The seeds had already been planted in the early 1970s when Deutsche Grammophon realised what amazing results could be achieved by recording on multi-channel tapes, using either four or eight channels. But it was not meant to be, as imperfections in the playback equipment at the time made it impossible for musical connoisseurs to enjoy these recordings in the way the artists, producers and engineers who created them intended — the new recording technology was clearly way ahead of its time. Now with the advent of the Super Audio CD, there is finally a system that makes it possible to release these magnificent recordings in the quality they deserve. There is finally a system that enables these magnificent flowers to come into full bloom.
The latest flower to unfurl its petals is this SACD of Joseph Haydn's Violin Concerto No. 1 in C major and his Sinfonia Concertante in B flat major. The pieces are performed by one of the 20th century's leading violinists, Pinchas Zukerman, former Principal Cellist of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Ronald Leonhard, oboist Barbara Winters and bassoonist David Breidenthal, together with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra. These are outstanding performances of often neglected repertoire by the great Classical master, finally realised in the finest sound quality.
