Manfred Honeck & Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Dvorak: Symphony No.8 & Janacek: Symphonic Suite From Jenufa Hybrid Multi-Channel & Stereo SACD

2015 Stereophile Magazine Record to Die For!
The Second Release in SACD Series with the Pittsburgh Symphony!
Thrilling Live Performances in Brilliant Audiophile Sound!
2015 Grammy Award Nominee for:
• Best Orchestral Performance
This release is the second in the "Pittsburgh Live!" series of multi-channel hybrid SACD releases on the FRESH! series from Reference Recordings.
The second recording by Manfred Honeck and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra has a special significance for the conductor, because he sees in it particularly clearly the Czech influence on Dvorak's composition. The symphonic sequence from Janáček's opera Jenufa, arranged by the Czech composer Thomas Ille, is fitting for this. In his appropriation in the manual, Honeck refers in particular to the use of the xylophone to connect the dances and emotions in this musical sequence. In terms of sound, the recording is blessed with the dynamic range of a large symphony orchestra and combines it absolutely appropriately with the warm sound of Heinz Hall in Pittsburgh. The declared goal of the sound engineers is to capture the sound of the orchestra in natural space and not to artificially create something new.
The recording itself was made using five omnidirectional DPA 4006 microphones and a variety of spot microphones. Technically, it's a DSD recording where the intricacies have been post-processed on a Pyramix mixing system. The recording is released as a hybrid SACD with stereo and multi-channel mixing and on the stereo CD track there is also an HDCD encoding.
"Well, this year they've [Reference Fresh! Label] trumped themselves with even more idiomatic performances and an even more naturally dynamic recording... The realization and performance of the suite from Janácek's Jenufa (conceptualized by Honeck, realized by Tomás Ille) is brilliant, and streets ahead of Peter Breiner's conducting of his own arrangement for Naxos. Conducted and played with appropriate style and verve and recorded in the best and most thrilling sound, this new disc immediately goes to the top of the list." - Kalman Rubinson, 2015 Stereophile Magazine Record to Die For!
For more than 116 years, the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra has been known for its artistic excellence. The PSO has a rich history of the world's finest conductors and musicians. Past conductors include the legendary names of Reiner, Steinberg, Previn, Maazel, and other greats. This tradition was furthered in fall 2008, when celebrated Austrian conductor Manfred Honeck became Music Director of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.
The PSO is critically acclaimed as one of the world's greatest orchestras, and has completed more than 36 international tours, including 20 European tours, eight trips to the Far East, and two to South America. The PSO was the first American orchestra to perform at the Vatican in January 2004 for the late Pope John Paul II, as part of the Pontiff's Silver Jubilee celebration.
The PSO also has a long history in the areas of recordings and radio concerts. As early as 1936, the PSO broadcast coast-to-coast, receiving increased national attention in 1982 when it began network radio broadcasts on Public Radio International. The PRI series with the PSO can be heard on Classical WQED-FM 89.3 in Pittsburgh. Many PSO recordings remain in print and available, and they have won critical acclaim and many awards.
This release and the entire "Pittsburgh Live!" series are recorded and mastered by the team at Soundmirror, whose outstanding orchestral, solo, opera, and chamber recordings have received over 70 Grammy nominations and awards! Soundmirror has recorded for every major classical record label, now including Reference Recordings.
"Good barely covers it. All eight of the releases that the Pittsburgh forces have brought out on Reference Recordings, with the aid of microphone whizzes from Soundmirror, come with the highest of recommendations."Four have received nominations for the Grammy for best orchestral performance. One, of Shostakovich's Symphony No. 5 and Barber's Adagio for Strings, won in 2018." - David Allen, The New York Times

Features:

• Super Audio CD
• SACD 5.1 Multi-Channel SACD Layer
• SACD Stereo SACD Layer
• This Hybrid SACD contains a 'Red Book' Stereo CD Layer which is playable on most conventional CD Players!
• Mastered at Soundmirror
  

Musicians:

• Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
• Manfred Honeck, music director

Selections:

Antonin Dvorak (1841-1904)
Symphony No.8 in E Minor, op.88
1. I. Allegro con brio
2. II. Adagio
3. III. Allegretto grazioso
4. IV. Allegro ma non troppo
Leos Janacek (1854-1928)
5. Symphonic Suite from "Jenufa"