2023 02 01 Imagine

John Lennon’s birthday today, October 9, is marked by the release of a new deluxe and expanded version of Imagine (The Ultimate Collection). The set is now available to stream and download, and features the entire full-length collection of tracks, some of which have previously only been available on Blu-Ray, in Hi-Res Stereo and Spatial Audio/Dolby Atmos. Yoko Ono Lennon and Sean Ono Lennon have sent a note to Lennon’s legions of fans worldwide to explain that each set of mixes from the compilation – Ultimate, Elements, Evolution, Raw Studio and Out-Takes – has been released as a separate album. This allows his songs to be enjoyed in the way that was originally intended, curated by Yoko Ono Lennon, rather than release all 78 tracks from the themed retrospective in one vast playlist.

In past centuries, almost the only way to get to know musical masterpieces from other genres than the piano, was through transcriptions. Orchestral concerts were rare. It was not so easy to hear performances. Just imagine, if you didn’t live in the same city as Bach you might have to travel by horse and carriage to hear his works and then possibly only one performance. You would have to travel far in the most uncomfortable and dangerous manner to hear a cantata. Or, in a later era, for instance a symphony. The radio and recording industry has changed everything, it’s impossible for us today to imagine what an enterprise it was!