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Recommendations for close miked classical recordin

Anyone have any recommendations for excellent sounding close-miked classical recordings? Perhaps I spent too much of my formative years listening to rock and jazz, but what I'm looking for are orchestral works recorded as if one were sitting right in the middle of the orchestra alongside the musicians. So many classical cds I hear sound dull and lifeless, like you're sitting half way back in an empty auditorium. I want it to sound like the conductor is standing right between my speakers! (Of course the performance has to be top-notch too, or else it's a pointless exercise.) I'd appreciate any pointers anyone can provide.
warrensomebody

Showing 2 responses by warrensomebody

warrensomebody OP
8 posts
 
Thank you all for the suggestions. I'm going to try and track some of these down. (BTW, listening to the clips of Webern's trios and quartets on Amazon -- sounds like the kind of recording I'm looking for, but pretty challenging musically!)

BTW, I've heard that Telarc tends to mic their recordings more "up front", but I haven't bought anything on Telarc for quite some time. Does anyone out there concur?
warrensomebody OP
8 posts
 
I guess I'm not so much interested in multi-miked / mixed recordings as simply ones that are recorded close up, with minimal hall ambiance. I think that just tends to dull the impact of the transients, string resonances, etc. I'd also like the drums to have a little more impact. I mean a kettle drum is all about drama, so why is it so often recorded in such a polite and aloof manner?

So maybe I should ask what you guys look for to ensure the best recordings sonically? Is there a reliable reference guide, some particular recording technique mentioned in the liner notes (natural soundstaging -- is that formally defined, or simply a casual term?), a particular recording company you look for? BTW, I just picked up Julia Fischer / Kreizberg "Russian Violin Concertos" on PentaTone SACD, recorded by Polyhymnia (former Philips Classics Recording Center people), and it meets my criteria.
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