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HDTT Transfers: Steinberg's Brahms Cycle Now Complete

73.116.103.52
Posted on November 15, 2020 at 09:41:54
jdaniel@jps.net
 The 4th was my first Brahms Lp, (cover art unchanged), and I would listen to it while reading Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings," or while doing math homework in high school. The Lp IIRC was a cut-out and likely a couple of bucks, purchased in a musical instrument store that also had a pretty good Lp section. Fun times.

I could swear HDTT offered the 4th previously and I recall not being impressed at all with the sound, via sample download. That said, I am very impressed by the sound of the other symphony samples.

On my list!

Edit: I forgot to mention that the sound sample for the "new" issue of the 4th is very good. Close but not "etched."

 

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jdaniel - you are correct that HDTT used to offer an earlier incarnation. . ., posted on November 15, 2020 at 10:35:52
Chris from Lafayette
Audiophile

Posts: 26428
Location: SF Bay Area
Joined: February 17, 2004
Contributor
  Since: February 6, 2012
 . . . of their reissue/remaster of this Steinberg Brahms Fourth. The new offering which you just got is part of their "redux" series, where they remaster some of their existing recordings - sometimes with striking improvements. I remember being very impressed by their "redux" issue of the first two Beethoven Symphonies with Steinberg/Pittsburgh and asking Robert Witrak just what it was they did to get such improvements. What he told me at the time was that they didn't change their approach to the remastering process at all - they were simply able to use better equipment on the "redux" reissue.

BTW, a couple of weeks ago, I got a download (DXD - although I'm sure that was overkill - LOL!) of the same "redux" reissue of the Steinberg Brahms Fourth you're posting about. I very much agree with you that this new one is the best this recording has ever sounded. The only thing I miss (and I almost feel embarrassed about mentioning this) is a bit more "chiff" in the bow attacks in the string sections. However, I don't want to make too much of this because, unlike you, I did not own this recording on LP and I have no memory of what it sounded like on that format, and therefore no basis of comparison. (I'm only comparing the sound I hear on this new reissue to HDTT's most recent reissues of other repertoire, such as the first two Brahms Symphonies, both of which have a more noticeable "chiff" to their sound.)

 

Now, if I had used the word, "chiff".... : ) , posted on November 15, 2020 at 10:49:21
jdaniel@jps.net
 When I collected Lp's recently, I kept an eye out for the early box set but no luck.

The lp I purchased in the late 70s, (possibly '80 or '81) sadly represented "bottom of the barrel" pressing quality. Even if I could remember the sound, I'm sure it wasn't flattering.

For sheer early digital (!) beauty of sound, (and a damn good interpretation IMHO), I still have found memories of Wand's first NDR set on DHM. The pacing and luxurious string sound to be heard in the 2nd mov't is really something. It's coupled with a very decent 4th on a cheap RCA download.

Still, I'm looking forward to this Steinberg blast from the past, bought sound underheard. Who is Brahms? Who is Steinberg? We never forget our first.

 

Hey - I'm open to suggestions for a better, more accurate word [nt] ;-), posted on November 15, 2020 at 17:44:06
Chris from Lafayette
Audiophile

Posts: 26428
Location: SF Bay Area
Joined: February 17, 2004
Contributor
  Since: February 6, 2012

 

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