BEETHOVEN / POLISH CHAMBER ORCH. – SYMPHONIE 7 VINILO HQ

Half-Speed Mastered on 180g Vinyl!
Side 2 Plays Backwards!

Recorded in 2005 at the church of Stella Maris in Poland, the Polish Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra are conducted by Wojciech Rajski in performing Beethoven’s 7th symphony.

The indomitable rhythmic insistence in Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 brought the work a considerable number of pictorial descriptions with the object of explaining the mysteries contained within the persistent repetition of the first movement’s motif. In addition to famous pertinent phrases such as «an apotheosis of the dance» (Richard Wagner) and «victory of the symphony over the supreme power of rhythm» (Walter Riezler), such allegorical quips ranging from «ancient wine festival» to «march against France» were bandied about. Equally as rich as the wealth of quotes about this unique symphony is the number of its interpretations, which range from an orgiastic dash to plodding, meek or pussyfooted versions. As can be expected from Wojciech Rajski, the former kapellmeister of Bonn’s Beethovenhalle Orchestra, his stalwart Polish Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra delivers a lively, fresh and sinewy performance. In accordance with the modus operandi of the company Tacet, audiophile tube-only technology was used for this recording thus guaranteeing sound reproduction of the highest quality. It goes without saying that tonal aesthetes and lovers of great symphonies will rush to get their copy of this disc without delay.

Half-speed is literally half the speed. But only during the production! When being played, everything runs perfectly normally again. This record requires no special treatment at all; it simply sounds better. It is as if the craftsman had taken twice as much time for his work. Not only the tempo is reduced at half speed, but also the pitch by a factor of 2. For example, a note of 40 kHz – Tacet recordings do indeed contain such high notes! – is transferred like a 20-kHz tone of a standard recording. Through this, electronics can process higher frequencies and the cutting stylus calmly cuts all the details into the lacquer foil.

Features:
• 180g Vinyl
• Side 2 Plays Backwards
• 1/2 Speed Mastered
• Inspiring Tube Sound
• Pressed in Germany

Musicians:
Polish Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra
Wojciech Rajski, conductor

Selections:
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
Symphony No. 7 in A Major, Op. 92
Side 1:
1. Poco sostenuto – Vivace
2. Allegretto
Side 2: (Play Backwards!)
3. Presto – Assai meno presto
4. Allegro con brio

Since Tacet re-entered the vinyl business back in 1999, barely 10 years after the supposed demise of the LP, they have ranked among the leading classical labels who continually delight their audiences with sparkling new recordings in this medium, claimed by many to be unsuitable for classical music. And now this! All 9 Symphonies by Ludwig van Beethoven performed by Wojciech Rajski and the Polish Chamber Orchestra in the flawless complete recordings on LP. Rhythmically crisp, secure in intonation, snappy, elegant, sensual, exciting, always transparent – all the advantages of a modern interpretation of Beethoven on modern instruments are united here. Some of the symphonies already existed as ‘Tube Only’ versions on LP. They are replaced here with new mixes that no longer originate from tube microphone, analogue tape recordings. Instead they offer other important merits, such as clearer details as a result of using more microphones. Further added benefits in production include half-speed – and/or backwards mastering, which Tacet have been famous for since their Bolero recording. There are 40 years of vinyl know-how behind this release. More information can be found on the LP sleeves.