Review by Jonalogic January 30, 2011 (4 of 6 found this review helpful)
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Strange that this has not yet been reviewed, because it is one of the few stand-out Membrans.
Yes, we all know that listening to Membran SACDs is a bit like Russian Roulette - lots of duds, but occasionally you get shot in the head. This is definitely one where they were firing live ammunition.
Here we have three Prokofiev favourites, very well played and performed, in more-than-decent sound. Surprised? Yes, so was I, especially as the last Membran I dared buy drove me out of the room screaming and ended as kitty litter (in case you're interested, it was the Menuhin/Elgar Enigma variations.)
The RPO sounds at ease with Yuri Simonov, and play well for him. As a rule of thumb, many of the better Membrans seem to have him at the helm, conducting Russian music which he obviously knows in his bones.
This may be the best Membran I have heard, sonically. It has a clean airy treble, well extended bass, transparent midrange and surprisngly potent dynamic range.The recording even makes a passable stab at staging, despite Membran's characteristic over-miking.
Any drawbacks, sonically? Some gain-riding, leading to obvious zooming in on soloists in quiter passages. Silly, and so unnecessary.
Recommended, particularly at this bargain-basement price.
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