HD Tape Transfers and Horenstein Mahler3

HD Tape Transfers have finally released their new version of the Horenstein/LSO Mahler 3 from 1970.  This is an alternative tape capture from a renkown audio engineer than the one that was released by Unicorn at the time.  Apparently it required a fair amount of restoration work as HD Transfers first announced this months ago.  Its pricey, at $54, more if you want a physical disc version.

  Generally I find that most CD releases of Classical Music, even the first digital releases, are far superior to the lp mix .  A Prime Example would be Horenstein and the LPO Mahler Fourth, which is virtually unlistenable on lp but stellar on CD.  However, the Horenstein Mahler Three is one clear exception, where the digital transfer sucks.  The brass is up front and personal, like in your lap.  Gramaophone magazine did a retrospective review of this recording about a year ago and concluded that the CD release utterly ruined the recording.

   The HDTT release, to repeat, is not the same mix, as it was caught on an alternative set of equipment by a different engineer.  HDTT released a small download excerpt which appeared to have a more natural balance.  So  I shelled out for the new one and am awaiting delivery.

   This recording was my introduction to M3, back in my early twenties, and I have accumulated numerous other versions since, and I am not going to claim that this version is a must have.  The 1961 bernstein/NYP, well transfered to CD, should satisfy anyone.

  Anyway, I'l report back