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Paul Hindemith, Sergei Prokofiev, Béla Bartók: Miraculous Metamorphoses, Michael Stern/Kansas City Symphony - Hybrid SACD

Reference Recordings

AU$50.46
(7 reviews) Write a Review
SKU:
RR-132SACD
UPC:
0030911213220
Availability:
Items on stock ships within 2 days. To order out of stock items, contact us on orders@sepeaaudio.com. We will update you on availability.
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Calculated at Checkout
Edition:
1x Hybrid SACD, Playable on SACD player or standard CD player
SACD Disc Type:
Hybrid
Reference Recordings Cat#:
RR-132SACD
Released:
11.09.2014 in US
Genre:
Classical
Composer:
Paul Hindemith, Sergei Prokofiev, Béla Bartók
Conductor:
Michael Stern
Orchestra:
Kansas City Symphony
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Miraculous Metamorphoses

Hindemith Symphonic Metamorphosis of Themes by Carl Maria von Weber

Prokofiev The Love for Three Oranges—Suite

Bartók The Miraculous Mandarin—Suite

Michael Stern, conductor

Kansas City Symphony

A SUPERB NEW ORCHESTRAL RELEASE

View booklet here

This magnificent new symphonic recording with the Kansas City Symphony contains three classic modern masterpieces. It is also the premiere recording made in the orchestra’s new home, Helzberg Hall at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts in Kansas City, Missouri. Conductor Michael Stern’s interpretations of these great works have been captured in brilliant HDCD sound by GRAMMY®–winning engineer Keith O. Johnson. Producer David Frost won GRAMMY awards in 2005, 2009, 2011 and 2014 for Classical Producer of the Year.

This is Reference Recordings’ fourth release with the Kansas City Symphony, and we are most honored to work with them again. The Kansas City Symphony is the region’s only full-time professional symphony orchestra, setting the standard for musical excellence. Led by Music Director Michael Stern since 2005, the Symphony has experienced impressive artistic growth, garnering national and international acclaim. The orchestra’s 80 full-time musicians are area residents, and each season they touch the hearts of more than a million people through their concerts, educational programs and community outreach performances. They also serve as the orchestra for the Lyric Opera and the Kansas City Ballet.

For 38 years, Reference Recordings has been one of the most innovative and respected independent labels in the music business. Founded on the premise that most commercial recordings sound nothing like the live performance experience, Reference Recordings releases have been widely and lavishly praised for their dedication to high quality sound in the service of great music. Founder Tam Henderson (1998 GRAMMY® nominee for Producer of the Year), was joined in 1978 by engineer Keith O. Johnson. Some 130 projects later, RR is still recording what many consider to be the finest-sounding classical, jazz and blues discs in the world.

On This Recording

Paul Hindemith: Symphonic Metamorphosis of Themes by Carl Maria von Weber
 Allegro
 Turandot: Scherzo
 Andantino
 March
 
Sergei ProkofievThe Love for Three Oranges—Suite
 The Odd Fellows
 Infernal Scene
 March
 Scherzo
 The Prince and the Princess
 Flight
 
Béla Bartók
 The Miraculous Mandarin—Suite

Reviews:

“Great repertoire, matchless performances, and a superb recording combine for as good a rendition of a modern orchestra that we are likely to get. Highest recommendation.” —Lawrence Devoe, Blu-Ray Definition

“Performances that can stand with the best of them and sonics that sound fabulous even on my computer speakers combine for another Reference Recordings/Kansas City Symphony “hit”. One also has to give the Kansas City Symphony, Reference Recordings and all involved great credit for daring to record major standard repertoire pieces that often have some very heady competition.” —Don Clark (His Best Recordings of 2014 List), Pictures on Silence

“A recent CD on Reference Recordings featuring the Kansas City Symphony (KCS) conducted by Music Director Michael Stern shows they may be vying for a place among the best American orchestras. … Reference Recordings prides itself on producing high-quality live-performance experiences, and this disc is no exception. As with their other recordings, the music on this HDCD jumps out at the listener. It is clear and bright and captures the essence of a live performance. The KCS under the direction of Stern plays with clarity and crispness. Apparently, the KCS has been flying under the radar. But with this new recording, it is soaring higher and could be knocking on the door of the pantheon of American orchestras.” —Henry Schlinger, Culture Spot LA

“Mouth-watering and terrific music in good performances…The Kansas City Symphony plays with excellence and dedication, and Michael Stern solicits well-judged pacing and detailing…Worth considering” —ClassicalEar

“Stern and his players put the music across with dash and no little brilliance.”—John Quinn, MusicWeb International

“The Kansas City Symphony have been on a roll with Michael Stern…[Miraculous Metamorphoses] are works that provide conductor and musicians with a spectrum of atmospheres and colours into which they can sink their respective teeth. Stern and his orchestra do so to captivating effect, without resorting to sonic exaggeration. ….” —Donald Rosenberg, Gramophone

“Michael Stern’s Kansas City Symphony performance shows what can be achieved when a band on inspired form makes the effort to play what’s actually written. …It sparkles, abounding in oft-hidden detail.…” —Graham Rickson, The Arts Desk

SACD recordings carry 2 year warranty if treated properly. No returns of used product.

7 Reviews Hide Reviews Show Reviews

  • 5
    It sparkles, abounding in oft-hidden detail

    Posted by Graham Rickson, The Arts Desk on 2nd Nov 2021

    “Michael Stern’s Kansas City Symphony performance shows what can be achieved when a band on inspired form makes the effort to play what’s actually written. …It sparkles, abounding in oft-hidden detail.…”

  • 5
    Stern and his orchestra do so to captivating effect, without resorting to sonic exaggeration.

    Posted by Donald Rosenberg, Gramophone on 2nd Nov 2021

    “The Kansas City Symphony have been on a roll with Michael Stern…[Miraculous Metamorphoses] are works that provide conductor and musicians with a spectrum of atmospheres and colours into which they can sink their respective teeth. Stern and his orchestra do so to captivating effect, without resorting to sonic exaggeration. ….”

  • 5
    MIRACULOUS METAMORPHOSES

    Posted by John Quinn, MusicWeb International on 2nd Nov 2021

    “Stern and his players put the music across with dash and no little brilliance.”

  • 5
    Mouth-watering and terrific music in good performances

    Posted by ClassicalEar on 2nd Nov 2021

    “Mouth-watering and terrific music in good performances…The Kansas City Symphony plays with excellence and dedication, and Michael Stern solicits well-judged pacing and detailing…Worth considering”

  • 5
    It is clear and bright and captures the essence of a live performance.

    Posted by Henry Schlinger, Culture Spot LA on 2nd Nov 2021

    “A recent CD on Reference Recordings featuring the Kansas City Symphony (KCS) conducted by Music Director Michael Stern shows they may be vying for a place among the best American orchestras. … Reference Recordings prides itself on producing high-quality live-performance experiences, and this disc is no exception. As with their other recordings, the music on this HDCD jumps out at the listener. It is clear and bright and captures the essence of a live performance. The KCS under the direction of Stern plays with clarity and crispness. Apparently, the KCS has been flying under the radar. But with this new recording, it is soaring higher and could be knocking on the door of the pantheon of American orchestras.”

  • 5
    His Best Recordings of 2014 List

    Posted by Don Clark, Pictures on Silence on 2nd Nov 2021

    “Performances that can stand with the best of them and sonics that sound fabulous even on my computer speakers combine for another Reference Recordings/Kansas City Symphony “hit”. One also has to give the Kansas City Symphony, Reference Recordings and all involved great credit for daring to record major standard repertoire pieces that often have some very heady competition.”

  • 5
    Highest recommendation

    Posted by Lawrence Devoe, Blu-Ray Definition on 2nd Nov 2021

    “Great repertoire, matchless performances, and a superb recording combine for as good a rendition of a modern orchestra that we are likely to get. Highest recommendation.”