★
★
★
★
★
As it happened, I had the opportunity to compare the DXD (384kHz PCM in FLAC files) recording of this live performance with the original DSD 256 version in Stereo.
Leaving aside, for the moment, the quality of the performance the quality of the recording is about as good as it gets. But my home-made DAC revealed noticeable differences between the two formats:
On the DXD version, the differences between oboe and cor anglais, piccolo and flute were discernible, but required an increase of the amplifier gain to be sure. On the DSD version, the differences were immediately obvious even at low sound levels. On DXD, the brass sounded a little plastic, but on DSD it opened up into a whole section of different instruments lucidly.
Both the performance and the recording have a massive dynamic range, as they should for this exploration of fascism, Russian or Nazi military might and the corresponding fear. Noseda manages to maintain listener interest throughout all of the 73 minutes of this long symphony. Other performances take much longer and may drag a little in the later movements, but not this one.
The famous military theme with almost inaudible snare drum (at first) starts off so quietly (like Ravel's Bolero) that it is necessary to turn the volume up cautiously, bearing in mind the size of the crescendo that has just been embarked upon.
The second movement has myriad instruments playing the beautiful themes, including three flutes (one of them an alto, I think) and a bass clarinet. Highly enjoyable. The LSO woodwinds are particularly tight, and obviously enjoying themselves.
The later movements are less distinctive, but Noseda brings the whole symphony to a very satisfying conclusion. Not sure who won; was it the Nazis or the Russians.