_Composers – Massenet

Debussy / Clair de Lune / Agoult

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A KILLER sounding copy with Shootout Winning Triple Plus (A+++) sound or close to it on both sides
These sides are incredibly rich, sweet and full-bodied yet still very clean, clear and spacious; Demo Disc sound throughout!
I can’t imagine a more beautiful record, both in terms of the programme and the sound; this record is a wonderful example of what the Decca recording engineers (Kenneth Wilkinson in this case) were able to capture on tape
This is the exact same recording as the famous Living Stereo Clair De Lune, LSC-2326, but with a couple of extra tracks included

Transparent and spacious, wide and naturally staged, clean yet rich, with zero coloration, there is nothing here to fault. Nearly Triple Plus all the way. So relaxed and natural you will soon find yourself lost in the music. (more…)

Massenet – Le Cid Ballet & Meyerbeer – Les Patineurs – Speakers Corner Reviewed

More of the music of Jules Massenet (1842-1912)

Le Cid Ballet & Meyerbeer

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Sonic Grade: B

Finally a version of Le Cid that we can enjoy! Superb sound with a performance to match! No more suffering through the hi-fi-ish Doug Sax/ Acoustic Sounds rebutchering of the Fremaux on Klavier.

Audiophiles in droves bought into that one, apparently not noticing the overblown bass and spark-spark-sparkling top end. Thankfully we now have this Decca from Speakers Corner to demonstrate proper orchestral balance. (more…)

Massenet – Le Cid Ballet Music – Klavier Debunked

More of the music of Jules Massenet (1842-1912)

Le Cid Ballet Music

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Sonic Grade: D

A Hall of Shame pressing.

This hi-fi-ish Doug Sax/ Acoustic Sounds re-butchering of the Fremaux on Klavier is insufferable. Back in the day audiophiles in droves bought them from all the major mail order audiophile record dealers (you know who I’m talking about), apparently not noticing the overblown bass and spark-spark-sparkling top end. (Perhaps the same audiophiles who think that Mobile Fidelity makes good sounding records?)

If your system needs boosted bass and highs try this Klavier pressing. Better yet, fix your stereo so you won’t need phony audiophile records like this one to make it sound good! (more…)

Massenet / Le Cid / Martinon – This Blueback Was Awful

More of the music of Jules Massenet (1842-1912)

Le Cid / Martinon

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Sonic Grade: F

A Hall of Shame pressing. Don’t buy into that record collecting / audiophile canard that the originals are always better.

The original Blueback pressing — true, we only had the one, so take it for what it’s worth — was a complete disaster: shrill, with no top or bottom to speak of. (more…)

Massenet / Le Cid / Martinon – Our Shootout Winner from 2011

More of the music of Jules Massenet (1842-1912)

Le Cid / Martinon

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A distinguished member of the Better Records Orchestral Music Hall of Fame.

Superb Super Hot Stamper sound for Les Patineurs, and the Le Cid is just a step behind at A+ to A++. We had a copy of the famous Greeensleeves pressing for our shootout, along with a number of Londons, and this Stereo Treasury had the highest overall sonic grades of all of them. The original Blueback pressing — true, we only had the one, so take it for what it’s worth — was a complete disaster: shrill, with no top or bottom to speak of.

Both these pieces are audiophile Must Own Demonstration pieces, full of depth, ambience, and wonderfully correct instrumental timbres, especially from the woodwinds. Add explosive dynamics and deep bass and you have yourself a genuine audiophile recording. (more…)

Massenet / Le Cid / Fremaux / City of Birmingham Symphony

More of the music of Jules Massenet (1842-1912)

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A distinguished member of the Better Records Orchestral Music Hall of Fame.

This is a record that clearly belongs on a Super Disc list; if Harry hadn’t already put it there we certainly would have. (We would love to compile a Super Disc list of our own, but unless you have just the right copy of whatever title you find on the list, you may not have anything like Super Disc sound quality, so why a list at all? It creates more problems for audiophiles than it solves.) (more…)

Debussy / Clair de Lune / Agoult – Our Shootout Winner from 2011

More of the music of Claude Debussy

More Clair de Lune / Agoult

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A distinguished member of the Better Records Orchestral Music Hall of Fame.

This Shaded Dog LP has DEMONSTRATION QUALITY SOUND, if what you’re demonstrating is not a Hi-Fi spectacular, but rather a sublime presentation of a truly sweet and natural string section of an orchestra, presented here on analog disc created more than fifty years ago.

I can’t imagine a more beautiful record, both in terms of the programme and the sound. This record is a wonderful example of what the Decca recording engineers were able to capture on tape, and the RCA mastering engineers were able to master from tape. (more…)