This is one of your best videos. Even though you may not be able to get the box set it's still fun to hear about the history and what recordings are worth looking for.
Blu-Ray Audio discs typically contain only material sourced from analogue tape recordings because those recordings *can* contain frequency information beyond 44.1khz/16b CD quality. The digital recordings were made as Redbook CD quality, and thus can never go beyond that. Whether or not that actually matters in an audible way is a separate conversation entirely (I am of the opinion that it does not). Leaving out the 80s digital Tod und Verklarung/Metamorphosen disc was indeed silly. It is stunningly played.
Exactly, the actually opposite expectation occurs: converting an original digital signal to another digital, even higher sampling rate and higher ADC resolution, the original information are degraded.
Speaking about the remastering process of analogue signal I wonder if the conversion to 44.1 kH2 16 bits is done in 2 steps : first the blueray format (192kHz+24bits or whatever it is), then down sampling and re quantify in CD resolution? Or during the process they multiplex the analogue signal before conversion ?
@@brunoluong7972 Mu understanding is that magnetic tapes are typically scanned digitally at 96/24 or 192/24 resolution to give the mastering people plenty of headroom, and then they are downsampled to 44.1/24. So when a company like DG releases them on a Blu-Ray Audio disc, it's just files they have handy anyway.
@@matthewweflen Thanks that makes sense, and then they can archive the HR digital for future used without the need to working on the magnetic tape again. At some point the analog tape will be decay. I have heard that they heat up Solti's ring tape and try to fix the demagnetization. That doesn't sound good to me.
24-bit/296kHz means it's better than CD's 16-bit/44.1kHz, you will need high-end digital equipment or headphones for playback to hear the difference. It's like going from VHS to 1080p HD, night and day difference. If you have ever heard SACD's you'll know what I'm talking about.
Speaking of deluxe booklets, I remember going to Eve Queler's OONY concerts in the 90's where they gave you the program and a full opera libretto in a nicely-bound deluxe book.
I was never satisfied with Karajan's digital Zarathustra, which was overly polished and bright sounding. I always liked listening to my older brother's original 1974 Karajan LP, which for me was the only way to hear this piece, with Haitink's version from the same year a strong runner up. I eventually bought the digitalized CD version of the 1974 Karajan. However, I thought the sound was missing the bloom in the bass & didn't have the same punch I had remembered. I finally ended up buying my own vintage Karajan Strauss box of the original DG analogue vinyl LPs, incl. Zarathustra, and finally -- total satisfaction!
I have the Karajan 60s, 70s, 80s DG boxes which I purchased individually over a few years patiently waiting for decent deals. Bought all of them Like New and all 3 seem hardly played or even handled. Bought them for half of what people were selling the entire box for. In addition to the EMI Complete set, and a few assorted others, I have enough Karajan to last my lifetime. It would have been nice to include this Strauss Blu Ray audio with the bigger boxes. I do have the BR mini boxes of Bruckner, Sibelius and Tchaikovsky symphonies. Just seems like a haphazard effort by DG. These large LP size boxes are clunky and awkward. Sony did that with Bernstein's Columbia output before putting them in the big White box.
It always amazes me when these godzilla packages hit the market. All DG has to do is watch one of your videos to see how collectors store their discs. So, why do they package them like they are old vinyls?
I looked at this big juggernaut wondering who this box could be addressed to....? why doesn't universal music just put this collection in a small box....? who is going to buy this? newcomers to the world of classics? the fans, super fans of karajan....? these recordings have been reissued so much that I find this ''object'' totally useless.....the marketing sometimes leaves something to be desired among record companies......
Btw, I have this box. I got it because I was attracted to its anomalous packaging and I could get it at a good price. I do agree with Mr. Hurwitz that it is a mixed pleasure and I must admit that it was a stupid purchase. I already had a few discs and "Der Rosenkavalier" recording is also in a Salzburg some-kind-of-jubilee box that I listened to before I had purchased it.
However (doing my best Hurwitz impersonation), the best Karajan Strauss recording - and it is a toss-up between the Janowitz 4LL, is the Salome with Hildegard Behrens. She was young and fresh and makes a totally believable Salome. Oh, and the Herodias is Agnesss Baltsa! ;)
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I've recently been listening a lot to that digital 1980s Tod and Verklärung and it's GLORIOUS, especially the transitions.
This is one of your best videos. Even though you may not be able to get the box set it's still fun to hear about the history and what recordings are worth looking for.
Blu-Ray Audio discs typically contain only material sourced from analogue tape recordings because those recordings *can* contain frequency information beyond 44.1khz/16b CD quality. The digital recordings were made as Redbook CD quality, and thus can never go beyond that.
Whether or not that actually matters in an audible way is a separate conversation entirely (I am of the opinion that it does not).
Leaving out the 80s digital Tod und Verklarung/Metamorphosen disc was indeed silly. It is stunningly played.
Exactly, the actually opposite expectation occurs: converting an original digital signal to another digital, even higher sampling rate and higher ADC resolution, the original information are degraded.
Speaking about the remastering process of analogue signal I wonder if the conversion to 44.1 kH2 16 bits is done in 2 steps : first the blueray format (192kHz+24bits or whatever it is), then down sampling and re quantify in CD resolution? Or during the process they multiplex the analogue signal before conversion ?
@@brunoluong7972 Mu understanding is that magnetic tapes are typically scanned digitally at 96/24 or 192/24 resolution to give the mastering people plenty of headroom, and then they are downsampled to 44.1/24. So when a company like DG releases them on a Blu-Ray Audio disc, it's just files they have handy anyway.
@@matthewweflen Thanks that makes sense, and then they can archive the HR digital for future used without the need to working on the magnetic tape again. At some point the analog tape will be decay. I have heard that they heat up Solti's ring tape and try to fix the demagnetization. That doesn't sound good to me.
24-bit/296kHz means it's better than CD's 16-bit/44.1kHz, you will need high-end digital equipment or headphones for playback to hear the difference. It's like going from VHS to 1080p HD, night and day difference. If you have ever heard SACD's you'll know what I'm talking about.
Speaking of deluxe booklets, I remember going to Eve Queler's OONY concerts in the 90's where they gave you the program and a full opera libretto in a nicely-bound deluxe book.
This thing is like one of those enormous fake “checks” they give out at charity events.
Very cumbersome packaging for a mere twelve CDs.
But very lavish, too! This is for putting on your coffee table and making guests go: Ahhhhh!
I was never satisfied with Karajan's digital Zarathustra, which was overly polished and bright sounding. I always liked listening to my older brother's original 1974 Karajan LP, which for me was the only way to hear this piece, with Haitink's version from the same year a strong runner up. I eventually bought the digitalized CD version of the 1974 Karajan. However, I thought the sound was missing the bloom in the bass & didn't have the same punch I had remembered. I finally ended up buying my own vintage Karajan Strauss box of the original DG analogue vinyl LPs, incl. Zarathustra, and finally -- total satisfaction!
Keep the karajan boxes rolling🎉
I have the Karajan 60s, 70s, 80s DG boxes which I purchased individually over a few years patiently waiting for decent deals. Bought all of them Like New and all 3 seem hardly played or even handled. Bought them for half of what people were selling the entire box for. In addition to the EMI Complete set, and a few assorted others, I have enough Karajan to last my lifetime. It would have been nice to include this Strauss Blu Ray audio with the bigger boxes. I do have the BR mini boxes of Bruckner, Sibelius and Tchaikovsky symphonies. Just seems like a haphazard effort by DG.
These large LP size boxes are clunky and awkward. Sony did that with Bernstein's Columbia output before putting them in the big White box.
Geez David, you probably needed a dry run to work out where everything is here! I thought the booklet was rather lavish, what did you think? 😆
Till actually lacks ALL humor and wit/virtuosity. I totally agree about the digital Death and Transfiguration. It is glorious. Thanks David.
I hate those cardboard "pocket" CD holders. Hard to extract without touching or scratching the CD playing surface.
since they have a blue ray disc, why not include everything karajan did? i think the package is about the wonder of blue ray technology.
Are you going to review the Karajan complete opera recordings on DG box?
Of course.
Considering that this is a “numbered” “limited edition” it’s quite a let down. All these performances can be got individually.
It always amazes me when these godzilla packages hit the market. All DG has to do is watch one of your videos to see how collectors store their discs. So, why do they package them like they are old vinyls?
How come I don't see these 'huge boxes' in the stores? The only large format I see are vinyls.
What stores?
@@DavesClassicalGuide Bookstores, concert hall and opera house gift shops, what store do YOU go to?
@@papagen00 The implication here was: There are no (= hardly any [brick & mortar]) stores left.
Bingo!
Karajan is like the Beatles, they will continue to reissue his recordings in perpetuity.
That's what they are there for.
I'd be afraid to buy that because I know I'll try to open it and somehow drop it trying to get the discs out 😂
I looked at this big juggernaut wondering who this box could be addressed to....? why doesn't universal music just put this collection in a small box....? who is going to buy this? newcomers to the world of classics? the fans, super fans of karajan....? these recordings have been reissued so much that I find this ''object'' totally useless.....the marketing sometimes leaves something to be desired among record companies......
Very 'lavish!'
Btw, I have this box. I got it because I was attracted to its anomalous packaging and I could get it at a good price. I do agree with Mr. Hurwitz that it is a mixed pleasure and I must admit that it was a stupid purchase. I already had a few discs and "Der Rosenkavalier" recording is also in a Salzburg some-kind-of-jubilee box that I listened to before I had purchased it.
I wonder why you even have this…must be for the lavish 80-page booklet.
Must be.
However (doing my best Hurwitz impersonation), the best Karajan Strauss recording - and it is a toss-up between the Janowitz 4LL, is the Salome with Hildegard Behrens. She was young and fresh and makes a totally believable Salome. Oh, and the Herodias is Agnesss Baltsa! ;)
Also his last Carmen, the digital one, with Agnes Baltsa and Jose Carreras was stunning.
LP size booklets are unwieldy, at best.
They're excellent when you're dealing with opera libretti, though