jonesmj wrote:[]quote="]
....I hear a 50 year old recording...
Oh no, not those OLD analog recordings, like Reiner/Chicago, Szell/Cleveland, Leinsdorf/Boston, Ormandy/Philly, Walter-Bernstein/NY, Toscannini/NBC.....
Mark[/quote][/quote][/quote]
Since you opened the door, Marc.
Truth be told, and flame away all you want.... If you don't take into consideration the giant leaps in sound recording technology that have occurred in the past 50 years, there are some duds in those recordings. Further, the introduction of recordings has greatly influenced the generations that came after. Just having access to multiple versions of these works at the touch of one click has introduced and forced today's musicians to imitate and surpass models that are in place. Art and music is learned through imitation and it has now become easier to produce better sounding art because the musicians of today have more references. Also, knowing that they will be playing for more discerning and highly critical audiences than ever (Take this forum, for example) there is much more incentive and pressure to make sure that everything is perfect.
When I listen to the tuba this version:
http://youtu.be/BHZE0t10qpA?t=2m39s" target="_blank
I hear a Cleaner (because of the recording technology) and more 'Perfect' ( strict adherence to the music, clearer articulations, a musical style that has clearly been influenced by hundreds of tubists(directly/indirectly) a great concern for sound/technical/articulation and ensemble)
I don't hear all of those things in the New York phil recording from the 60's. I don't hear perfect ensemble, I don't hear clear articulation at all times. (Heck I don't even hear the f,f,d triplet in the first interjection (I can't distinguish between the first and second f))
Some of that is recording technology, some of that must be lack of exterior criticism, some of that is personal freedom and musicality that is not as present today....
....
I wish I had been alive to hear these legendary recordings live, I'm sure the New York Phil with Bernstein was
really something worth listening to live, the recordings certainly aren't bad, but to my ears, the recordings aren't the end all be all. I don't put them on the pedestal that others here seem to. Sometimes, I'd much rather listen to the (slightly more generic) technically 'perfect', sonically 'perfect' digital recording from 5 years ago. for example, one where the tuba is in a much better balance with the orchestra. (most likely due to the sound engineer's work)
These recordings that we have today certainly wouldn't exist if the older ones hadn't been made, I know that. They are the continuity, the extension and the result and sometimes, for some people that's just more pleasing.
I guess one cant have an opinion here. The notes are all 'there', but there is a 'roll' at the beginning of the notes.....like what you hear from some amateure french horn players. It's actually disappointing that some cant hear it. I've heard violinists and flute players talk about it, usually referring to horn players, and I know exactly what they mean. You do not hear much of that 'roll' or 'snap' or 'burbling' or whatever you call it in most modern pros because it would be unacceptable.
