|
 Music
A- | Recording A-
| Extras N/A |
Recommended!
artists Erich Kunzel & Cincinnati Pops
Orchestra, King'Singers
label Telarc International (SACD-60540)
2001 | Classical - A Cappella
Hybrid
multi-channel | play time 55:45
Multi-channel & stereo SACD
(6-channel & 2-channel
original DSD
recording),
CD hybrid layer (stereo PCM)
Summary: This SACD is a superb musical
performance by Erich Kunzel and the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra (one of my
personal favorite orchestral groups). For this rendition of some of
the Beatles' greatest hits, they are joined by the a cappella group
King'Singers (a group of six men) on some tracks, as well as King'Singers
going a cappella on others. It's a splendid mix of orchestral,
orchestral and vocals, and a cappella performances in one album. The
SACD opens with a spectacular orchestral version of Eleanor Rigby that
will undoubtedly be a demo track for many SACD-capable audio systems
(including yours truly's). In track 10, King'Singers performs the
song in a cappella. This collection of Beatles favorites were
marvelously arranged and expressively performed. There are my
favorites, since Beatles' tunes are so universal. My only minor
gripe was that I thought the overall tone was a slightly on the somber
side. Beatles fans who also enjoy orchestral works and a cappella
performs should definitely add this album to their collection.
Recording: This is another great recording
from the audiophile label Telarc. The Cincinnati Pops was recorded
with its full orchestral weight and visceral impact for tracks where the
orchestra played exclusively without vocals. The tracks with
King'Singers and the Pops collaboration were well mixed, though the
orchestra didn't quite as open as in the Pops only tracks. The
King'Singers consistently came across clearly with a well centered image
spread across the front soundstage in both their a cappella performances
and collaborative performances with The Pops. The bubbling water at
the beginning of Octopus's Garden is uncannily real. I
thought my house sprung a leak. Recording engineer Michael Bishop
judiciously used the surround channels in the multi-channel DSD recording
for capturing the acoustic environment of the performance, without
needless gimmicky re-mixing of effects into the surround channels.
Kudos. Audiophiles, audio enthusiasts, and music lovers are sure to
enjoy this marvelous recording.
Tracks: Eleanor Rigby (orchestral version), All
You Need Is Love, When I'm Sixth-Four,
Michelle, Octopus's Garden, Across
the Universe, Ob-la-di, Ob-la-da, Penny Lane, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely
Hearts Club Band, Eleanor Rigby, Because,
Yesterday, Here, There and Everywhere, The
Long and Winding Road, Hey Jude, Let It Be
(legend: King'Singers a cappella, King'Singers
with Cincinnati Pops, Cincinnati Pops)
Extras: 28-page booklet (12 pages describe
the artists, the rest describes the SACD format, multi-channel audio, and
this particular recording)
Compatibility notes: This
hybrid
multi-channel
SACD contains high resolution 6-channel and 2-channel audio tracks that
are compatible with multi-channel and stereo SACD players.
Additionally, a hybrid audio CD layer allows play back in conventional
audio CD players and CD-ROM drives. For more information, read these
SACD compatibility notes.
SACD released December 2001 | reviewed
4/29/2002
List $19.99 | online $19.99 | order from Telarc
for $19.99
Let us know what you think about this SACD
review, write to us at Staff@TimeForDVD.com.
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Associated equipment used in evaluation: Sony ES
SCD-C555ES Super Audio CD 5-disc
player, Sony
DVP-S7700 reference DVD player, Sony
KP-61V45 61" rear projection TV (4:3 screen aspect ratio), Sony ES STR-V444ES A/V receiver, four
B&W CDM 9NTs as left/right main speakers
and left/right surrounds, B&W CDM CNT center channel speaker, Monster Cable M-series S-Video cable MSV-500, Monster
Cable Interlink LightSpeed 100 (Toslink) optical cable, Monster Cable
Interlink 400 MKII interconnects, Monster Cable
Original speaker cables in bi-wire configuration with Monster Cable twist-on gold-plated banana plug
connectors, Lovan Sovereign T HiFi audio
rack, and Sony MDR-V600 studio monitor headphones. Our home theater equipment was calibrated
with the Video
Essentials DVD.
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