Boston Pops Orchestra - Arthur Fiedler Conducting: George Gershwin: Rhapsody In Blue - An American In Paris (Hybrid SACD) CD Track Listing

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Boston Pops Orchestra - Arthur Fiedler Conducting George Gershwin: Rhapsody In Blue - An American In Paris (Hybrid SACD) (1961)
George Gershwin: Rhapsody In Blue - An American In Paris (Hybrid SACD)\nBoston Pops Orchestra - Arthur Fiedler Conducting\n2005 BMG Classics\n\nRCA Living Stereo LP Originally Released 1961\nCD Edition Released June 17, 1997\nHybrid SACD Released January 25, 2005\n\nAmazon.com Customer Review\nSpecial, If Not Spectacular, January 27, 2005 \nReviewer: Richard Falgione (Glenshaw, PA, U S A)\nThe reason I could not give this SACD a 5-star rating is that in some of the loudest passages the music becomes congested and compressed. And, I don't remember that occurring in my previous experiences with this special recording of the Boston Pops led by Arthur Fiedler. It is truly amazing, however, that such an historic recording can sound so uncannily present. \n\nThe stereo SACD layer of this disc does what SACD is supposed to do: the instruments are much better placed within the three dimensional sound stage, timbre is more accurately rendered, the instruments are, also, resolved more finely, more of the ambience of the venue is captured and the air around each of the instruments more realistically clarifies their positions, bass is much more controlled and real, which adds up to more realism and more musical drama. Some moments on this SACD are truly transcendent (I could tell you where, but I'll leave the wonderful surprises to you), while the rest is damned good. \n\nI guess I hoped for more, though. \n\nWhy? \n\nWhen this RCA Living Stereo recording of Rhapsody in Blue was last released on CD in 1997, the remastering used 20 bit technology, a customized Studer transport, Cello electronics and UV22 Super CD encoding (per the CD cover). This remastering had done a phenomenal job in getting as much musical information onto the CD as possible. Consequently, this raised the bar that the present SACD had to outstrip, which it does. However, it does not do so as handily as other Living Stereo SACDs whose prior CD release did not have such wonderful remastering. \n\nAnother problem I noticed with this SACD and some other RCA Living Stereo SACDs that have been released recently is that there is something missing at the very top end. I thought though that maybe I was just now hearing these recordings as they sounded from the master tapes, as all the hype has stated. However, Harry Pearson has the same problem. As he expressed recently, "The top octaves sound rolled off, and harmonically depleted." \n\nIs this better than the most recent CD iteration? In most respects, yes, except for the caveats just stated. \n\nIf you treasure the RCA Living Stereo series as I do, the improvements that this SACD brings to the table are well worth the price of admission. \n\n\nAmazon.com Customer Review\nOne Of The Best, January 31, 2003 \nReviewer: R. Fill "ryzzard" (Sunken Shadow Road)\nWe are not lacking for good and even great Gershwin recordings but even in a crowded field these performances by Fiedler and Wild stand high. Niether are phased by Gershwin's loose musical idiom and fully work with it. The urge to tidy the loose ends up or bring a bit of order to the music has resulted in many a deadly boring performance of Gershwin. That never happens here. From infectuous good spirits to the at times dark blues these performances fully capture the unique spirit and sound of Gershwin. These recordings were made by RCA from 1959 to 1961 and are probably older than most people reading this. Have no fear sound wise as these recordings are quite simply superb. I have heard many a recent one that could take lessons from this one. Classic performances, great music and a very reasonable price. \n\nAmazon.com Customer Review\nStandard performance and sound, April 11, 2002 \nReviewer: jean couture (Qc - Canada)\nDefinitely, one of the most lyrical, exciting, astounding discs of americana. The Rhapsody is, quite simply, outstanding! The piano playing was done by a master. Unequalled. Unsurpassed. Recording is flawless, as is the playing by those skilled bostonians. This edition on cd is excellent and matches the old LPs.\n\nA 'French mood' is well portrayed in "An American In Paris", an impressive account under the magic baton of Arthur Fiedler. Of course, there are other very good versions of this classic from Gershwin. This one, if not THE best, is one of the few essential recordings in the catalog (I'm tempted to say this one is the champion recording, still a standard by which we can judge other records of the 'Rhapsody' and 'An American In Paris').\n\nSince I had it on LP (RCA LSC-2367), (Chesky RC-8), and on CD (the present edition - RCA 68792), I can testify this re-issue is, like I said, excellent : very good sound, if not GREAT sound - fare quite well, even when compared to the good old Dogs. One of the great RCAs, and one great album of music by George Gershwin. \n\n\nAmazon.com Customer Review\nGood performance and bargain, March 26, 2000 \nReviewer: Gil Hernandez (Lubbock, TX USA)\nSurprisingly rare to find these three pieces (Rhapsody, American in Paris, and the Concerto) on one disc, with such solid, virtuosic performances. The 'variations' is a very pleasant bit of filler as well. Money well spent and not just a 'bargain.' I do have to say, however, that Earl Wild's performance, while outstanding, doesn't provide most subtle interpretation of this music, and at times he takes some rather cringing liberties with the score. \n\n\nAmazon.com Customer Review\nFirst rate performance, February 17, 2000 \nReviewer: Bill (Los Angeles)\nI cannot rate all of the material on this disk, as I have the LP which only contains Rhapsody in Blue and An American in Paris. Nonetheless, this is the type of music that Arthur Fieldler excelled at, and Earl Wild is simply fabulous. \n\nOne danger with Gershwin is that his mixing of classical and jazz has flummoxed more than a few otherwise excellent conductors and pianists who seem to miss the jazz feel that the piece requires. Neither Fiedler nor Wild had this problem. The result is an exciting recording, and, consequently, my favorite one of these pieces.
This classical cd contains 7 tracks and runs 79min 23sec.
Freedb: 57129907

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Boston Pops Orchestra - Arthur Fiedler Conducting: George Gershwin: Rhapsody In Blue - An American In Paris (Hybrid SACD) CD Track Listing

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