Author: Adrian Quanjer
Adrian Quanjer is a site reviewer at HRAudio, with many years of experience in classical music. He writes from his country retreat at Blangy-le-Château, France. As a regular concertgoer, he prefers listening to music in the highest possible resolution to recreate similar involvement at home. He is eager to share his thoughts with like-minded melomaniacs at NativeDSD.
Not Just Another ‘Ravel Highlights’
This new release, presented as a ‘concept-album’ around Maurice Ravel, is not just another Ravel Highlights. It is an emotionally led, deliberate choice. It has numerous points of interest not found elsewhere. Firstly, the use of gut strings and special bows, as was customary in Ravel’s time; Secondly, the chosen pianos, one of which ‘prepared’, […]
A brilliant example of music and sound serving the ‘niche’ crowd
It is no secret that High-Resolution Super Audio is under pressure. Over the years, some labels have given up altogether. Streaming has become the norm, so it seems. We, the ‘niche’ crowd, are indebted to all those still operating at the sharp end of quality, and to Native DSD for passing on the best sound […]
Exploring the Shadow of the Great Masters
Two Spanish musicians, whom I did not know before, embarked last year on a mission to bring works of great beauty, for too long hidden in the shadow of great masters, back into the general public’s interest. A laudable initiative; joining like-minded musicians adamant about neglected composers taking their rightful place in today’s musical landscape. […]
Praise for Reference Recordings’ Latest Beethoven Symphony
With this latest release, Reference Recordings continue to push standards beyond existing boundaries. I think that no collector is without at least several complete sets of Beethoven symphonies, covering old and new, small and big in all their facets. And I’d imagine that none carries away the 100 percent perfect prize. This latest release of […]
Spain’s Erudite Piano Trio
Some might feel that under the present circumstances one should stay away from anything Russian. I think that we ought to realize that not all Russians support the ruler and his ideas. Several artists have – and some even openly – criticized the Russian invasion in Ukraine whilst quitting their jobs in protest. Seen in […]
Russia and Russians are not always the same
In these dire times, Russia and Russians mustn’t be judged by the same token. It crossed my mind when I heard Dmitry Ferschtman playing the cello, accompanied by Mila Baslawskaja at the piano, in a series of romantic compositions by Glinka, Tchaikovsky, and Rachmaninoff. Nothing in this Cobra release can be compared to what is […]
An inconspicuous instrument in the middle?
An inconspicuous instrument in the middle? In a personal note, Dana Zemtsov says that there is no real shortage of good viola music. Despite general belief to the contrary, with this new release of rarely heard pieces, I tend to agree with her statement. On the other hand, and for all sorts of reasons, it […]
And when it’s done, the pleasure is yours
What is the secret? Find some good players, select music that is not yet (Mozart) or hardly (Beethoven) available in high definition, written by famously appreciated composers, and recorded by Jared Sacks. That’s all. And when it’s done, the pleasure is entirely yours. So, what more need I say? The logo? The cover of the […]
Rosanne Philippens & The Vondel Strings
It is said that many good things have their origin in bad times.The proof is here. No matter what national policies had to be followed, fact is that over the past two years most of international cultural life came to an abrupt halt. Empty venues, concerts postponed, musicians hoping for better times. However, and thanks […]
Aimez-vous Brahms? (Do you like Brahms?)
Photo credit: Marco Borggreve « Croyant voir en lui un être sensible à la musique, elle cède et, pendant plusieurs semaines, accepte la passion que lui offre le jeune homme ». Madame Paule, the main character in Françoise Sagan’s masterpiece “Aimez-vous Brahms”, could not resist the passion of the 14-year younger ‘beau garçon’, Simon, who invited her […]
An unexpected gift from Spain
Adrian Quanjer is back with a new DSD Review at the NativeDSD Music Blog. Here he reviews the recent album recorded & released by Eudora Records: Slavic Soul. The Pure DSD Editions in DSD 512, DSD 256 & DSD 128 are only available from NativeDSD. A composer doesn’t need to be an innovator to be […]
What would Brahms have chosen?
Photo credit: Felix Broede Adrian Quanjer is back with a new DSD Review at the NativeDSD Music Blog. Here he reviews the recent album released in the Reference Recordings Fresh! Series: Brahms 4 / MacMillan Larghetto by Manfred Honeck and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. Exclusively Available in Stereo and 5 Channel DSD 256, DSD 128 […]