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Post by julesd68 on Dec 6, 2018 16:47:36 GMT
I thought we’d have some seasonal music for December.
CANTATE DOMINO
Alf Linder (organ) & Marianne Melnäs (soprano)
Oscar's Motet Choir, Torsten Nilsson
This is a famous and much lauded ‘audiophile’ recording by ‘legendary’ sound engineer Bertil Alving in 1976. There have been a number of re-releases on different formats over the years and is currently still available
It just oozes atmosphere and has some wonderful Christmas music. I absolutely love the organ playing and tone - make sure you enjoy this at a goodly volume. What a combination this is, with the outstanding purity of voice of both choir and soprano; truly a recording on which all of the stars must have been aligned. ‘White Christmas’ is a slightly bizarre inclusion but they have to be forgiven for this ...
You will find some Swedish folk songs amongst more familiar names from different countries. In this regard I am reminded of our common heritage and culture in Europe, but I will say no more on that subject here.
I hope you find this music as uplifting as I do.
Season’s Greetings to all!
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Post by MartinT on Dec 6, 2018 18:37:20 GMT
Excellent choice, Jules. I have this lovely album on Proprius vinyl but shall listen to it again during the weekend.
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Post by Slinger on Dec 6, 2018 21:53:06 GMT
Absolutely lovely, Jules. 11/10.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 6, 2018 23:05:07 GMT
Great choice, Jules and lovely album. Easy top marks from me.
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Post by julesd68 on Dec 7, 2018 0:43:10 GMT
Absolutely lovely, Jules. 11/ 10.Great choice, Jules and lovely album. Easy top marks from me. Fab-u-lous. Can I ask if you had both heard the album previously? |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 7, 2018 0:59:07 GMT
Yes I have a copy on CD. It was first introduced to me by my Dad a few years ago, but only bought a copy myself a couple of years back.
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Post by MartinT on Dec 7, 2018 10:03:38 GMT
Still glorious on Spotify. I have the CD, too! 4/4.
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Post by jandl100 on Dec 7, 2018 11:01:22 GMT
Well, the album is new to me. I see it's available in Qobuz Hi Res, although I haven't indulged myself with that service yet. Hmm. Perhaps I haven't quite entered into the Festive Spirit yet. Not really sure what the excitement and enthusiasm is about. All the tracks sound the same - there's a vaguely dreary pomposity about it all, it kind of drags at the slow tempi they use - I guess I'm definitely not in the mood for this at the moment!  - I'll come back to it in a few days, I think.  {Bah, humbug} |
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Post by julesd68 on Dec 7, 2018 13:30:21 GMT
Yikes!  All the tracks sound the same? Not sure we're listening to the same album Jerry! Please do come back to it when you are feeling the yuletide vibe, for better or for worse as they say ... |
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Post by MartinT on Dec 7, 2018 13:44:50 GMT
I see it's available in Qobuz Hi Res Ah, thanks for that. Will have a listen to the Qobuz stream tonight. |
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Post by Slinger on Dec 7, 2018 15:01:22 GMT
I hate to sound all artsy-fartsy about it, and words like "transported" are anathema to me in reviews, but I got the sense of being in a warm church with candles glowing and incense wafting. That is the first, and quite possibly the last, time I will review an album in that manner, and it was a momentary thing, not a lasting experience, but that's how much I enjoyed it. I only had it on basic Spotify, but the Q5 did it some justice, and the sub said " thank-you" for the organ pedals. |
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Post by julesd68 on Dec 7, 2018 15:30:38 GMT
I hate to sound all artsy-fartsy about it, and words like "transported" are anathema to me in reviews, but I got the sense of being in a warm church with candles glowing and incense wafting. Yes, it very much gives me the Christmas 'feeling' that I'm looking for, that generally gets lost amongst all the crass commercialisation etc I think you know what I mean ... |
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Post by MartinT on Dec 7, 2018 15:49:17 GMT
It's on Qobuz in 24/192, no less. Sounds magnificent. The hi-res helps the massed voices remain individual rather than becoming homogeneous (for example when the choir enter after the soloist in Julsang which is titled Cantique de Noel in Qobuz).
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Post by SteveC on Dec 9, 2018 8:40:33 GMT
Like Martin, I have the original vinyl release, which I purchased in the 70's and have added the 352kHz/24bit hi rez download on my Melco N1ZH/60.2 for comparison. The LP still sounds fresh and atmospheric, even after all these years, but the DXD hi rez downloaded file is wonderful, capturing every detail, with a very low noise floor! I am not subscribed to any streaming site at the moment, so unable to compare with the Qobuz or any other version. www.hdtracks.co.uk/cantate-domino-352?___store=uk&nosto=nosto-page-search1 |
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Post by julesd68 on Dec 9, 2018 11:25:25 GMT
I'm listening again now on Spotify Premium - it really is excellent!
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Post by Deleted on Dec 9, 2018 11:29:57 GMT
Superb album, I generally play it a couple of times over Christmas and this year is no exception.
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Post by julesd68 on Dec 9, 2018 11:46:22 GMT
Nice one Paul - play it an extra time at max volume just for Jerry! |
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Post by Slinger on Dec 9, 2018 15:31:25 GMT
I'm finding this quite interesting. Everyone else seems to be listening to this album on equipment that squeezes the last iota of fidelity out of their chosen format(s) and yet playing it from my computer, using basic, free, Spotify, through my Q5/DL4s2/Sub setup I get exactly the same "vibe" and level of enjoyment from it. It's a Christmas miracle! Or maybe it really is all about the music sometimes, and not all to do with its delivery.
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Post by julesd68 on Dec 9, 2018 18:21:00 GMT
I would enjoy this music on an AM radio Paul!
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- I'll come back to it in a few days, I think. 
