Like Mikeh, I seem to be in a minority concerning Chandos' sound, although in regard to Handley's justly celebrated performances of all Bax's symphonies, recorded in BBC studios in Manchester. Accepting Nick's judgement that these venues are 'pretty neutral spaces acoustically' my reservations may arise primarily from the microphone set up.
Whatever the cause, I have always found Handley's set to be significantly compromised by a flat, back-of-the-hall orchestral image which does not convey the full impact of Bax's powerful climaxes and which is also somewhat lacking in definition. Some early reviews claimed superior clarity and impact for these recordings - qualities which, regrettably, I just don't hear. Comparison with Lyrita's incomplete series (engineered by Decca) clinch the matter for me: the venerable analogue Lyritas still have gloriously full-bodied, expansive sound which is, at the same time, as clear and pristine as a mountain stream. Surely this is the way to hear Bax.
Message Thread | This response ↓
« Back to index | View thread »
Thank you for taking part in the MusicWeb International Forum.
Len Mullenger - Founder of MusicWeb