French Astree label

10-26-12: Geoffkait
Wait'll ya get a load of Harmonia Mundi recordings like Ancient Greek Music.

Yes, Harmonia Mundi France is a great label as well. I happened to listen just a few weeks ago to this recording ("Musique de la Grece Antique" conducted by Gregorio Paniagua), for the first time in many years. Fabulous!

10-27-12: Wchang
Not to hijack the thread, but I'm curious how many of us here are fans of Early Music...

Count me as one. I find that a lot of music from the Renaissance and other early periods can be delightful, in many cases in a fun sort of way. A couple of particularly noteworthy examples, which provide exemplary sonics and also happen to be on French labels:

"Images Galantes de la Renaissance"
-- l'ensemble Polyphonia Antiqua (Pierre Verany PV4791)

"Danses Anciennes de Hongrie"
-- Clemencic Consort (Harmonia Mundi France HM1003)

Regards,
-- Al

I also have several, both LP and Vinyl,and have been happy with all. Berkshire Records had been a good source in the past.

I haven't heard any Astree vinyl, which I bet sounds fantastic, but don't overlook their titles in CD when vinyl is not available. I've collected a number of their CD's over the years. Musically and sonically they are amongst the best in my music collection.

Many of Jordi Savall's recordings were originally issued on Astree and now can be found on his own label, Alia Vox, that he started in 1998. Alia Vox recordings are available in CD and SACD formats, but not LP. Everything I have heard from Alia Vox is musically superb with excellent recording quality.

Me! Esp. Hildegard von Bingen

I have Archiv mono LP's from 50's and they do sound magical too. But objectively not on par with lonly Astree I have! (obviously, there are 25yrs difference between the recordings)

Not to hijack the thread, but I'm curious how many of us here are fans of Early Music...

This is probably the best way to upgrade your system: find quality labels that have high standards when it comes to recording. Archiv has been around for a long time but they have a number of Baroque recordings (Trevor Pinnock) that sound rich and full even without any thing on the cover indicating "high definition" or super-bit mapping, etc. the Archiv Brandenberg Concertos are a good reference point. you can hear so many instrumental lines at once it may give you a headache...

Wait'll ya get a load of Harmonia Mundi recordings like Ancient Greek Music.

Thank you Almarg! I am actually already amazed, amazed, AMAZED!! After tranquilizing HF of my cart the sound became so beatifull that I almost had tears in my eyes...all that listening to the music I'd rather not be interested in otherwise...

I have about eight of their LP's, that were issued during the late 1970's and early 1980's. They are all among the best sounding recordings I have ever heard, and most are musical treasures as well.

Try to find some of their recordings of Paul Badura Skoda performing on an early nineteenth century fortepiano. You will be amazed!

Regards,
-- Al