Helmut Kägeler, Dresden Philharmonic Orchestra, Leipzig Radio Symphony Orchestra. - Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique, Schubert: Landscape for Large Orchestra (Tower Records Limited Edition) - Import SACD Hybrid

Credits:

Helmut Kägeler, Dresden Philharmonic Orchestra, Leipzig Radio Symphony Orchestra.

Description:

The new, high-quality recording of Kegel's "Illusions" is a must-see! The excellent recording from 1984, the last period of analog recording, is reproduced on the latest SACD reissue. Mastered only in the analog domain and converted directly to DSD! This is the 27th SACD hybridization project of the original ETERNA analog tapes in Japan, and the characteristic "Symphonie fantastique," which sparked the Kegel boom in Japan at one time. The original analog master tapes from the original country have been newly reissued for this release. This is an astonishing performance that stands out from all other Kegel recordings. The recording itself was made in 1984, at the end of the analog recording period, due to the delay of digitalization at ETERNA. The analog recording in its final stage of perfection captured every detail clearly, and the SACD release allows us to enjoy the performance in its entirety and in high sound quality, so we can re-evaluate this outstanding source that will remain in ETERNA's recording history, including sound quality. In addition, this reissue includes the coupling of "Landscapes for Large Orchestra," a large-scale work by the German avant-garde composer Schenker, composed in 1974. In the past, the approach to the "Symphonie fantastique" has often been to put brilliant orchestration at the forefront, and quite a few masterpieces have been produced. Among them, this Kegel disc stands out from the rest.The performance is characterized by a thoroughness that cannot be simply described as a deep investigation into the background of the piece and a performance interpretation that is in accordance with the content. Although the situation at the end of the former East Germany at the time and Kegel's own ideas may have been involved, no other performance has been able to express human madness and the anxiety and discomfort that lie deep within the piece to this extent. It is no wonder that this performance is regarded as the most typical Kegel performance. Therefore, even the bells in the fifth movement, which have been divided into two interpretations, deserve recognition for Kegel's excellent idea of employing not ordinary instrumental chimes but deeply horrifying tones that sound like mourning bells. The Schenker recording of this piece leaves a strong impression on the listener. Although an SACD hybrid version of "Symphonie fantastique" was previously released in Japan, this project, as well as this reissue, is not based on a copy of the original master tapes from Japan, but on the original analog master tapes from the home country, and the masters have been rebuilt from scratch to ensure the highest quality tapes. This means that you can fully enjoy the quality of a generation higher based on the condition of the high quality tapes. We hope that this will lead to a re-evaluation of these recordings that will surpass previous evaluations and is truly Kegel's way. (1/2)