HDTT Death and the Maiden Symphony

Classical Court

From Perotin to Prokofiev (and beyond), performed by Caruso to Khatia, it's all here.

Posted by johngladneyproffitt (P) on October 22, 2023 at 10:31:50

"As is usual for High Definition Tape Transfers the sound quality is stunning in its clarity and impact. HDTT recordings are available from their website (highdeftapetransfers.ca) in a variety of download formats as well as CDs. I recommend this release without reservation to anyone who enjoys Schubert."

Review by Henry Fogel of our recent orchestral release from HDTT!

SCHUBERT Symphony "Death and the Maiden" (arr. András Vass); Overture "Rosamunde"
HINDEMITH Symphonic Metamorphosis on Themes of Carl Maria von Weber
Franz Anton Krager, cond; Mei-Ann Chen, cond. Texas Music Festival Orchestra, Houston; Moores School Symphony Orchestra, Houston
HIGH DEFINITION TAPE TRANSFERS 14076 (77:22) Live: Moores Op House University of Houston 2021-2022 Available in CD and multichannel formats at www.highdeftapetransfers.ca

The big news here is arrangement of Schubert's "Death and the Maiden" Quartet for full orchestra made by Hungarian conductor András Vass. The arrangement calls for the same forces as in Schubert's late symphonies. When I approach a transcription like this, I judge it on its own merits rather than comparing it with the original. By that standard, I found Vass's arrangement a surprisingly gratifying experience. The original is one of Schubert's most dramatic quartets, and the music responds to an orchestral treatment quite well.

There are already a number of recordings of Mahler's arrangement of the "Death and the Maiden" Quartet for string orchestra, but this is something quite different. On first hearing, it can be jarring to hear such familiar music in new garb, but the more you listen, the more you can appreciate Vass's fine orchestral work in Schubertian style. I won't claim that the experience is like discovering a new Schubert symphony. Vass's orchestration is so skillful, however, that for me his version deserves a place in the concert hall.

The performance offers further proof of the high quality of America's university music schools and conservatories. The annual Texas Music Festival gathers student musicians between the ages of 18 and 30 along with some young professionals. They play with polish, energy, and style. Conductor Franz Anton Krager is a professor at the University of Houston's Moores School of Music. This performance, however, is anything but academic. Krager's reading of the Rosamunde Overture is affection and just as well played.

The disc also offers a crackling performance of Hindemith' Symphonic Metamorphosis led by Mei-Ann Chen. The Taiwanese-American conductor is music director of the Chicago Sinfonietta and the Großes Orchester Graz in Austria. Chen is a talented conductor whose career is on the rise.
As is usual for High Definition Tape Transfers the sound quality is stunning in its clarity and impact. HDTT recordings are available from their website (highdeftapetransfers.ca) in a variety of download formats as well as CDs. I recommend this release without reservation to anyone who enjoys Schubert.

~ Henry Fogel, Fanfare Magazine
John Proffitt

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Topic - HDTT Death and the Maiden Symphony - johngladneyproffitt 10:31:50 10/22/23 (14)

Maybe, maybe. - sser2 14:01:11 10/25/23 (7)

I like the Mahler arrangement - diw 00:54:09 10/27/23 (0)

Good point - Chris from Lafayette 15:44:20 10/25/23 (5)

Imprint version - pbarach 04:13:08 10/26/23 (2)

There are so many good recordings of this piece - sser2 12:12:06 10/26/23 (0)

RE: Imprint version - Chris from Lafayette 10:36:50 10/26/23 (0)

"My imprint version was the Smetana Quartet's version on the Artia label" - Kal Rubinson 18:25:37 10/25/23 (1)

"all those Eastern European quartets slather schmaltz on their strings!" - Chris from Lafayette 01:11:45 10/26/23 (0)

Hi, John - I'm always a fan of your engineering on recordings! - Chris from Lafayette 13:09:16 10/22/23 (5)

RE: Hi, John - I'm always a fan of your engineering on recordings! - Rushton 07:32:06 10/26/23 (0)

RE: Hi, John - I'm always a fan of your engineering on recordings! - johngladneyproffitt 13:36:13 10/22/23 (3)

He's your friend untill you tell him how many mics you used...! - oldmkvi 14:14:00 10/23/23 (2)

RE: He's your friend untill you tell him how many mics you used...! - johngladneyproffitt 18:43:38 10/23/23 (1)

That was the correct answer - I'm still your friend! [nt] ;-) - Chris from Lafayette 10:38:09 10/26/23 (0)

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