Sir Charles Mackerras - Moussorgsky: Pictures At An Exhibition (2001) [SACD]

Most audiophiles, when they think of classical records, treasure the true classic labels: RCA, Mercury, Everest, Decca and Vanguard. Thinking in terms of the Mt. Rushmore of classical labels, Vanguard holds a place of preeminence on that peak. These are gorgeous recordings. And now, remastered from the original analog tapes (and when available, from the original 3-track masters!) in the stunning clarity and life-like vividness of DSD, these Vanguard Classics files will be a cornerstone of any classical collection.

Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition and Khovanshchina Prelude were recorded on eight tracks, placing the listener at the center of the orchestra, with strings (left), horns, flutes, clarinets, oboes, bassoons, trumpets and harps arrayed left to right on the front three channels and the timpani/percussion, strings (right), trombones, tuba, bass drum/percussion arrayed left to right on the rear channels.