Sunier

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - Requiem in D minor K626 (ed. R. Levin) / Adagio & Fugue in C minor K546
Scottish Chamber Orchestra and Chorus / Sir Charles Mackerras
EAC+LOG+CUE | FLAC: 230 MB | Full Artwork: 88 MB | 5% Recovery Info
Label/Cat#: Linn Records # CKD 211 | Country/Year: UK 2003
Genre: Classical | Style: Viennese School

"…With an addition such as this to the growing classical hi-res discography, Linn matches their reputation for superb recording standards with a genuinely superb performance." ~audiophile-audition

This disc and the other two so far in the series were a dream come true for Water Lily Acoustics CEO Kavi Alexander, who had been attempting to record the former Leningrad Symphony for about 25 years. The recording was made live during a public concert in 2003 in the orchestra's hall which is known for its superb acoustics.

Jacques Loussier Trio - The Brandenburgs
EAC+LOG+CUE | FLAC: 287 MB | Full Artwork | 5% Recovery Info
Label/Cat#: Telarc Jazz # CD-83644 | Country/Year: Europe 2006
Genre: Jazz, Classical | Style: Crossover

The CD is a return to the Trio’s roots in Bach via a new jazz interpretation of the entire six Brandenburg Concertos, in order. But this time a rather new approach is in the works. As described by Loussier himself: “Whereas my older recordings were about adding to Bach, this record is about reducing his music to its essence, taking the main themes and working with them as any jazz musician might in playing a theme, an improvisation, and a return to the theme.”

Isaac Albeniz - Suite Espanola
New Philharmonia Orchestra / Rafael Frühbeck De Burgos
EAC+LOG+CUE | WV: 174 MB | Full Artwork | 5% Recovery Info
Label/Cat#: First Impression Music # FIM XR24 068 | Country/Year: US 2005, 1968, XRCD24
Genre: Classical | Style: Romantic

…FIM put a great deal of loving attention into this reissue, and it has paid off. Some of the original lines notes are reprinted and the front cover is a frame for a reproduction of the original LP’s cover. The music is currently available on a Decca CD coupled with Falla’s Love the Magician, and at less than half the cost of this xrcd, but sonically it doesn’t come even close. In fact, I found the xrcd to actually surpass the Cisco vinyl Super Analog Disc reissue on most counts. It is cleaner, has a more extended frequency range, and not the slightest troublesome surface noise or even hiss – the vinyl having both…

Ole Bull - Violin Concertos
Annar Follesø / Norwegian Radio Orchestra
WV (image) 24 bit/192 kHz: 2,47 GB | Artwork | 5% Recovery Info
Label/Cat#: 2L # 2L-067-SABD | Country/Year: Norway 2010
Genre: Classical | Style: Romantic | Source: 2L

…The latest of the series of audio-only Blu-rays (paired with a SACD of the same material) from Norwegian audiophile label 2L has again a strong Norwegian slant as well as leading the pack in the pursuit of the highest-resolution audio files. What other labels have offered any discs with lossless surround sound at 192K/24bit? We’re lucky to get 96K from a few, and most DVDs and Blu-ray movies are only 48K…

Paul Bollenback - Double Vision
SACD ISO Stereo: 2,13 GB | 24B/88,2kHz Stereo FLAC: 992 MB | Full Artwork
Label/Cat#: Challenge Records # SACHR75030 | Country/Year: Netherlands 2000 | 5% Recovery Info
Genre: Jazz | Style: Guitar Jazz

Another U.S. jazz group that had to go to a European jazz label to get released on disc. Hadn't heard of Bollenback, but organist Joey DeFrancesco is a top name in U.S. jazz today. A studio in Maryland was used & the original analog tapes were mixed & mastered to DSD in Amsterdam. Bollenback plays in a strongly swinging single string electric style which mates perfectly with the electric sound of DeFrancesco's B3. Bollenback's guitar is recorded up quite close & the B3 bass end has as strong impact.

Kurt Weill / Bertolt Brecht - Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny [English Version]
Measha Brueggergosman - Orquestra Y Coro del Teatro Real Madrid / La Furaq Dels Baus
MPEG-4 AVC, 1080i, 1.78:1 | PCM Stereo, 5.1 DTS HD Master Audio | Subtitles: English, French, Spanish, German | Full Artwork
Label/Cat#: BelAir classiques # BAC467 | Country/Year: Europe 2011 | Size: 44,30 GB | 5% Recovery Info
Genre: Classical | Style: Opera, Early 20th Century

"…In spite of Brecht’s often heavy-handedness, the opera has plenty of pertinent points to make today. The Blu-ray looks great, even in the many very dark scenes, and the impact of the lossless surround track is excellent. I find that of the three productions, I’ll stick with this one now, and not just because it’s Blu-ray. You may want to keep the English subtitles on the screen to appreciate the details of the lyrics, which are not always discernible. 5 Stars." ~audiophile-audition

VA - Sounds of Hollywood Vol. 2
Vogtland Philharmonie / Stefan Fraas
EAC+LOG+CUE | FLAC: 315 MB | Full Artwork: 135 MB | 5% Recovery Info
Label/Cat#: Ars Produktion # ARS 38 120 | Country/Year: Germany 2012
Genre: Classical, Pop, Stage & Screen | Style: Modern Classical, Soundtrack

This is the second album of themes from famous Hollywood films as well as pop classics in the film music genre, performed in spectacular hi-res surround sound by this Bavarian orchestra. (…) Great fun for movie music/hi-res surround fans!" 4/5 ~audiophile-audition