172 DVD-A / Louis Spohr: String Sextet op. 140, Nonet op. 31

3 reviews for 172 DVD-A / Louis Spohr: String Sextet op. 140, Nonet op. 31

1. Jean-Marc’s Multi-Channel Recordings Reviews – 1. May 2012

   --> original review

   (…) Die Schönheit des Klangs jedes Musikers sind wahrscheinlich die ersten Worte, die ich verwenden würde, um eine weitere magische Produktion von TACET zu charakterisieren. Diese Multichannel-DVD-Audio ist eine weitere Kammermusikaufnahme, gespielt von der Camerata Freden (nach Beethoven und Schubert). Wie üblich bei einer TACET-Multichannel-Aufnahme ist jedes Instrument um den Zuhörer herum verteilt und hat einen sehr präzisen physischen Standort. Gleichzeitig sind wir in ihren kombinierten Klang eingetaucht.

   Each of these three recordings (of Camerata Freden for mixed strings and winds) has a different sound signature. I did confirm by e-mail from Mr Spreer that there were all recorded at the same location, yet there are obvious differences of sound perception. I will make the analogy that Mr Spreer is like a great Chef and he can vary his sauces and spices to perfectly flavour each of his meal.

   I had fun listening to a few minutes of the first movement of Beethoven' Septet, Schubert's Octet and finally the first movement of Spohr's Nonet to try to differentiate the three recordings. The Beethoven is the most immediate, lively, but in comparison with the other two there is a small lack of air (presence) around each instrument. The Schubert is larger and darker, the circle around the listener wider, and each instrument feels larger (subjectively).

   Finally this recording is a bit in between, there is the same closeness than the Beethoven, but each instrument has a better sense of projection, a bit more colour. This gives a great beauty to the sound. A good example of this is the Adagio of the Nonet (track 7), each instrument resonates, each note is sung, each melody is ample and rich. This is even stronger when several instruments play together to sustain the same melody. The sound is so rich it is like eating a pastry!

   Wie üblich hat Herr Spreer sein Rezept an Spohrs Musik angepasst, die vielleicht nicht auf dem Niveau von Beethoven und Schubert ist, aber mit großer Schönheit strahlt und sich anfühlt, als würde man das beste Dessert essen. (…)

   Jean Marc Serre

2. Ensemble – 1. August 2011

   On the latest CD by the 'camerata freden,' you won't hear the great anniversaries of music history, but rather two wonderful chamber music works by Louis Spohr. With the Nonet Op. 31, Spohr created a new genre of musical composition. Here, five wind instruments are paired with four strings, resulting in an incredibly varied and colorful sound. The Scherzo and Finale, in particular, bubble with energy and joy of playing. And even if the strings don't always sound perfect, the recording convinces with its charm, temperament, and the lyrical-harmonic interplay—which is especially evident in the String Sextet in C Major Op. 140: musical jewels performed with love.

   Anja Renczikoswki

3. Klassik heute – 15. April 2011

   (...) Conclusion: Two chamber music gems, performed with commitment and stylistic assurance by the ensemble of the Freden Music Days.
   Sixtus König