Album Reviews

Previously only available on CD, this double 45 rpm set of classical music sonic spectaculars provides both demonstration quality sound and a fun ride even for those professing to not like classical music, courtesy of a world-renowned orchestra and conductor.

Eiji Oue and the Minnesota Orchestra run through the "usual suspect"—LIszt's "Mephisto Waltz #1", Mussorgsky's "Night on Bald Mountain", Dukas's "The Sorcerer's Apprentice", LIadov's "Baba Yoga" and a few other always enjoyable "war horses" made more so by the spectacular "Prof. (Keith) Johnson" recording done at Orchestra Hall back in 1997, Paul Stubblebine's mastering at 45rpm and the 200g QRP pressing.

Wide and deep sound staging, startlingly wide dynamics and lush orchestral timbres are common to most Keith Johnson recordings and particularly so to this one. The notably transparent harp glissandos at the end of the Liszt should give you "the tinkles".

Annotator Richard Freed adds a great deal of useful background on the musical choices—particularly for those not all that familiar with these familiar compositions that combine musical scare tactics with a healthy dose of good humor.

If you must, get the CD and then play it against this double 45 for your vinyl-doubting pals. Not sure if this was originally on analog tape or high resolution (176/24) digital but whatever was the source the sound is stunning (admission: first time I accidentally played it at 33 1/3 and it still sounded great!