Eliahu Inbal, Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra - Berlioz: Symphonie fantastique, Lelio or Return to Life (2023 ORT Mastering) - Japan 2 SACD Hybrid

Credits:

Eliahu Inbal, Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra

Description:

The first SACD release in high-resolution format using ORT mastering! The revolutionary masterpiece, the Symphonie fantastique, is a masterpiece of innovative orchestral technique. This is a rare recording that combines the Lelio with its sequel, the Lelio. Inbal's deep interpretation of the score depicts every detail of the score's depths. This masterpiece was selected as a "Record Geijutsu" (Recorded Arts) Special Selection. This is the first SACD release with high-resolution recording using the ORT mastering technology originally developed by Nippon Columbia. The CD layer also uses this mastered sound source. After the worldwide success of the complete Mahler symphonies, the Inbal-Nippon Columbia duo next began recording the works of Berlioz. This proposal came from Inbal, and although at that time Nippon Columbia was using Switner and others from the former East Germany for Beethoven and other German mainstream sources, they were expecting a German-Austrian performance with Inbal's innovative interpretation, and at first they were reluctant to do so. However, the lack of Berlioz in Nippon Columbia's catalog at the time and the fact that the recording cost could be kept low by co-production with Hessian Radio apparently led them to start the production. However, Mahler's reputation for one-point recordings has been growing since the middle of his career, and the challenge of Berlioz's grand orchestration may have also given him a boost. At the time, Nippon Columbia's recording team was planning to record the piece using Mitsubishi's 32-channel digital recorder in addition to the company's conventional 4-channel PCM recording equipment. The recording confidence and the fact that Inbal was in his early fifties, a time when new actions were likely to occur, led to a series of projects. The Berlioz works will be recorded together with the subscription concert of "Symphonie fantastique" and "Lelio" in September 1987 as well as Mahler's works.As the second Mahler recording by Inbal and Nippon Columbia, this "Symphonie fantastique" and "Lelio" were the talk of the town from the time of their release. Not only were there no concerns about the fact that they were French works performed by a German orchestra, but also the high level of connection that both musicians had established with the Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra made these albums highly acclaimed as performances that went deep into the inner workings of the music, rather than simply aiming for performance effects in a high-quality recording. In addition, the addition of "Lelio," which until then had few opportunities to be recorded, was highly effective, and was also welcomed in that listening to the two together deepened one's understanding of the work. The addition of "Lelio," which was rarely performed, is one of the best recordings of the work to date. Although the narration is a large part of the work, the beautiful Berlioz-like sound and the performance effect are superb, and the dynamic expression and fullness of the bass sound, including the "Symphonie fantastique," are also of great interest to audiophiles. This is the first SACD reissue of this well-established recording. (1/2)