Krauss 1953 Ring - Ofreo
Randy Lane
http://www.mdt.co.uk/MDTSite/product/CD/C809113R.htm
I picked up the Opera D'oro release last year for what I consider a
song and a dance (less than $35.00).
The Orfeo release is one CD less (13 CDs vs 14 CD for the Opera
D'oro). Yet the Orfeo set cost over twice what I paid for the Opera
D'oro.
I have been extremely happy with their transfers of some items, so...
Can Ofreo really improve this recording very much?
Has anyone heard the Orfeo issue yet?
Any direct comparisons made?
Oscar Williamson
>
> Can Ofreo really improve this recording very much?
> Has anyone heard the Orfeo issue yet?
> Any direct comparisons made?
I have it. The sound is excellent, all things considered. Only have
compared to online samples -- hardly a fair shake, but if you love
this Ring, I think it's definitely worth the $85. Master tapes!
lockleyt
Comparing the two I think that Opera D'oro did more of a remastering
job whereas Orfeo have issued a more straightforward transfer of the
original tapes. To my ears the Orfeo sounds more natural and vibrant,
but with a bit of tape hiss, where as the Opera D'oro is cleaner, and
quieter. Both are very good.
Tim
wkasimer
> Comparing the two I think that Opera D'oro did more of a remastering
> job whereas Orfeo have issued a more straightforward transfer of the
> original tapes. To my ears the Orfeo sounds more natural and vibrant,
> but with a bit of tape hiss, where as the Opera D'oro is cleaner, and
> quieter. Both are very good.
I agree; I'm normally not a big fan of Opera d'Oro's stuff - their
sources are often of questionable quality, their documentation stinks,
and their quality control is nonexistent. But for whatever reason,
they did everything right with this RING recording. I think that the
sound is marginally better on the Orfeo set, but the difference is not
huge.
And Orfeo irritates by squeezing Walkure onto three discs (Opera d'Oro
spreads it over four), which necessitates splitting the first scene of
Act 2. When the opera is presented on four discs, the first and third
acts are by themselves, and the second act can be split in several
ways that are less harmful to the music and drama. The cost of the
extra disc would have been negligible, both to the company and to the
consumer.
Bill
ivanmaxim
I had heard that Opera D'oro really cleaned up their act, both in
presentation and masterings. I too remember the bad old days when both
were extremely variable. I agree with Tim's assessment - the Orfeo is
sweeter and more natural - the Opera D'oro has less hiss - both are
excellent. I lean slightly towards the Orfeo since it sounds more like
the actual "Bayreuth" sound. Wagner Fan
Andrew Rose
Might I draw your attention to these reviews:
http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2010/Apr10/wagner_ring_paco039-41.htm
http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2010/June10/wagner_gotterdammerung_PAC042A.htm
--
Andrew Rose
Pristine Classical: "The destination for people interested in historic
recordings..." (Gramophone)
Oscar Williamson
>
> Might I draw your attention to these reviews:
>
>
> http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2010/June10/wagner_got...
>
> --
> Andrew Rose
Your XR-mastered needledrops cost $50+ more in 16-bit FLAC downloads
than Orfeo's disc package w/ documentation and mastered from original
sources. I do appreciate your work, but I think it's a no-brainer.
wkasimer
> Might I draw your attention to these reviews:
>
> http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2010/Apr10/wagner_ring...
>
> http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2010/June10/wagner_got...
Andrew -
I'm still waiting for the answer to a question that I've asked twice:
what original source did you use as a basis for your mastering?
Thanks.
Bill