Dvorak: Symphonie №9 - Moldau - Preludes (1959/1960) [Blu-ray]

The largely under-appreciated Ferenc Fricsay was one of Deutsche Grammophon’s leading conductors at the time of this recording (1960). The reason for a reissue now is Blu-ray audio sound, so this might seem like an odd choice for Universal Music’s finally expanding program of releasing famous recordings from its illustrious catalogue in what they describe as High Fidelity Pure Blu-ray Audio.

Deutsche Grammophon’s sound at the time of this recording (in the age of Mercury Living Presence and RCA Living Stereo) was notorious among audiophiles for its relentless mediocrity. There was a reasonably detailed mid-range with minimal hall sound and virtually no information at the frequency extremes. In short, they sounded dull. That was very frustrating because of the outstanding musical value of their recordings and the quality of their artists. In that context, this Blu-ray audio disc is a minor revelation. Sure, it sounds like a souped-up Deutsche Grammophon recording, but it is far more involving because of the presence of at least some hall sound and more prominent but not particularly harsh highs. Significant bass is still missing in action.

This Blu-ray audio disc is easily recommendable as a tribute to a great conductor, heard for the first time with sound that you will not be accustomed to in a vintage 1960 Deutsche Grammophon recording.

Треклист:
Antonín Dvorák (1841 - 1904)
Symphony No.9 in E minor, Op.95 "From the New World"
1. Adagio - Allegro molto 10:04
2. Largo 13:59
3. Scherzo (Molto vivace) 8:18
4. Allegro con fuoco 12:06
Bedrich Smetana (1824 - 1884)
5. The Moldau (from Má Vlast) 11:01
Franz Liszt (1811 - 1886)
6. Les Préludes, symphonic poem No.3, S.97 (after Lamartine)* 16:43