Reference Recordings - RM-1514 - 180 Gram Virgin Vinyl 

Half-Speed Mstered by Paul Stubbleline - Limited Edition -  Pressed at QRP 

Cut & Mastered on a custom Cutting Lathe designed by Nelson Pass

The Absolute Sound Super Disc List   TAS Harry Pearson Super LP List

Nominated for the 2016 Grammy Awards for Best Engineered Classical Recording!

Reference Recordings offering this symphony as a half-speed mastered 45rpm LP really pays off. This approach gives the cutting head twice the amount of time to carve a plentifully wide groove for low notes while enabling smooth, detailed high frequencies. Consequently, sonics couple superb low-frequency weight and articulation with an exquisite depth of tonality, all within an envelope of acoustic presence, delivering a delightful concert-like experience. Just listen to the clear and obvious distinctions between the voices of oboe and cor anglais or the tightly plucked basses to appreciate the quality of this recording. Kudos goes to the Kansas City Symphony, conductor Michael Stern, the Reference Recordings team , as well as to the folks at Quality Record Pressings, where the LP was pressed, for this archetype of a modern vinyl record. Several fine recordings of this work are available, but this one has moved to the top of my list Sound 5/5 Music 5/5 The Audio Beat

Stern and his players convey an air of expectation. There's a pleasing warmth to the orchestral sound but at the same time there's plenty of definition. The sound seems very natural... The richness of the strings is seductive... They sing with overt warmth... Stern captures the spirit of the music in a way that seems just right... A delectable performance... A fine release... Anyone buying it will enjoy it very much." — MusicWeb

A Superb New Orchestral Release - Composed at his artistic peak, Camille Saint-Saëns said of his Symphony No. 3 "I gave ever thing to it I was able to give. What I have here accomplished, I will never achieve again."

New Reviews: "When the tempo changes to presto, the piano's arpeggios and scales are prominent enough to make their point without leaping out at you, just as the organ in the finale asserts its grandeur without overwhelming the orchestral palette...Even in a competitive market, this version has a distinct edge." --Geoffrey Norris, Gramophone complete review

"The experience is spectacular regardless of equipment. I've listened in a number of different ways already, and the overall effect is spine-tingling...I won't spoil your listening with tiny details, but the closing pages are simply a joy...I am certainly making room on my shelf for this thrilling sonic and musical experience." --Brian Wigman, ClassicalNet

"The KC Symphony, with superb direction from Michael Stern, sounds absolutely world-class. The orchestra has the full, rich, romantic sound that is so essential for 19th-century French music. And there is visceral excitement, too. The musicians are on fire, and they blaze with self-confidence...One gets the feeling that the Kansas City Symphony's burgeoning discography will stand the test of time and that its CDs will take their place among the classics."  --Patrick Neas, KansasCityStar

"I've never heard such a well-rounded account of this impressive symphonic work...and the final movement blows everyone else out of the water... The only way to truly enjoy recordings like this one is to play them loud -- the way a full orchestra and hefty pipe organ are meant to sound...Glorious music making reproduced with stupendous fidelity!"--Jean-Yves Duperron, ClassicalMusicSentinel

We are proud to present conductor Michael Stern's interpretations of these great works, captured in brilliant HDCD sound by GRAMMY® award winners Keith O. Johnson (engineer) and David Frost (producer). The Symphony has released four previous titles with Reference Recordings to great acclaim— Shakespeare's Tempest, the Grammy®-winning Britten's Orchestra, an Elgar/Vaughan Williams project and most recently, Miraculous Metamorphoses, which highlights composers Hindemith, Prokofiev and Bartók. Two additional projects have been recorded and slated for future release, including the music of contemporary American composer Adam Schoenberg (recorded in June 2014) and Gustav Holst: The Planets and Ballet Music from The Perfect Fool (recorded in January 2015).

The Kansas City Symphony is the region's only full-time professional symphony orchestra. Led by Music Director Michael Stern since 2005, the Symphony has experienced impressive artistic growth, garnering national and international acclaim. The orchestra's 80 full-time musicians are area residents, and each season they reach more than a million people through their concerts, educational programs and community outreach performances. They also serve as the orchestra for the Lyric Opera and the Kansas City Ballet.

Musicians:
Jan Kraybill, organ
Kansas City Symphony
Michael Stern, conductor

Selections:
Camille Saint-Saens (1835-1921)
Symphony No. 3 in C minor, Op. 78 "Organ"
Side A:
1. Adagio - Allegro moderato
2. Poco adagio
Side B:
1. Allegro moderato - Presto
2. Maestoso - Allegro