Holst: The Planets/R.Strauss: Also Sprach Zarathustra [CD/Blu-Ray Audio Combo]

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Continuing our rediscovery of DG’s 1970s quadrophonic ambitions before anyone had even HEARD of surround sound, comes William Steinberg’s famous readings of Strauss’ “Also sprach Zarathustra” and Holst’s “The Planets”, remastered at 24-bit/192kHz from the original 4-track tapes and presented on Blu-ray Audio in 4.0 Surround + CD (new stereo remastering). The booklet includes notes on the original concept and remasters – have a read of this great story.

Developed in the 1970s, Quadraphonic audio was the earliest consumer product recorded and presented in surround sound. Deutsche Grammophon was one of a few labels who embraced this new technology. Just as with today’s 5.1 surround sound standard, the goal of the quadraphonic format was to expand the sound using two additional speakers positioned behind the listener. A new 4-channel mixing console design was used for making recordings and special omnidirectional microphones captured the ambient sound on additional channels. Indeed, following the original issue of Steinberg’s and the BSO’s “The Planets”, Stereo Review was to comment that it “heralded a new era in recorded sound.”

Though quadrophonic releases were a commercial failure at the time they were issued – due to the high production costs and the costs of the playback equipment, coupled with the technical limitations of cutting the extremely high frequencies into vinyl as well as tracking these without distortion – present-day technology allows us to return to the original tapes and use the Blu-ray Audio format to present these recordings in high definition surround. DG have deliberately chosen not to use any additional sound processing so that the recordings can be heard exactly as their original quadrophonic ambition.

• William Steinberg’s famous readings of Strauss’ Also sprach Zarathustra and Holst’s The Planets newly remastered at 24-bit/192kHz
• 1 Blu-ray Audio disc (new quadrophonic remastering) + 1 CD (new stereo remastering) in DigiPack format.
• These recordings remain mementos of Steinberg’s brief tenure as the Boston Symphony Orchestra’s Music Director (1969-1972) – cut all too short due to ailing health – and are of the first rank both musically and technically
• Celebrating the 100th anniversary of the first performance of “The Planets”
• Includes booklet notes (E, D) on Steinberg and the BSO and an essay on quadrophonic recording

“The warm resonance of the Boston acoustic adds to the sentient feeling of Steinberg s performance and, with superb playing from the Boston orchestra , the lyrical power of the reading is projected splendidly.” Gramophone on ‘The Planets’

“Steinberg had the most unconventional stick technique that required us to listen very intensely. The need to watch him closely, along with his rock-solid rhythm, turned Hindemith, Strauss, and Holst into powerful statements.” Ronald Feldman, BSO cellist, 1967–2001

“For me one of the high points of the recording sessions [for DG] was the recording with Steinberg of Zarathustra and The Planets, both of which received what to my mind were definitive recordings.” Robert Barned, BSO violist, 1967–2016

“Steinberg creates great excitement in ‘Jupiter’ and elsewhere, and his orchestra is on its toes throughout.” Classic FM

“Sonically this recording [of ‘Also Sprach Zarathustra’], is warm and wide-ranging with timbres clear and true […] This is a carefully considered reading with the conductor [and] this performance grows in stature the more one listens to it.
[…] Steinberg’s ‘Planets’ […] never fails to connect and communicate. Indeed, if there’s one recording that delivers all the complexity – and skill – of Holst’s great score it must be this one.” Musicweb International

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