AAA 100% Analogue This LP was Remastered using Pure Analogue Components Only from the Master Tapes through to the Cutting Head
Analogue Productions - AAPC 2150 - 200 Gram Virgin Vinyl
AAA 100% Analogue - Mastered By Ryan Smith at Sterling Sound - RCA LSC 2510
Limited Edition - Pressed at QRP Quality Record Pressings
The Absolute Sound Super Disc List Harry Pearson Super LP List
RCA Living Stereo Classical LPs — the gold standard for top quality orchestral performance and sound!
These records are definitive." — Michael Fremer, editor, AnalogPlanet.com Winner of a Gruvy Award, chosen by AnalogPlanet's editor, Michael Fremer, for vinyl records that are musically and sonically outstanding and are also well mastered and pressed.
"...I'd have to say that the usual stumbling blocks have been sidestepped. Great care has been taken to do the right things, starting with the way the decision to remaster these RCAs was made." - Jonathan Valin, The Absolute Sound.
Truthfully, I do not know if this pressing could sound any better. I haven't put it up against an original shaded dog with low stamper numbers, so you could argue that those original pressings still sound the best. But folks, you can buy this one on heavy, audiophile vinyl brand new at a cost considerably lower than a used and potentially compromised original press. To me, it is a no brainer. I heard things in this pressing that I didn't hear before." — Dr. Ryan Oldham, UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance & curator of classical music at Renaissance in Kansas City.
The Absolute Sound 40th Anniversary Best Sounding Music
One of the most sought-after Living Stereos and deservedly so, especially for the "Song of the Nightingale" which is one of Mohr and Layton's finest efforts.
The sound is truly wonderful on the Stravinsky too.
The original 3-track session tapes were used in mastering for this LP in the Analogue Productions reissue series.
Winner of a Gruvy Award, chosen by AnalogPlanet's editor, Michael Fremer, for vinyl records that are musically and sonically outstanding and are also well mastered and pressed.
Analogue Productions And Quality Record Pressings Puts You On The Podium:
A review of LSC-2150: Prokofieff’s Lieutenant Kije Suite (Op. 60) and Stravinsky’s Song of the Nightingale.
From the very first trumpet solo to the last silvery string tremolo, this record is engaging, polished, and expertly remastered.Short of transporting back in time and standing next to Fritz Reiner during the recording session, I can’t imagine hearing a more natural orchestral sound.
As you've come to expect from all Analogue Productions and Quality Record Pressings records, you'll enjoy the incredibly black quiet of this record. Before the music starts, or prior to/between movements, the record is free of any distracting pops and ticks.
With any luck, you’ve got your system tuned and ready. You’ll want to crank this recording up to truly enjoy the wide dynamic contrasts.In Prokofieff’s “Suite from Lieutenant Kije” Op. 60”., you’re immediately thrown into a world of quiet trebles. The opening trumpet solo is round and velvety, immediately contrasted by a bouncy arrangement of piccolo, flute, and snare drum. And after a short guttural string tutti, a brass ensemble forte entrance secures your attention with bravado and majesty.
If you’ve listened to an Analogue Productions release before, you know the extraordinary quiet of their pressings and that they’re experts at mastering percussion.The Prokofieff suite really showcases this. I find this particularly true in the complexity of the snare drum, sleighbell, and triangle sounds. Such rich overtones rise off of these percussion instruments that you have to wonder why you never heard them so lovely before. Just one listen to the Troika, and you’ll agree.
Other timbres are treated just as gracefully in regards to overtone. The tenor saxophone solo in the second movement has an amazing amount of depth.And in the Wedding scene, the subtle mixing of tuba and bass drum is full, lively, and charming. The fifth movement is handled wonderfully. The placement of instruments during the mix can make or break the multi-thematic layering of this stirring finale. The music is artfully mastered here and you may find yourself applauding after.
Did I mention I love how full the timbres are treated? How intact the overtone series remains? Nothing puts that to the test more than the early works of Igor Stravinsky. His “Le Chant du Rossignol”, an adaptation from his opera Le Rossignol, showcases unusual pairings of instruments (for the time period), causing his usual clash of instrumental colors. Whether you find this combination exciting or unsettling (or both?), the instruments are presented with wild, true tones.
Again, the percussion treatment is outstanding. The tam tam is smokey and mysterious, ringing with a low, long decay. The celesta (rarely recorded this well in tune, I might add) rings with a kind of precision that makes you question, “Am I sure this isn’t mallet percussion?” Subtler tones, like the harp and E-flat clarinet, seem to find their own space and voice in this thick textured work thanks to this remastering.
More difficult tones seem to jump off the record in a way that is difficult to believe. Muted brass and double reeds are outstandingly realized. Keep in mind, any muted brass instrument is subject to a rearrangement of its entire timbre - overtones included. To hear them presented so “true to life” is difficult to comprehend.
Articulations are sharp and agile, from fast-moving tongued flute lines to sharp brass interjections. All seem to have meat and an appropriate nod to room decay. Pizzicatos are lovingly treated as well, ringing with the entire body of the instrument. Everything from the silvery violin harmonics to the dark, haunting trumpet solo are beautifully presented on this reissue. Summary: Truthfully, I do not know if this pressing could sound any better. I haven’t put it up against an original shaded dog with low stamper numbers, so you could argue that those original pressings still sound the best. But folks, you can buy this one on heavy, audiophile vinyl brand new at a cost considerably lower than a used and potentially compromised original press. To me, it is a no brainer. I heard things in this pressing that I didn’t hear before. Seriously, I had to pull out the orchestra score in the Stravinsky! Short of hearing this performance live, I cannot imagine a better presentation.
• Limited Edition
• 200g Vinyl 33 1/3rpm
• Pressed at Quality Record Pressings
• Plated by Gary Salstrom
• Mastered by Ryan Smith at Sterling Sound
• Cut From Original Session Tapes
Musicians:
Chicago Symphony
Fritz Reiner, conductor
Selections:
Sergei Prokofiev (1891-1953)
Lieutenant Kije, Op. 60
Igor Stravinsky (1882-1971)
Song Of the Nightingale
ORIGINAL MASTER TAPES
AAA 100% ANALOGUE
We use the Original Tapes and work with only the Best Mastering Studios
QUALITY RECORD PRESSINGS
Plated and Pressed at QRP the world`s Best Pressing Plant on Virgin Vinyl
UNMATCHED QC
Meticulous Test Pressing evaluation and Quality Control
DELUXE PACKAGING
Highest Quality Jackets and Rice Paper Inner Sleeves
LIMITED EDITION
Less than 1,000 Records per Stamper
Released in Limited Quantities
