Violinist Joshua Bell’s performances of Tckaikovsky Violin Concertos is now available on a new Surround Sound Super Audio CD from Sony Classical that was released on Tuesday. The new SACD features the classical artist performing with conductor Michael Tilson-Thomas and the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra.
The disc is a Single Inventory Surround Sound Super Audio CD which features Surround Sound SACD, Stereo SACD and CD Audio versions of the music on the album. Sony Classical notes that the disc is “designed for use in both CD compatible and Super Audio CD players” on the back of the disc.
New SACD Packaging
The new Joshua Bell Surround SACD sports some new Super Audio CD packaging from Sony Classical. As with past Single Inventory SACD issues from the label, it uses the “SH” prefix number and comes in a traditional square edged Compact Disc case rather than the familiar Super Jewel Box case with rounded corners that most Super Audio CDs arrive in.
The album packaging features a label that notes the disc “plays on CD & Super Audio CD Players” rather than the former text “plays on CD & SACD Players”. Similarly the text inside the label shows “CD Audio, Super Audio CD Stereo and Super Audio CD Surround Sound” rather than “CD Audio, SACD Stereo and SACD
Surround Sound”.
Tchaikovsky: Violin Concertos
Joshua Bell, Violin with Michael Tilson-Thomas conducting the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
SACD Surround Sound/SACD Stereo/CD Audio
(Sony Classical SH 94832)
This is Joshua Bell’s newest album which was recorded this January at the Berlin Philharmonie in Berlin, Germany. Sony Classical says the album features “passionate new performances by the Grammy Award Winning Violinist”. It features the popular young classical violinist performing several violin concertos written by Tchaikovsky including a live recording of the Concerto in D Major for Violin and Orchestra along with Meditation in D Minor and Danse russe from Swan Lake. Accompanying Bell on the album is Michael Tilson-Thomas conducting the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra.
This is Bell’s second Surround Sound Super Audio CD, following an earlier Single Layer Surround Sound SACD edition of music from West Side Story issued a few years ago (Sony Classical SS 89358). It was produced by Andrew Keener, engineered by Arne Akselberg and replicated at Sony DADC in Terre Haute, Indiana.
Album Selections
Concerto in D Major for Violin and Orchestra, Op. 35 (Recorded Live)
1. I. Allegro moderato
2. II. Canzonetta. Andante.
3. III. Finale. Allegro vivacissimo
4. Meditation in D Minor, Op. 42, No. 1
5. “Danse russe” from Swan Lake, Op. 20 (Act III)
Availability
Joshua Bell’s new Surround Sound Super Audio CD of Tchaikovsky Violin Concertos is now available from music stores that carry Classical Music discs including Tower Records. At Tower, you’ll find it in the Violin Instrumentalist section with the regular Stereo CDs rather than in the Audiophile and SACD section as is the case with earlier Sony Music Single Inventory SACD releases.
It is also available from several web sites that carry Super Audio CD discs including CD Universe and Elusive Disc. Also worth noting is that the Sony Music Store web site has a sale underway on the Joshua Bell SACD. Rather than the regular list price of $18.98, the disc is currently on sale there for only $13.98.