Vinyl Review: Stravinsky Firebird, Debussy Afternoon Faun – Sheffield Lab 24 – Released 1985
Lab 24 – Stravinsky Firebird, Debussy Afternoon Faun, Leinsdorf – LAPO – 1985
Vinyl surface noise: 4+ (not pops and clicks)
Dynamic Range: 5
Stereo Imaging: 5
Image depth/perspective: 5
Overall frequency response: 4+
Side One
- DEBUSSY: Afternoon of a Fun
- Prelude a ‘L’Apres-Midi d’un Faune’
- STRAVINSKY: Firebird Suite (1910) Part 1
- Introduction: Kastchei’s Enchanted Garden; Dance of the Firebird
- Supplication of the Firebird
- The Princess’s Game with the Golden Apples
Side Two
- STRAVINSKY: Firebird Suite (1910) Conclusion
- The Princess’s Khorovody (round Dance)
- Infernal Dance of All Kastchei’s Subjects
- Berceuse
- Finale
This album was recorded in the Sheffield Lab Studios at MGM, Culver City, California April 29 1985.
The recordng was made with all-tube electronics using a single point stereo microphone in order to preserve the natural acoustic perspective.
At the time of its release, Hi Fi News & Record Review is quoted: ” This is a marvellous spatial sense and an awe-inspiring sense of dynamic power. One of the very best orchestral records I have ever heard”.
Lab 24 is the last in the Sheffield Lab, Direct To Disc series. It is a fitting climax to their outstanding achievements as they handed the batten over to several other labels who continued to carry the Direct To Disc torch.
Erich Leinsdorf was an Austrian-born American conductor. He died September 11th 1993 only eight years after making this album. He performed and recorded with leading orchestras and opera companies throughout the United States and Europe, earning a reputation for exacting standards as well as his sharp and forthright personality.
Let me say that this is a great recording, by a great orchestra, lead by a great conductor, recorded by a great team of engineers.
The most disappointing aspect was that I found the vinyl surface noise to be intrusive on a number of occasions. These performances are quite long, and as there are few highly dynamic passages, those that are, are quite impressive, the modulation levels are quite low in order to get the entire performance on the album.
Most of these tracks are slow, gentle and refined with great musicianship. They flow and ebb like the tide, gently washing over you, being punctuated by the occasional crescendo that can rock you world. Like the timpani’s on side two that provide quiet a rude awakening on several occasions. All the orchestral instruments are well detailed, clear, and well placed in the stereo image, which provides a good depth perspective of the orchestral layout. The studio ambience and natural acoustics can be clearly heard throughout all performances and adds a nice warmth to the sound.
There is nothing to criticize with the musical performance, it sounded flawless to my ears. All instruments sounding totally natural with no undue emphasis to any part of the frequency spectrum. I particularly liked the flutes, harp and timpani’s and the subtle appearance of a tambourine.
For those lovers of Stravinsky, and in particular the Firebird Suite, this is a fine performance that has been exquisitely captured using Sheffield Labs single point microphone technique and custom designed all valve signal chain.
The LAPO together with Erich Leinsdorf put on an outstanding performance, and this recording is a fitting close to Sheffield Labs Direct To Disc production.
Available on vinyl and CD from Discogs, and CD from Sheffield Lab.
