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Beethoven: Symphonies 1-9 - Rajski

Beethoven: Symphonies 1-9 - Rajski

Tacet  0974-5 (3 discs)

Stereo/Multichannel

Classical - Orchestral


Beethoven: Symphonies 1 - 9

Bomi Lee (soprano), Agnieszka Rehlis (alto), Krystian Adam Krzeszowiak (tenor), Tareq Nazmi (bass)
Polish Chamber Choir Schola, Cantorum Gedanensis
Polish Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra
Wojciech Rajski (conductor)


The market for high-quality multi-channel recording is making great strides forward. A lot of good new recordings were presented recently at the High End Hi-Fi Show in Munich, and now we're offering one more: the first complete recording of all Ludwig van Beethoven's symphonies in phenomenal TACET Real Surround Sound in a box of 3 Blu-ray Discs! Wojciech Rajski and his Polish Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra unleash a five-and-a-half-hour firework display full of surprises. You can hardly believe your ears: was that really exactly how Beethoven wrote it? Yes, absolutely!

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  • 2.0 LPCM 24bit/96kHz
  • 5.1 DTS HD MA 24bit/96kHz
Reviews (1)
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Review by Graham Williams - July 3, 2016

The five individual SACD releases that together comprise this remarkable and unique set of the Beethoven Symphonies on the TACET label have appeared gradually over a period of ten years. Each has garnered much well deserved praise both for the consistent quality of the performances from the accomplished Polish Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra Sopot, as they are now called, and their fine conductor Wojciech Rajski. It is, however, the addition of TACET 'Real Surround Sound' that gives them an edge over the countless Beethoven Symphony recordings already available on disc, as with a careful surround sound set-up one can experience each of these nine masterpieces in a manner denied to recordings made with microphones placed as for a standard concert hall set-up.

These are the links to the reviews of these recordings on HRAudio.net written by me and my colleagues.

Beethoven: Symphonies 1 & 2 - Rajski

Beethoven: Symphonies 3 & 4 - Rajski

Beethoven: Symphonies 5 & 6 - Rajski

Beethoven: Symphonies 7 & 8 - Rajski

Beethoven: Symphony No. 9 - Rajski

The whole cycle has now been re-issued by TACET on three Blu-ray discs that, thanks to the extra capacity available from the technology, means three symphonies (in chronological order) can be accommodated comfortably on each disc. Pressing the red button on the Blu-ray player selects 5.1 TACET Real Surround Sound (24bit / 96kHz) which is the default option, while pressing the yellow button selects 2.0 Stereo (24bit /96kHz). It is worth noting that it is not necessary to connect the player to a screen as the usual functions Play, Pause etc. work as for a CD player.

The three discs are supplied in a standard double width CD box that also includes a sixty seven page booklet that provides extensive notes on the music, diagrams of the orchestral lay-out used for each symphony and a helpful guide to setting up one's surround speakers.

In answer to queries as to whether there is any difference between the sound of TACET's SACDs and Blu-ray discs Andreas Spreer, with refreshing honesty, writes “The answer is clear: no. Both the stereo and multi-channel versions are identical. On the SACD the signal is always saved with the DSD method, on Blu-ray PCM 24/96. Theoretically there could be a discernible difference, however I can't hear any and I've never heard of any colleagues that can.”

I concur with these findings, though those blessed with 'golden ears' may disagree. What is in no doubt is that TACET's pioneering recording process combined with Wojciech Rajski's refreshing performances add a further dimension to one's appreciation and enjoyment of these nine Beethoven masterpieces.

Copyright © 2016 Graham Williams and HRAudio.net

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Comment by Dave Dubbya - March 21, 2017 (1 of 1)

The performances of the symphonies are good and it makes a refreshing change to hear other interpretations. You will probably already own recordings of some of these and these versions may or may not replace them as favourites.

I bought this set as I wanted to experience Beethoven recorded using Tacet's 'Real Surround Sound' and very good it is too!

It is worth spending a little time getting your speaker placement/channel adjustment to suit your self first and you will enjoy a veritable immersive experience.

If you own a surround sound system and are a classical music fan then this set really is something you should add to your collection.