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Alpha Classics and the original recording engineer Bert van der Wolf, Northstar Recordings, have gone back to the archives to find the original DXD masters of these wonderful performances that were originally released only on CD back in 2005. Bert has painstaking remastered those original files to release for them for first time in full high resolution stereo, multichannel (5.1, 5.1+4 Immersive, and 5.1+4 DXD Discrete Immersive) and Auro3D formats. Only now can we hear the terrific sonics Bert captured in DXD, one of his earliest recordings using this then new recording technology.

These new releases in full high resolution sound are stunningly good! …When first released, these performance received high praise. The level of historical insight and dedication of the Flanders-based Anima Eterna Brugge and their leader Jos van Immerseel regarding historically informed playing on period instruments is really remarkable. Today these performances remain imminently competitive in the catalog, but now in high resolution and multichannel they are simply stunning. In fact, if you are looking for one historically informed recording of these masterpieces by Beethoven, look no further. This set can be the solution for your search.

Of course, if you have other HIP performances, these by Van Immerseel and the Anima Eterna Brugge are a worthy complement that will bring out new insights to Beethoven’s possible intentions in composing any of these works. They are a joy to hear, with a warmth, humor and humanity that is so often missed. It is a richly rewarding cycle…

And the sound quality of these new files in full DXD resolution is stunningly good. Don’t be fooled by the 2005 original recording date into thinking these will have that early digital signature so often heard—they don’t. They are marvelous. And a treasure.

Rushton Paul - Source