Seiji Ozawa & Boston Symphony Orchestra Berlioz: Symphonie fantastique (The Original Source Series)

Only a few sound documents bear witness to the top-class artistic collaboration between exceptional pianist Emil Gilels, star conductor Eugen Jochum and the Berliner Philharmoniker. However, their joint recordings of the two piano concertos by Johannes Brahms achieved cult status and are still considered unsurpassed today (»unsurpassed pair of performances«, The Guardian). On the occasion of its 125th anniversary, Deutsche Grammophon is releasing legendary recordings in the highest sound culture: the new audiophile vinyl series The Original Source presents outstanding recordings from the 1970s in a completely new sound quality. For this purpose, the renowned Emil Berliner Studios have remastered and edited the original four-track tapes in 100% analogue quality (AAA) using technologies specially developed for the production of the series. The sonic differences from the original releases are considerable: greater clarity, more subtleties and improvements in frequency response, at the same time less noise, distortion and compression allow for an audiophile listening experience like never before. On 180g vinyl records and in a deluxe gatefold edition with original covers and lyrics, the copies of this series are released limited and numbered. They are accompanied by additional photos and facsimiles of the recording protocols and tape boxes, and an article explains the exact technical background.
The renowned Berlin-based Emil Berliner Studios are remastering 4-track recordings from the 1970s, using their own cutting-edge and 100% pure analogue techniques (AAA) to create versions of the highest possible audio quality. Compared to the original releases, the advantages in sound are outstanding: More clarity, more details and a better frequency response, less noise, less distortion, less compression – the highest possible audiophile quality which gives listeners the chance to enjoy this repertoire like never before.
Produced on 180g virgin vinyl by Optimal, these limited and numbered releases will be issued in deluxe gatefold editions featuring the original artwork and liner notes, with additional photos and facsimiles of the recording documentation on the inner sleeve. Furthermore, each release includes a note by Rainer Maillard/EBS detailing the technical background and procedure of the Original Source Series, and an additional insert with a photo of the original tape box. Each LP comes in a protective cellophane jacket with a sticker highlighting the USPs of the series:
• Pure analogue mixed & cut from the original four-track ½-inch master tapes (instead of the ¼-inch stereo copies)
• Mixed by Rainer Maillard & cut by Sidney C. Meyer directly from original analogue source at Emil Berliner Studios
• Manufactured at optimal media on 180-gram virgin vinyl
Original Source Series = no copy used, no extra devices in the signal pass, no digital sound processing at all; more clarity, more detail, and far less noise; Pure analogue.
"One of the most beautiful romantic representations." - Audio

Features:

• 180g Vinyl LP
• Double LP
• Pressed at Optimal
• Mastered from original sources
• Gatefold Jacket
• Made in Germany
  

Musicians:

• Emil Gilels, piano
• Berliner Philharmoniker
• Eugen Jochum, conductor

Selections:

Side A
Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)
Piano Concerto No.1 In D Minor, Op.15
1. Maestoso - Poco più moderato
Side B
1. Adagio
2. Rondo Allegro Non Troppo
Side C
Piano Concerto No.2 in B-Flat Major, Op.83 "Cadenza"
1. I. Allegro Non Troppo
2. II. Allegro Appassionato
Side D
1. III. Andante - Più adagio
2. IV. Allegretto Grazioso - Un poco più presto