Richard Strauss: Also Sprach Zarathustra; Camille Saint-Saëns: Symphony No. 3 (Organ)

Camille Saint-Saens (Composer), Richard [1] Strauss (Composer), Jorge Mester (Conductor), Pasadena Symphony (Orchestra), Hector Olivera (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Hector Olivera
• Orchestra: Pasadena Symphony
• Conductor: Jorge Mester
• Composer: Camille Saint-Saens, Richard [1] Strauss
• Audio CD (January 11, 2000)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Newport Classic
• ASIN: B00003Q02G
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #167,032 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Also Sprach Zarathustra: Sehr Beit

2. Also Sprach Zarathustra: 'Von Den Hinterweltern-Weniger Breit'

3. Also Sprach Zarathustra: Breiter Werden

4. Also Sprach Zarathustra: 'Von Der Grossen sehnsucht'-Bewegrer

5. Also Sprach Zarathustra: 'Von Der Freuden-Und Leidenschaften'-Bewegt

6. Also Sprach Zarathustra: 'Das Grablied'-Etwas Ruhiger

7. Also Sprach Zarathustra: 'Von Der Wissenschaft'-Sehr Langsam

8. Also Sprach Zarathustra: Schnell

9. Also Sprach Zarathustra: 'Der Genesende'

10. Also Sprach Zarathustra: Schnell

11. Also Sprach Zarathustra: 'Das Tanzlied'

12. Also Sprach Zarathustra: 'Das Nachwandlerlied'

13. Also Sprach Zarathustra: Langsam

14. Symphony No. 3: Adagio

15. Symphony No. 3: Poco Adagio

16. Symphony No. 3: Allegro moderato

17. Symphony No. 3: Maestoso

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Audiophile recording delivers as-if-you-were-there magic., January 30, 2001

By 

MichaelJohn (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Richard Strauss: Also Sprach Zarathustra; Camille Saint-Saëns: Symphony No. 3 (Organ) (Audio CD)

This is my favorite classical recording in my whole collection. This is a true audiophile recording for those seeking recordings with above standard audio qualities. This recording uses the binaural Neumann KU 100 dummy head and 20-bit resolution. Binaural recordings produce natural '3d' audio, in 360 degree direction using only standard headphones. This is not Dolby surround. This is two-tracks. You don't need a 5 speaker setup, all you need are headphones!

If you are a headphone user you should not hesitate one moment to get this, especially if you've never heard a binaural recording before. The difference is profound. When listening with headphones you will experience the orchestra as if you were there- all the instruments will be in their proper locations and distances all without using mixing board tricks.

Plus every instrument now has their natural dynamics. You are now hearing the orchestra AS it sounded EXACTLY as it was played. Soft parts are soft- loud parts are loud. What this means is that you will hear the composer's music AS it was meant to be heard- and all the fine details between instruments and their accurate positions and dynamics. The result brings the music alive as the composer intended, and not how some audio tech decides it should sound like.

STRAUSS: "Also Sprach Zarathrustra, Op 30"

Magnificant performance. From the famous opening to the very end- you are ENGULFED with brilliance, sensitivity, and utterly beautiful tones from all instruments. Difficult to turn off once it starts.

Saint-Saëns: "Symphony No. 3 in C minor (Organ Symphony)

This is the famous 'organ symphony' and again, the binaural audio brings this work alive with extraordinary realism. And the performance is superb. The last movement is amazing. At the ending climax finale, the orchestra and pipe organ combine and create the best audio experience possible in this great work.

There are two ways to experience a concert as if you were:

1. Actually be there, or 2. Listen to a binaural recording with headphones.

If you can't do number 1, then do number 2. It's the next best thing to actually being there.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars pull out from the archives, April 30, 2010

By 

Ret Law - See all my reviews

This review is from: Richard Strauss: Also Sprach Zarathustra; Camille Saint-Saëns: Symphony No. 3 (Organ) (Audio CD)

This is a great cd. Since my wife has been in the orchestra for 20 years I might be a little biased.

It is true that there is no better record of this symphony orchestra by saint-seans.

Given the challenging times with symphony orchestras I am grateful that the Pasadena symphony made this happen. I remember the night my wife had to go to the recording. It is a bit of history for me and my family. Incredible stuff.

Music is a great reminder of where we are and where we came from.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great record for an audiophile, November 3, 2006

By 

Barb "BS" (Turkey) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Richard Strauss: Also Sprach Zarathustra; Camille Saint-Saëns: Symphony No. 3 (Organ) (Audio CD)

You allmost feel yourself like that you're in the concert hall (thanks for binaural recording technology). You feel that you're sitting on the 7'th-10'th row on the concert hall. I highly recomment this cd to audiophiles. I have listened with my AKG K340 headpnone. Good quality hi-fi components and headphones are a must for getting the greatest pleasure.