News

Accentus Music's Má vlast  D2D Release Update

Michael Fremer  |  Jul 27, 2020

According to Accentus Music, which will release this 3 LP 45rpm direct-to-disc set, the 1,111 copies limit has no particular significance. It just seemed like a 'nice number'. The significance I see is that it will probably quickly sell out!

According to label manager Christin Linße, the worldwide release date will be September 4th, 2020. Pre-order links will "be available soon", she said. The box includes a 32 page booklet in German and English as well as a certificate signed by producer Rainer Maillard.

COMMENTS
Jim Tavegia's picture
Submitted by Jim Tavegia on Mon, 2020-07-27 10:42

As many as you could as long as the quality remained high? Would they not sell all they pressed?

kimi imacman's picture
Submitted by kimi imacman on Mon, 2020-07-27 11:56

Hi Mikey, Thank you for the early heads up on this release. This music is new to me as is most classical to be honest but I’ve definitely heard Moldau before and not from the Tree of Life film either; wonderful nonetheless. I’ve only heard Sheffield Lab direct cuts and although the sonics are great, the music sucks. This project promises to thrill and can’t wait to receive my copy ordered from Amazon.de as still not available from the U.K. site.

Question though: Do you know if the preview head on the lathe is tube or digital?

Michael Fremer's picture
Submitted by Michael Fremer on Mon, 2020-07-27 13:12
You are trying to punk me but you failed. There is no "preview head" of course because there is no tape to "preview". Instead the lathe operator must manually vary the pitch with someone reading the score and acting as the "preview head".
Jenn's picture
Submitted by Jenn on Tue, 2020-07-28 03:05

Wagner? Prokofiev? Harry James? Tower of Power? Mozart? You're very hard to please.

Michael Fremer's picture
Submitted by Michael Fremer on Tue, 2020-07-28 08:40
As with any label, some suck but many are fantastic as we both know.
kimi imacman's picture
Submitted by kimi imacman on Mon, 2020-07-27 13:18

Must try harder!

kimi imacman's picture
Submitted by kimi imacman on Mon, 2020-07-27 13:21

Given the choice, if you had the option of the same performance AAA one-step or this outfit’s D2D which would you go for in your estimation Mikey?

Michael Fremer's picture
Submitted by Michael Fremer on Tue, 2020-07-28 08:38
An AAA "one step" would be first recorded to tape. This D2D is a more direct recording method since there is no tape. Because only 1111 copies will be pressed it too will be "one step". There's no need to make a father/mother and stampers. So it's no contest. This D2D would be preferable.
kimi imacman's picture
Submitted by kimi imacman on Tue, 2020-07-28 09:00

Thank you Michael, I did indeed assume fathers & mothers would be made. That not being the case whets my appetite all the more; can’t wait. No doubt we’ll be expecting an 11/11 review sometime soon.

Analog Scott's picture
Submitted by Analog Scott on Wed, 2020-07-29 11:55

Most D2D LPs have been 3 step. There is a good reason for making the first two steps. Plates show wear as early as 500 pressings. For this to be a one step it would likely be limited edition of 300 or less just to give wiggle room for defects, non numbered promo review copies and other prurposes. Otherwise the last pressing off the plates will likely be noticably degraded. That would be ashame.

TGR's picture
Submitted by TGR on Mon, 2020-07-27 17:38

I have been emailing Ms Linsse for several months about this release, since I first read the Gramophone article detailing the recording of this, early in the year. Hrusa, who I have seen perform live once, seems to be a quite talented conductor, and interestingly, at age 39 this is his third go at Ma Vlast, and the second with the Bamberg Symphony. I also now own the recent BPO D2D of the Bruckner 7th - but I like Smetana more than I like Bruckner. You'd have to go a long way to beat the BPO production values, though.

Michael Fremer's picture
Submitted by Michael Fremer on Tue, 2020-07-28 08:39
This D2D shares the BPO D2D's production values.
TGR's picture
Submitted by TGR on Tue, 2020-07-28 08:43

You know, I didn't write clearly. I was talking about the elegance of the packaing and presentation, not just the recording. BPO's productions (I also own the Tchaikovksy 6th recently issued, which is clearly digital and doesn't share the fine sound of the Bruckner) are superb, in a word. Having said that, the report on the Accentus issue is that it is meant to be a deluxe package as well.

Rodan's picture
Submitted by Rodan on Tue, 2020-07-28 15:24

I have to say that I'm a bit disappointed in the BPO's production values after purchasing the Rattle/Beethoven set (#428) and the Haitink/Bruckner D2D (#522). In the case the Beethoven, the vinyl was ticky and noisy on a couple of the discs; ditto for the Bruckner, which was annoyingly noisy toward the end of Side 1. No complaints about the performances; however, I won't be shelling out the kind of dough the BPO asks for their LPs again unless they improve their quality control.

kimi imacman's picture
Submitted by kimi imacman on Tue, 2020-07-28 04:18

Sorry, I’ll qualify that if I may. The ones I’ve heard are not to my taste, musically but I don’t doubt there are some good performances, sonically outstanding of course but I always worry that musicians are conscious of the fact they can’t make mistakes so take fewer risks especially solo artists or smaller ensembles; spontaneity is key imo.

mikenc's picture
Submitted by mikenc on Tue, 2020-07-28 09:23

Pre-Ordered this on Amazon for $150, delivery August 28, 2020. I hope it's the right one, I may switch in the future to another site. There was no option on Amazon to order a numbered copy.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B088GDGQ7F/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_image_...

Michael Fremer's picture
Submitted by Michael Fremer on Tue, 2020-07-28 11:10
Not sure why the label manager was unaware...but will find out.
Michael Fremer's picture
Submitted by Michael Fremer on Tue, 2020-07-28 11:10
Not sure why the label manager was unaware...but will find out.
PeterPani's picture
Submitted by PeterPani on Tue, 2020-07-28 12:20

A bit boring, isn‘t ist?

Eskisi's picture
Submitted by Eskisi on Tue, 2020-07-28 15:29

...like on a drive in from the airport. It is environmental music but with a bit of mitteleuropaische angst.

Trevor_Bartram's picture
Submitted by Trevor_Bartram on Fri, 2020-07-31 07:15

Bating the audience is the oldest trick in the book. Nice to see no one fell for it but me!

jazz's picture
Submitted by jazz on Wed, 2020-07-29 09:38

The.whole box is as nicely made as the Bruckner BPO, just without the hard cover book, instead a soft cover book.

The vinyl is not as quiet as the Bruckner’s occasionally (maybe needs a cleaning), the sound is better than that of the Bruckner BPO. More transparent sounding and a little less dry upper string sound. Still on the neutral than euphonic side, but well balanced and very transparent, airy soundstage. It definitely deserves the 11, I’d put the Bruckner at 10.

Buying recommendation!

billsf's picture
Submitted by billsf on Wed, 2020-07-29 10:24

Hi Jazz. Am I right in assuming you're talking about the Ma Vlast? Where did you order it from? All the information here says it won't be out until late August or early September. I too, have a preoreder in with Naxos.

jazz's picture
Submitted by jazz on Wed, 2020-07-29 10:41

ordered it here:

https://www.jpc.de/jpcng/classic/detail/-/art/ma-vlast-mein-vaterland/hn...

But you can also order here for delivery before US release date:

https://wom.de/classic/detail/-/art/ma-vlast-mein-vaterland/hnum/1023192...

This seems the cheapest option (but not available there yet):

https://www.grooves.land/product_info.php/products_id/2099835003/gclid/E...

billsf's picture
Submitted by billsf on Wed, 2020-07-29 11:01

just ordered

Wymax's picture
Submitted by Wymax on Thu, 2020-07-30 02:19

Ordered it on 26.07.2020 where the release date said 04.09.2020, but received it already today. And I bought my copy from jpc.de as well, which is where I do all my vinyl shopping.

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