Out of Print! Only a few copies left!
Limited Edition - 3000 Copies!
Esoteric Celebrates Their 30th Anniversary With This Audiophile SACD!
This item not eligible for any further discount offers!
ESOTERIC is proud to introduce a new hybrid Super Audio CD recording to celebrate the brandÂ’s 30th Anniversary.
This recording of piano works is the third title from ESOTERIC label, produced by bringing together the know-how of ESOTERIC and Octavia Records, with the goal being a high-quality DSD recording primarily targeting audiophiles. The resulting recording promises a new level of excitement by bringing to the listener not only high sound quality, but also the captivating musical power embodied in the original works themselves.
Super high quality recording
“Absolutely no compromise” – this is the mission statement of the ESOTERIC recordings produced by Motoaki Ohmachi. The recording took place at “i Plaza hall” located in Tokyo. The sound of i Plaza hall is the best available in Tokyo - very clear reverb, no unwanted reflections, woody and musical. We searched for the ultimate piano for this recording, and finally brought a very special piano into i Plaza hall; 150th anniversary Steinway Concert Grand D-274, No.562364, manufactured in the early 2000’s. This particular piano was selected and brought from Germany to Japan by a special request from pianist Krystian Zimerman for his performance in Japan.
The recording engineer, Mr. Tomoyoshi Ezaki of Octavia Records Inc., provided us the best sound quality. From the selection of microphone cables to his choice of special customized equipment, his approach is unique but common with ESOTERICÂ’s audio engineering style. Mr. Ezaki extensively and constantly had discussion with piano technician, Mr. Adachi and micro-adjusted the key touch constantly during recording session. The result is the best tonal response from the fingers of Zarafiants you can hear from this marvelous recording works.
Engineered to enable the selection and comparison of sound captured by each microphone, set at different positions. (SACD layer / Chopin works only):
The Chopin tracks were recorded using two sets of different microphones. On the back cover of the disc sleeve, there is a track list. You can choose between multiple microphone setup (“multi”) and one-point microphone setup (“one point”) for the two Chopin SACD layer tracks. For “multi” tracks, the microphone was set at audience listening position, and hall ambience recorded with another set of microphones was blended. For “one point” tracks, the microphone was set at player’s position without using ambient microphone to capture more direct sound from the piano.
Definitive sound quality sought from the DSD recording stage to the clock generator, lines, and power cables used in mastering:
The highest quality ESOTERIC products were used for the power cables and line cables used on the AD converter, the rubidium clock generator, and the hard disk drive. To reduce noise interference, devices were removed from racks and matched with compatible insulators. Our uncompromising approach was also extended to working times. Mastering was done late at night to ensure a more stable power supply.
Evgeny Zarafiants was born in 1959 in Novosibirsk, Russia, and raised by musician parents. At the age of eight, he entered Russia's most prestigious Central Music School at the Moscow State Conservatory, where he received an elite education for musically gifted children. There he studied along with schoolmates Mikhail Pletnev and Ivo Pogorelich. In 1975 he went on to study at the Gnessin State Musical College and later graduated with top honors from each of the following: the Orsk Music Academy, the Glinka Conservatoire and the Glinka Conservatoire Graduate School. During that time he won prizes at numerous piano competitions including the All-Russian Piano Competition.
It was, however, in 1995 that he rose to international prominence after winning the second prize at the Pogorelich International Piano Solo Competition in Pasadena, California.
The world of Evgeny Zarafiants is one of tremendously beautiful resonance and highly spiritual sound that deeply touches his listeners' hearts and strikes the chord with his audience, thus adding even more to his reputation as "The Poet of the Piano".
Features:
Limited Edition - 3000 Copies!
• Super Audio CD
• SACD Stereo SACD Layer
• This Hybrid SACD contains a 'Red Book' Stereo CD Layer which is playable on most conventional CD Players!
• Made in Japan
• Mastered at Exton Studio, Tokyo
Musicians:
Evgeny Zarafiants, piano
Selections:
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
Piano Sonata No. 14 in C-sharp minor, Op. 27-2 "Moonlight"
1. Adagio sostenuto
2. Allegretto
3. Presto agitato
Piano Sonata No. 26 in E-flat major, Op. 81a "Les Adieux"
4. Adagio - Allegro
5. Andante espressivo
6. Vivacissimamente
Frederic Francois Chopin (1810-1849)
7. Ballade No. 1 in G minor Op. 23
8. Scherzo No. 1 in B minor Op. 20
9. Scherzo No. 2 in B-flat minor Op. 31
Recorded January 24-25, 2017 at Inagi Municipal i Plaza, Tokyo
Limited Edition - 3000 Copies!
Esoteric Celebrates Their 30th Anniversary With This Audiophile SACD!
This item not eligible for any further discount offers!
ESOTERIC is proud to introduce a new hybrid Super Audio CD recording to celebrate the brandÂ’s 30th Anniversary.
This recording of piano works is the third title from ESOTERIC label, produced by bringing together the know-how of ESOTERIC and Octavia Records, with the goal being a high-quality DSD recording primarily targeting audiophiles. The resulting recording promises a new level of excitement by bringing to the listener not only high sound quality, but also the captivating musical power embodied in the original works themselves.
Super high quality recording
“Absolutely no compromise” – this is the mission statement of the ESOTERIC recordings produced by Motoaki Ohmachi. The recording took place at “i Plaza hall” located in Tokyo. The sound of i Plaza hall is the best available in Tokyo - very clear reverb, no unwanted reflections, woody and musical. We searched for the ultimate piano for this recording, and finally brought a very special piano into i Plaza hall; 150th anniversary Steinway Concert Grand D-274, No.562364, manufactured in the early 2000’s. This particular piano was selected and brought from Germany to Japan by a special request from pianist Krystian Zimerman for his performance in Japan.
The recording engineer, Mr. Tomoyoshi Ezaki of Octavia Records Inc., provided us the best sound quality. From the selection of microphone cables to his choice of special customized equipment, his approach is unique but common with ESOTERICÂ’s audio engineering style. Mr. Ezaki extensively and constantly had discussion with piano technician, Mr. Adachi and micro-adjusted the key touch constantly during recording session. The result is the best tonal response from the fingers of Zarafiants you can hear from this marvelous recording works.
Engineered to enable the selection and comparison of sound captured by each microphone, set at different positions. (SACD layer / Chopin works only):
The Chopin tracks were recorded using two sets of different microphones. On the back cover of the disc sleeve, there is a track list. You can choose between multiple microphone setup (“multi”) and one-point microphone setup (“one point”) for the two Chopin SACD layer tracks. For “multi” tracks, the microphone was set at audience listening position, and hall ambience recorded with another set of microphones was blended. For “one point” tracks, the microphone was set at player’s position without using ambient microphone to capture more direct sound from the piano.
Definitive sound quality sought from the DSD recording stage to the clock generator, lines, and power cables used in mastering:
The highest quality ESOTERIC products were used for the power cables and line cables used on the AD converter, the rubidium clock generator, and the hard disk drive. To reduce noise interference, devices were removed from racks and matched with compatible insulators. Our uncompromising approach was also extended to working times. Mastering was done late at night to ensure a more stable power supply.
Evgeny Zarafiants was born in 1959 in Novosibirsk, Russia, and raised by musician parents. At the age of eight, he entered Russia's most prestigious Central Music School at the Moscow State Conservatory, where he received an elite education for musically gifted children. There he studied along with schoolmates Mikhail Pletnev and Ivo Pogorelich. In 1975 he went on to study at the Gnessin State Musical College and later graduated with top honors from each of the following: the Orsk Music Academy, the Glinka Conservatoire and the Glinka Conservatoire Graduate School. During that time he won prizes at numerous piano competitions including the All-Russian Piano Competition.
It was, however, in 1995 that he rose to international prominence after winning the second prize at the Pogorelich International Piano Solo Competition in Pasadena, California.
The world of Evgeny Zarafiants is one of tremendously beautiful resonance and highly spiritual sound that deeply touches his listeners' hearts and strikes the chord with his audience, thus adding even more to his reputation as "The Poet of the Piano".
Features:
Limited Edition - 3000 Copies!
• Super Audio CD
• SACD Stereo SACD Layer
• This Hybrid SACD contains a 'Red Book' Stereo CD Layer which is playable on most conventional CD Players!
• Made in Japan
• Mastered at Exton Studio, Tokyo
Musicians:
Evgeny Zarafiants, piano
Selections:
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
Piano Sonata No. 14 in C-sharp minor, Op. 27-2 "Moonlight"
1. Adagio sostenuto
2. Allegretto
3. Presto agitato
Piano Sonata No. 26 in E-flat major, Op. 81a "Les Adieux"
4. Adagio - Allegro
5. Andante espressivo
6. Vivacissimamente
Frederic Francois Chopin (1810-1849)
7. Ballade No. 1 in G minor Op. 23
8. Scherzo No. 1 in B minor Op. 20
9. Scherzo No. 2 in B-flat minor Op. 31
Recorded January 24-25, 2017 at Inagi Municipal i Plaza, Tokyo
