Surround sound, SACDs and DVD Audio

[Dave2002]

Apart from the query above, I'm also interested to note at least one example of 4 channel surround - see for example http://www.classicrecords.com/item.cfm?item=HDAD%202012

Was this recorded in 4 channels or has it somehow been faked during the reconstruction? I've not checked all the others yet.

[PJPJ]

Apart from the query above, I'm also interested to note at least one example of 4 channel surround - see for example http://www.classicrecords.com/item.cfm?item=HDAD%202012

Was this recorded in 4 channels or has it somehow been faked during the reconstruction? I've not checked all the others yet.

It appears to be real - I haven't heard this one.

[PJPJ]

Can someone decode HDAD 24/24-96/192 for me please?

The original analogue 35mm film was converted to PCM @ 24/96 for the three channel and 24/192 for the stereo programmes.

[Dave2002]

It appears to be real - I haven't heard this one.

Just noticed that this is also available as an SACD - http://store.acousticsounds.com/d/14...tichannel_SACD - the blurb gives some explanation of how it was recorded. The HDAD version seems still to be available, but this SACD is cheaper. OTOH there are newer SACDs which might be as good or better both technically and/or musically - such as Robert Spano's versions with the Atlanta SO (http://www2.concordmusicgroup.com/al...rlioz-Requiem/ ),and there may be others.

I can't really comment otherwise as not heard any of them, but this (Berlioz Requiem) is a work which really might benefit from some form of surround sound.

There is a 3 channel SACD from Charles Munch - http://store.acousticsounds.com/d/15...tichannel_SACD

Apparently there is also a 4 channel SACD from Colin Davis - http://www.arkivmusic.com/classical/...lbum_id=200914 - and we know that Davis is a power to be reckoned with in Berlioz, though having heard Spano live I'd say he is good too - but probably not a specialist in Berlioz.

[PJPJ]

I do have the Munch - it really is very good indeed. However, Davis was recorded in four channel splendour in Westminster Cathedral (I think, I'm too lazy to go downstairs and check the booklet) and both sound and performance are superb. If I had to keep a single performance it would have to be that one. And it's my excuse for having a multichannel sound system, and I'm sticking to that, m'lud.

There's Norrington, too, on Hanssler which is in surround, but I have not heard his recording.

Organ concertos on Linn, including the Poulenc, were recorded in Tonbridge School's chapel, the orchestra is front, and the organ behind you in the multichannel mix. Some may feel that's unrealistic, but it's what you hear sometimes in performances in cathedrals. And let's face it, Biber and Monteverdi exploited spatial effects in grand buildings and the few multichannel recordings of their works are wonderful.