REVIEW - DG ORIGINAL SOURCE BATCH #5 Part 1: Bartok Concerto for Orchestra, Bruckner Symphony No. 4

In the first of two videos I review the latest batch of Deutsche Grammophon's Original Source Vinyl Releases, mastered and cut all-analogue by Emil Berliner Studios from the original 4-track master tapes.
Here I talk about Rafael Kubelik's recording of Bartok's Concerto for Orchestra with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and Daniel Barenboim's account of Bruckner's 4th Symphony with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
I also discuss other landmark recordings of both works on vinyl and CD.
You can watch Part 2 of my review, which covers the Karl Bohm recording of Beethoven's "Pastoral" Symphony, and Claudio Abbado's Brahms Symphony No. 1, here:
• REVIEW - DG ORIGINAL S...
I mention my colleague at Tracking Angle, Michael Johnson's written reviews of these records. You can find those reviews at the links below:
trackingangle.com/music/danie...
trackingangle.com/features/bb...
You can read my own articles and reviews at trackingangle.com
Two articles on the Original Source Series:
Detailed introduction to the series, with technical information, review of first four titles (recently re-released), including Abbado's "Rite of Spring" (which I featured in a recent video on this channel):
trackingangle.com/features/re...
Preview of the upcoming Karajan/Bruckner cycle, remastered and cut AAA directly from the 8-track mastertapes:
trackingangle.com/features/ka...
Follow me on instagram: / music_on_record
Recommended channels for classical music fans and collectors:
The Ultimate Classical Music Guide by David Hurwitz
kzbin.info/door/Sf-...
Poetry On Plastic
kzbin.info/door/ShT...
Flowering Spikes
/ @floweringspikes
The most recent Classical Bums livestream:
kzbin.infoB3Z5azQB...
An invaluable guide to all the different pressings of the main classical labels:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8iJYk...
Another excellent resource for new classical recordings is BBC Radio 3's long-standing weekly broadcast "Record Review". Shows remain available to listen to for 30 days after first broadcast:
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06w...
My system, which has evolved over 20-plus years, is tube based and many pieces were acquired used. It was mostly put together with the invaluable help and ears of Eliot Midwood at Acoustic Image (acousticimage.com) who is also responsible for many of the fine recordings on the Yarlung label.
Well-Tempered Classic Turntable (round motor)
Micro-Benz Ruby 2 MC Cartridge
Phonostage: L.A. Audio (currently out of commission - so I am using the stellar Schiit Mani 2 phonostage)
Cary Audio CD/SACD 306
Preamp: Kora Equinoxe
Amps: Genesis Monoblocks 60 Amp Valve
Speakers: Silverline Sonatas with upgraded crossover and tweeters (Dynaudio)
Cabling: Aural Symphonics
Custom-made stands, with a Townshend Seismic Sink for the Well-Tempered turntable

[@JazzBums]

As a new classical collector, the level of information and description you pack into these videos is incredibly helpful! Your insights make navigating the world of classical music so much more approachable and exciting. Thank you for sharing your knowledge! -- Mike

[@musiconrecord6724]

Aw, thanks Mike! I feel the same way about your channel...

[@MichaelVinyl75]

Great job Mark! I am glad we have all this enthusiasm and great recordings in your videos.

[@coolcicada]

I really liked this deep dive into the various releases that are available. I appreciate you taking the time to make this video. I bought all four in this batch. I quite enjoy the Original Source releases.

[@analogueanorak1904]

Thanks for this fantastic highly informative video, Mark. I will look forward to part 2 with interest. Generally I’m limited to choosing one album per OS batch and it’s usually a piece I have failed to engage with when listening to other versions so maybe the Bruckner, but let’s see your next video first.

[@musiconrecord6724]

The Bruckner should definitely be under consideration - but the Beethoven and Brahms are wonderful too...

[@lokitio]

Fantastically informative as ever, Mark. Thanks!

[@musiconrecord6724]

Thanks so much for watching and commenting!

[@preservedmoose]

Wonderful information for someone new to classical music, like myself, thank you! I have all of the AP Living Stereo releases, so that I could get a broad overview of the genre, and they are fabulous. I have others too. As for this series, I have bought all of them so far and they are a revelation. I’m holding out on the next release (Bruckner 1-9) because there are so many records…I’m not sure if I would work my way through them, if I’m honest. Anyway, thank you for the reviews!

[@musiconrecord6724]

Maybe consider the Giulini set as a Bruckner "starter"....

[@eazydraw4681]

Being new to classical and building my classical collection almost exclusively from this series, your thoughts and background about the albums , music and how it’s been put together is really engaging thanks for taking the time outside of tracking angle

[@musiconrecord6724]

Thanks so much for watching (and reading).

[@Glorygood56]

Endlessly fascinating information, and detail. Many thanks.

[@musiconrecord6724]

Thanks for watching and commenting

[@glennsolva1567]

Thank you for making this eminent video. I already own the first Bruckner vinyl box. Now I'll try to find the second one. Hoping to find it eventually. Take good care of yourself. Best regards from Sweden/Glenn. 🎼🎶🎶🎻🎻

[@LyleFrancisDelp]

Ooooh!! I LOVE that first Abbado Brahms 1st...so much more than the later BPO recording. Thank you so much for highlighting this.

[@musiconrecord6724]

I discuss the Abbado in Part 2. Stay tuned...

[@glennsolva1567]

Forgot to say, Böhm is of course a given. I already have his Mozart, Beethoven & Schubert vinyl boxes. 😊

[@Andrew_from_Oz_Vinyl_Landscape]

Great video, ordered both the first 2 asap many thx !

[@musiconrecord6724]

You will not be disappointed!

[@NotedArchived]

Just last week I was asked from a friend who is new to classical music, which version of the 4th is best on vinyl. I pointed her to the new DG Original Source and the EMI Klemperer ;). Lovely overview, Mark. Always gleaning sage wisdom. Cheers!

[@musiconrecord6724]

Cheers, Michael! Both good recommendations. Glad to impart at least a little wisdom....

[@BruceFrazer100]

I had not realized that DG recorded in surround... I hope they issue Quad SACD's. As always your reviews are informative and enjoyable. Thanks

[@johnz4860]

Thank you for the video. I wonder whether the Original Source series albums will come out on SACD.

[@musiconrecord6724]

No - they all absolutely all-analogue. However, seek out the many single layer SACDs remixed and remastered from the original master tapes by Emil Berliner Studios. New ones are still coming out and the old ones are available - if not from retailers - from resellers. Prices vary, of course. They all sound fantastic! You can read more detail about these in my review of the first batch of OS vinyl releases in Tracking Angle. Link is in the description above.

[@jamesnordbeck382]

Many thanks for this excellent video and review of these two records. Have you heard any scuttlebutt about other labels attempting to recreate the same magic as DG OSV from their back catalogs?

[@musiconrecord6724]

Nothing so far. EMI, for example, could hire EBS because most of their 70s recordings have surround channels (and were actually issued as quadraphonic LPs). We shall see if anyone at those other labels takes notice... Most of them are doing vinyl reissues from digital files with largely mediocre results. DG is pointing the way forward....

[@LyleFrancisDelp]

Oh yes....Jochum's Bruckner....I much prefer the later set on EMI. The opening and closing of the Bruckner 5 is just mindshattering. I've had that exact LP set since my college days. I've since purchased the DGG set used and I love it as well. Like you, I wouldn't want to be without either.

[@musiconrecord6724]

Absolutely! Thanks so much for watching and commenting.

[@LyleFrancisDelp]

The Stein Bruckner 2 & 6 are easily among the all time best. I have them on open reel and I put them on regularly. How Steind somehow avoided a major recording contract is beyond me.

[@musiconrecord6724]

Stein is SO underrated. There are some wonderful recordings by him on the Bamberg Symphony box set that came out a few years ago.

[@DavidSmith-tl1qh]

Where is the best place to purchase these releases? I've always been a HUGE fan of Bohm and the VPO. The first classical LP I ever bought was the 70? recording of Beethoven's 3rd with Bohm /VPO on DG... still my favorite version to this day (I just turned 70!)

[@musiconrecord6724]

So there have been distribution issues in the US with past releases, but for this release thing seem much better. Go for specialty retailers like Acoustic Sounds and Elusive Disc, and Classical Center Stage (which is the US outlet for Universal, which owns DG). Failing those, you can order from Presto Classical in UK, and Deutsche Grammophon directly. Also check amazon.

[@DavidSmith-tl1qh]

Thanks!

[@henryoliver2833]

One Bruckner 4 oversight (IMO)... Gunter Wand!

[@musiconrecord6724]

Yes - but hard to find on vinyl.

[@MarkChristensen-yw9kz]

I'm on the fence about these, I've picked up two of the new releases which I have the original versions of. I actually prefer the original of one and I think the other is only marginally better than the original. I have the original Bruckner release also which I think sounds great so I think I'll have to hear the new one first to hear if it's really better. I know these keep getting recommended by you and others in the VC but I haven't found that to be true. I also think the original 70s DG get a bad rap. I have a large collection of tulips and later pressings and I've always been happy with them. Oh well, just another opinion and I thank you for your review which I enjoyed.

[@musiconrecord6724]

Well the most important things is that YOU are happy with what you have.... Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@edwardcasper5231]

I'm almost certain that the Barenboim Bruckner 4th was the first recording DG ever made with the Chicago Symphony.

[@musiconrecord6724]

Could well be...

[@chrisguygeezer]

How are DG making these historically less than spectacular sounding recordings, into audiophile reissues? How!?

[@musiconrecord6724]

There is a full, detailed account of all this in my first article/review in Tracking Angle - link is in the description above.

[@thomasroth4533]

The Kubelik Bartok is available as a SACD on Pentatone i 4 channel. No, an orchestra musician haven't got inside knowledge about orchestral sounds as they sit in the orchestra and not in the audience.

[@musiconrecord6724]

Yes, Pentatone did a series of CD/SACD reissues before EBS started their SACD only reissues. I'm not saying Michael has "inside knowledge", rather that he offers a unique perspective, especially since he is also a true audiophile with far more technical knowledge than I have. If you read his articles and watch his videos you will see he has great familiarity with the sound of different orchestras, and sections within those orchestras, in different eras, as represented on different recordings and recording labels. He is also able to describe for the lay person why those differences exist. Invaluable insights for anyone listening to classical records from the past to the present.

[@thomasroth4533]

@@musiconrecord6724 I don't always agree with David Hurwitz but his recent video where he states that orchestral musicians are not the best suited to chose chief conductors is spot on. Where do I find the EBS SACD onlys releases you mention?

[@musiconrecord6724]

@@thomasroth4533 the older releases you will have to look for on ebay etc. The newer ones will be on Acoustic Sounds and Elusive Disc. Prices vary enormously, so worth while taking the time to comparison shop.

[@iftekherahmad3376]

I think the classical music always sounds much better and more appropriate on CD.

[@musiconrecord6724]

Classical music can indeed sound excellent on CDs, especially these days. But these Original Source records are very special indeed because of how they are mastered and cut, which is truly breaking new ground in audio technology.

[@iftekherahmad3376]

@@musiconrecord6724Thank you for your comments. It is great to hear about the new technology on vinyl recording and the excitement it is creating , but have they eliminated the snap crackle and pops and the back ground surface noise? I had a very frustrating experience with my record collection before the arrival of CD in the eighties. Now I have a vast collection CDs - both sonically & musically I am much contended.

[@musiconrecord6724]

@@iftekherahmad3376 So long as you're happy that's what's important. Out of curiosity I have to say that I played one of these records without cleaning and not a single pop or click. Otherwise using a vacuum or cavitation machine will solve (mostly) all those pesky popping sounds. But switching back to LP is a big commitment, financially as well as practically, so sticking with CDs may make the best sense for you.

[@jgknick]

It is really a shame that these DG Original Source records are so noisy. I wish the quality control in this series was more like the quality control for the Tone Poets or AP's Atlantic 75 series....or even ECM's Luminessence series.

[@LyleFrancisDelp]

Bartok.....I have to be honest...Kubelik/Boston is easily the equal...and perhaps even better...than Reiner/Chicago.

[@musiconrecord6724]

I will not disagree! There are moments which are uttering thrilling and/or mesmerizing. It's great to have both!

[@mswdesign9164]

I wish you wouldn't try to cover every last base in your content. We have the entire internet at our disposal, and that's just a start- is anyone going to watch your video not knowing who Bruckner is? And heaven help anyone who thinks that Bruckner and Mahler are similar. This is not the kind of doctoring you need to offer the confused. I suppose we can only hope that content like this amounts to advocacy that will produce new listeners, new fans- but in a video about $50 LPs? Are we all afraid that expressing actual expertise in a way that isn't spoon-fed is going to be seen as stuffy? Oh, God, now Jacqueline?

[@musiconrecord6724]

Sorry you feel that way. The records and the music stimulate thoughts and discussion and, of course, this being the internet, you the viewer can readily pick and choose what and how much you watch. But I do appreciate you watching and commenting.