974 Blu-ray / TACET’s Beethoven Symphonies: nos. 1 – 9
Description
The market for high-quality multi-channel recording is making great strides forward. A lot of good new recordings were presented recently at the High End Hi-Fi Show in Munich, and now we're offering one more: the first complete recording of all Ludwig van Beethoven's symphonies in phenomenal TACET Real Surround Sound in a box of 3 Blu-ray Discs! Wojciech Rajski and his Polish Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra unleash a five-and-a-half-hour firework display full of surprises. You can hardly believe your ears: was that really exactly how Beethoven wrote it? Yes, absolutely
3 reviews for 974 Blu-ray / TACET’s Beethoven Symphonies: nos. 1 – 9
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HRAudio.net –
--> original review
The five individual SACD releases that together comprise this remarkable and unique set of the Beethoven Symphonies on the TACET label have appeared gradually over a period of ten years. Each has garnered much well deserved praise both for the consistent quality of the performances from the accomplished Polish Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra Sopot, as they are now called, and their fine conductor Wojciech Rajski. It is, however, the addition of TACET 'Real Surround Sound' that gives them an edge over the countless Beethoven Symphony recordings already available on disc, as with a careful surround sound set-up one can experience each of these nine masterpieces in a manner denied to recordings made with microphones placed as for a standard concert hall set-up.
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The whole cycle has now been re-issued by TACET on three Blu-ray discs that, thanks to the extra capacity available from the technology, means three symphonies (in chronological order) can be accommodated comfortably on each disc. Pressing the red button on the Blu-ray player selects 5.1 TACET Real Surround Sound (24bit / 96kHz) which is the default option, while pressing the yellow button selects 2.0 Stereo (24bit /96kHz). It is worth noting that it is not necessary to connect the player to a screen as the usual functions Play, Pause etc. work as for a CD player.
The three discs are supplied in a standard double width CD box that also includes a sixty seven page booklet that provides extensive notes on the music, diagrams of the orchestral lay-out used for each symphony and a helpful guide to setting up one's surround speakers. In answer to queries as to whether there is any difference between the sound of TACET's SACDs and Blu-ray discs Andreas Spreer, with refreshing honesty, writes “The answer is clear: no. Both the stereo and multi-channel versions are identical. On the SACD the signal is always saved with the DSD method, on Blu-ray PCM 24/96. Theoretically there could be a discernible difference, however I can't hear any and I've never heard of any colleagues that can.”
I concur with these findings, though those blessed with 'golden ears' may disagree. What is in no doubt is that TACET's pioneering recording process combined with Wojciech Rajski's refreshing performances add a further dimension to one's appreciation and enjoyment of these nine Beethoven masterpieces.
Copyright © 2016 Graham Williams and HRAudio.net
hifi & records –
The Ninth is the crowning jewel of this complete recording, which was made in Sopot between 2006 and 2009. TACET boss Andreas Spreer places his two proprietary recording techniques at the acoustic center: classic stereophony with “Tube Only” (tube microphones and electronics) and multichannel “Real Surround,” which places the listener right in the middle of the orchestra. Listening from within the orchestra—once the strongest argument against multichannel—has now become a respectable live experience, such as at concerts by the Vienna Symphony, where audience members sit among the musicians.
Rajski’s Beethoven is characterized by brisk tempos, a perfectly balanced interplay between the excellent winds and strings, and optimal transparency in the musical development. The church acoustics contribute richness without softening the sound.
I was already familiar with the SACD versions, but now the multibit recordings sound even more vitally timed and lively than in DSD format. There are outstanding, freshly conceived complete recordings out there—now this cycle joins their ranks!
Ludwig Flich
Jack Gammer –
(…) I am 75 and was first introduced to Beethoven’s Eroica No.3 when I was 14 years old. I fell in love with that symphony, especially the string sections in the second movement. Over the years I have collected a number of sets of the complete 9 Symphonies of Beethoven. I love surround sound and especially the stuff with a “stage” point of view. Mark Waldrep of AIX Records has done some marvelous work with stage point of view recordings as well. So I have always been on the search for superlative Beethoven recordings by various artists.
I want to tell you that yesterday I finally got to sit down to audition the PSO’s BD version of the Eroica recorded by the Tacet team. Wow! It was incredible! I truly love the feeling of being surrounded by the instrumentalists just like the orchestra conductor is. I heard the parts of every instrument spread across the wonderful recording space. It was thrilling to hear instrumental parts in musical dialog with each other. It is so different from the singular “wall of music” that stereo presents. You, the musicians, conductor and recording team are all to be commended for this magnificent reading of Beethoven’s symphony. I fancied myself as Beethoven in person standing there with all this wonderful musical talent surrounding me with music.
Thanks Andreas. This is a truly milestone recording. Congratulations!
Can’t wait to hear what your next project is going to be all about.
Jack Gammer, Canada