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In Classical music the effect of SQ on appreciation

In classical music there are often many different versions of a single composition that you may own or listen to. How much influence does SQ have on your appreciation?
As a recording is an artifact in itself, the presentation of the sonic factor has to come into the equation as does the interpretation.
in Mahler, as an example, the orchestration is vital.
A recording that is just so-so interpretively may be very attractive to the listener because of the sterling sonics of the orchestra.
So, how much does the SQ affect your judgement?

 

rvpiano

Showing 3 responses by rvpiano

rvpiano's avatar
rvpiano OP
2,727 posts
 

Newbie,

Yes, Richter’s Sophia recording is a cough fest.

As far as Carlos Kleiber’s Beethoven 5th I have the regular CD as well as a DVD-A and an SACD of the performance.

As you can tell, SQ IS important to me as well, although I don’t think think it’s healthy.

rvpiano's avatar
rvpiano OP
2,727 posts
 

Frogman,

“Start out with the focus truly on the music and I think a lot of the angst goes away.”

Yes, Very insightful statement.

That’s exactly what I believe I ought to do, but don’t always succeed.

rvpiano's avatar
rvpiano OP
2,727 posts
 

I feel I need to make one caveat.
As I mentioned in my opening post, the symphonies of Mahler are a special case.
They were really the impetus for my starting this conversation.
The orchestration is so rich, varied and complex in these works that the physical sound has more bearing on the final product than on most other composers’ works
Thusly, SQ becomes of paramount importance. A really fine performance which obscures the instrumentation can have a very deleterious affect on our judgement.
Conversely, a not so great but beautifully recorded account can be very seductive by the very nature of its sound.

In Mahler the orchestral pallet is all important.

One could make a similar argument for the impressionists.

 

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