer on Elektra
is our only video presentation, a paired-down stage presentation that
can be rough and noisy in spots, but that is the style of the HD
shoot and it just earns its rating.
The
DSD (Direct Stream Digital, an extremely high definition audio
format) 2.0 Stereo on Giovanni
is of a new recording that has more than its share of sonically
superior moments with very consistent recording throughout and the
mastering and mixing are impressive. The PCM 16/44.1 2.0 CD Stereo
tracks sound good too, but are no match for the style, warmth or
presence of the DSD tracks. The DTS-HD MA (Master Audio) 5.1 and PCM
2.0 Stereo lossless mixes on Elektra
are not bad, but the PCM is a little underwhelming, while the DTS has
some limits because the space and openness of the singing is recorded
for realism. It is an artistic choice that makes sense, but holds
things back for me a bit.
To
find out more about ordering Giovanni,
start with this link, then go to the HOW TO ORDER tab on the
left-hand side column:
http://www.topmusic.com/tm-sacd7020.2.htm
The
direct order link is:
http://www.topmusic.com/to-order.htm
-
Nicholas Sheffo
