[Lee Scoggins]

There was a really interesting post from Stephen at Audio Asylum where he mentioned some of the positive developments on the classical front for 2004. Good year for classical hirez. It is also mentioned that there are 555 classical SACDs currently.

1. Mercury Living Presence - first 5 titles out in February/March
2. Naxos just added an SACD section on their main site - first title out next week
3. PentaTone - a full schedule for the year, both new and RQR reissues
4. DG have announced 4 titles thus far, including the Argerich/Pletnev below
5. Mahler 2 and 4 from SFS/MTT
6. More from Telarc (24 in story on HFR)
7. More to come from ECM - reportedly six reissues then DSD recordings
8. More of the same (presumably) from Chandos, Decca/Philips, Harmonia Mundi et. al.
9. Dorian hopefully on-stream
10. More new labels (just recently Ars, Audite, Bayer, Brilliant, Col Legno, Farao etc.)

I am especially anxious to get the Mercury Living Presence SACDs.

[DanFe]

Stephen's website is really great. It's now www.sa-cd.net

[Dennis Nicholls]

I ordered the Herbey set of Beethoven symphonies, due out by DG on the 24th of January. This is the early 1960's set which to my mind is the better of his several versions. Although one reviewer said " for my taste Karajan treats Beethoven’s music as a brass band spectacular with added strings."

[Seth--L]

I wouldn't call that a "bang!" Labels are pushing core repertoire too much. For instance, Harmonia Mundi, currently one of the top 3 most exciting classical labels, finally released an Andrew Manze SACD, but it's Eine kleine Nachtmusik. Collectors like me are not looking to add another recording of this, or a Beethoven symphony, Symphonie Fantastique, the Mozart Requiem or The Rite of Spring to our collections just because it's in SACD.

Dennis,

FYI: The set has been available in Europe for quite sometime, so you don't have to wait until 1/24.

[Marc Colella]

Do we know what the first five Mercury Living Presence titles are?

That could be interesting.

555 classical SACDs, and jazz probably accounts for at least another 100. I like classical and jazz, but they really need to get more current mainstream stuff released.

[Seth--L]

Marc,

Bach: Six Suites For Solo Cello -- Starker
Respighi: Ancient Airs & Dances for Lute -- Dorati
Rachmaninov: Piano Concertos Nos.2 and 3 -- Janis/Dorati
Stravinsky: The Firebird (Complete);Tango; Scherzo à la Russe -- Dorati
Suppé: Overtures -- Paray

[Dennis Nicholls]

The Starker Bach and the Byron Janis Rachmaninov are sure buys for me.

[Marc Colella]

Thanks for the info Seth.

The Bach and Rachmaninov look tempting.

[Lee Scoggins]

Quote:

The Starker Bach and the Byron Janis Rachmaninov are sure buys for me.

Ditto. I also am interested in the Respighi.

Some of the Faulkner Naxos works are quite good as well and can be far from the core collections.

[Seth--L]

The Bach and Rachmaninov look tempting.

The most interesting aspect will be hearing the recordings in their original 3-track format, which Fine said she prefered over the current 2 channel down-mixes on CD. I imagine this will help the Janis/Rachmaninov recording where (IM0) the piano is too close and the balanced is tipped too much in its favor.

[Dennis Nicholls]

Well it's already February and the Mercury Living Presence Sack-Dees are AWOL. They aren't even listed for pre-order on Amazon yet. Has anyone heard any news on these items? Or do we have to send Rachael over to rough them guys up somewhat?

[Lee Scoggins]

Dennis,

I heard that the Mercurys were pushed back to March/April. Don't worry they will be worth the wait.