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Tchaikovsky Classics
DTS // DVD Audio
List Price: Unknown [Buy now and save at Dvdempire]
The Music:
1. Andantino Simplice (excerpt)
2. Scherzo (excerpt)
3. Andante Cantabile
4. Andantino Marziale
5. Andante In Modo Di Candona
6. Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture
7. Andante from Symphony 6
8. Waltz Of The Flowers From Nutcracker
9. Menuet From Suite 4
10. Panorama from Sleeping Beauty Ballet
11. Scene 10 - Intro to Act 2: Swan Lake
12. None but the Lonely Heart
13. Andante Cantabile from Symphony 5 - E minor
Played by the London Philharmonic
The DVD
SOUND: Although I will admit that I am not a fan of classical music or do I know much about particular artists, I was quite interested to hear how the DVD-Audio format would render the delicate, subtle nature of the music. As with this kind of material, I was less concerned with how the music would be mixed - unless instruments were bouncing from speaker to speaker or some other ludicrous sound trickery. Thankfully, the entire album was very tastefully mixed for the 5.1 surround format, with the instruments nicely spread across the front speakers, with the surrounds offering additional instruments or re-inforcement.
The audio quality of the music was nothing short of wonderful. The strings and wind instruments came across with a natural, full, warm sound that lacked the kind of thin high notes that I've heard on some classical music CDs. This DVD-A presentation brought forth such a comfortable sound to listen to that it became far easier to get wrapped up in the music. There's also stellar detail to the recording; all of the instruments are captured clearly, but also balanced very nicely so no one element overshadows even some of the lighter, delicate parts of a particular piece. Light, appropriate amounts of bass added a fuller feel to the proceedings, as well.
Aside from the DVD-Audio 96khz/24bit presentation, there is also an additional DTS 5.1 version of the album included. The DTS version didn't sound quite as full-bodied to me, lacking the kind of remarkable clarity and detail that the DVD-Audio format offers. Still, like any of the DTS 5.1 surround-sound music presentations that I've listened to in the past, it still is a highly enjoyable way to experience this album. For those who have neither DTS or DVD-Audio, there is also a Dolby 2.0 presentation.
Extras: No extras.
Final Thoughts: Although I will freely admit that classical music is not my specialty, I can't see myself listening to a stereo version of this album after listening to it in either DTS or DVD-Audio 5.1. There's so much detail, so many delicate elements, such wonderful playing of the instruments, that when all of this is opened out into the listening space, it just gives every part of it a chance to shine. And, aside from being able to hear all of the details, the sound quality is terrific. Fans of the composer will be quite pleased with this DVD-Audio/DTS presentation.
