Both of these releases are Hybrid Layer Multichannel SACD discs. They feature Multichannel SACD, Stereo SACD and Stereo CD versions of the music on each album. They are playable on both SACD and CD equipment. Here’s more information on these two new SACDs:

Mahler: Das Lied Von Der Erde (The Song of the Earth)
Pierre Boulez conducting the Vienna Philharmonic
Hybrid Layer Multichannel SACD
(DGG Classics 0289-471635-2)
This Multichannel SACD by Pierre Boulez conducting the Vienna Philharmonic was originally scheduled for release on February 11th and was bumped to a February 25th release. “Das Lied Von Der Erde” is also known as “The Song of the Earth” by some classical music fans. This version of Mahler’s music is notable for it’s analytical approach as well as a strong performance by mezzo-soprano Violeta Urmana.

Album Perforers
Pierre Boulez, Conductor
Vienna Phiharmonic
Violeta Urmana, Mezzo-Soprano
Michael Schade, Tenor

Album Selections
1. Das Trinklied vom Jammer der Erde (Drinking Song of Earth’s Sorrows)
2. Der Einsame im Herbst (The Lonely Man in Autumn)
3. Von der Jugend (Of Youth)
4. Von der Schцnheit (Of Beauty)
5. Der Trunkene im Frьhling (The Drunkard in Spring)
6. Der Abschied (The Farewell)

Star Trek: Nemesis Original Soundtrack, Special Edition
Jerry Goldsmith
Hybrid Layer Multichannel SACD
(Varese Sarabande SACD 0302-066430-2)
Star Trek: Nemesis Original Soundtrack Special Edition is a Multichannel SACD version of the soundtrack album from the latest Star Trek movie. It is on the Varese Sarabande label that is distributed by Universal Music and carries a somewhat higher list price ($21.98) than the regular Stereo CD version ($18.98).

As was noted in our prior article on this SACD, the Star Trek: Nemesis SACD is a Direct Stream Digital (DSD) recording engineered by ace producer/engineer and long time Goldsmith collaborator Bruce Botnick. The album features Jerry Goldsmith conducting a 96 piece orchestra named the Hollywood Studio Symphony. Varese Sarabande says that the SACD version of the soundtrack is notable for being the first DSD recorded movie soundtrack being released on Multichannel SACD.

As to the SACD, engineer Bruce Botnick says “The mixes on this recording are live, with no remixes and only editing done between takes to perfect the performance. DSD recording technology captures the live performance with a greater depth, frequency response and dynamic range than has ever before been possible. Jerry Goldsmith’s score for Star Trek Nemesis, with its striking mix of electronics and an extraordinarily dynamic 96-piece orchestra, offered the ideal opportunity to marry great music with this new technology. This disc preserves a unique and historic event and represents a dramatic evolution in recorded sound.”

Album Selections
Selections:
1. Remus
2. The Box
3. My Right Arm
4. Odds and Ends
5. Repairs
6. The Knife
7. Ideals
8. The Mirror
9. The Scorpion
10. Lateral Run
11. Engage
12. Final Flight
13. A New Friend
14. A New Ending