Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion HiFi & HT Chat Re: Recommended Music

David Zinman's recently completed Mahler cycle with the Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich on RCA.

The performances are excellent and quite individual. It's a wonderful orchestra and hall (I played with them a few weeks ago ).

The sound is first class (listening in stereo so far) and the discs have now been collected into a beautifully presented SACD box set with bonus DVD, at an amazing price. This is particularly noteworthy because other multichannel sets are either collected into cheap boxes and downgraded to CD (Chailly Concertgebouw on Decca originally on DVD-A then SACD) or simply never collected and kept at exorbitant prices (MTT's San Francisco set, which costs almost ten times as much as Zinman's box set).

As we move inexorably towards the festive season I invite your favourite audio recommendations for the Christmas celebration.
The majority I have heard / been subjected to are low quality opportunistic attempts to get you to part with a few bob in the hope that it will enhance the spirit.
High quality is the criteria.
I will begin with Peter White "Songs of the Season" Happy to prepare lunch to this.
Looking forward to suggestions / recommendations from all genres
Hector

Musica Sacra, Richard Westenberg- Christmas Round the World (DG), good quality recordings, no Noddy though...

A Celtic Heartbeat Christmas would be my choice; a compilation from 1996.

Not really a recommendation but an experience. I had a couple of the boys round to do some vehicle diagnostics, but prior to that we had coffee with music on my system.

It is always fun to watch jaws drop this way, and so I explained a little about dynamic range and played "Summer Wind" Frank Sinatra and "Manhattan" Blossom Dearie.

They couldn't believe it, the quote was, "It just makes this music seem so current".

I did explain that I am at the very bottom of the quality tree and it gets a lot better, but that was too much for them. They couldn't seem to fathom as to how things could be better.

"It's like the band are in the room" was another one.

Still, I feel better about my system today, it does give one some proper perspective.

Enjoy your music, Chris

Nice one, Chris. Share the love !!!!

Per,

Thanks - yes, I have the Tilson Thomas, wonderful interpretation, and a rare full rendition with the middle movement which is customarily omitted!

In fact, as its a favourite piece of mine, I think the Dorati is actually one of the few I don't own, but I heard that very recording on the Anniversary system when I was lucky enough to have a quick dem at Rick's. Sounded great.

The other recording I love is on Reference Recordings Copland 100, Ejii Oue and Minnesota Orchestra. The couple of Bernstein recordings I have are actually great- old but they had a Sony Super Bit Mapping transfer to back in the late '90s which were rather good. I prefer the earlier New York recordings of Bernstein to his later LA ones, though...

I must say though, I do really like this New Years' performance. It has a liveliness and vigour, along with a passionate tone which really does the piece justice, I think!

Hi All,

I just managed to get hold of BB King and Eric Clapton's "riding with the king" and its comfortable the best recorded/sounding DVD audio disk I have.

I would love to know what your favourite discs are as these are getting harder and harder to find so I would like to buy while I still can.

My music tastes are varied and I currently have the following on DVD audio,

Linkin Park
Mot�rhead (just for ace of spades)
Fleetwood Mac, Rumours
Corrs
David Gray
Planets
Doors, riders on a storm (1st demo of Meridian DVD audio at Bristol)
Riding with the king
Seal the hits - also amazing SQ and difficult to find
Missy Elliot (poor)

Many Thanks
Brian

Blue Man Group, The Complex (DTS Entertainment) DVD-A .
"The Blue Men have pushed the envelope of surround-sound mixing and engineering."

Oh and also get:

Blue Man Group: How to Be a Megastar Live! Blu-ray 2009

Regards,
Carl

Thanks Carl,

I did have the blue man group the complex on DVD Audio but lent it to my brother who lost it!!!!

I will have to buy another copy. I had the pleasure of seeing them live twice in London, they are fantastic and I would recommend to everyone if you get the chance of seeing live.

Thanks

Just got Ben Howard "every kingdom"

Really enjoying this. Excellent acoustics that sound great on the 5ks

Also got John Mayers latest "born and raised". Very relaxing with a nice soft sound. Excellent recording.

Chris

Not sure if this should go in the movie or music section, but I just watched Sade Bring Me Home Live, excellent picture and sound... And a great performance. Highly recommended.