Test

Sorry, two critiques.  First, Janos Starker's cello just doesn't sound right to my ears—it's lean and dull—in Tchaikovsky's Variations on a Rococo Theme (#3) from this collection. If you go back to the original recording this excerpt comes from, the cello sounds much more natural. Second, the left and right channels seem overly separated, with literally nothing or a very thin center image—this is not good mixing.

This Mahler No. 2 recording is one of the best I’ve come across for testing.

@richardbrand As a conductor without formal conservatory training, Mr. Kaplan faced significant criticism and rejection from the classical music world during the early stages of his conducting career. However, his dedication, scholarly commitment, and effective performances ultimately earned him praise even from Mahler scholars.

This recording - performed by the Vienna Chamber Orchestra and the Vienna Singing Academy Choir, and conducted by Gilbert Kaplan - features Mahler’s Symphony No. 2 in an arrangement for a reduced orchestra of 56 musicians, approximately half the forces specified in Mahler’s original score. Even when played through my modest system, the recorded sound is excellent—full of nuance, pinpoint instrumental clarity, and well-balanced timbral accuracy across strings, brass, winds, keyboards, voices, and percussion.  I try to avoid delving into musical interpretation (because it is kinda subjective) and simply enjoy the sonic marvel of the performance.

Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience at Hamer Hall in Sydney. It will definitely be one of the destinations on our list in the hopefully near future.