Dvorák - Cello Concerto in B minor, Op. 104; Bruch - Kol Nidrei; Tchaikovsky - Variations on a Rococo Theme / Dorati, Starker, London Symphony Orchestra (3-Channel & Stereo Hybrid SACD) 
SACD rip via PS3 to iso | Label: Mercury Living Presence 475 6608 | Stereo/Multichannel | Classical

Reviews on SA-CD.net: 
by sgb May 16, 2005 
This is an exceptional recording, augmented tremendously by the new DSD mastering. It will take you less than a moment or two to discover how diffuse the earlier PCM recording sounds by comparison, & it in itself was one of the better CD transfers to appear in the Living Presence series.

As for performances, nearly all SA-CD enthusiasts will already know that we are graced now with 2 of the best renditions of the Dvorak Concerto ever to appear on record - & each deserves its rightful place in one's music collection for the emotive senses they can provoke in the listener. Polished as it is, the Starker performance conveys more the sense of authority & bravado than Piatigorsky's RCA, but Piatigorsky gives us an equally competent yet more reserved reading of the score. Each of these can serve different listening needs quite effectively, & both offer convincingly authentic sound.

Edit 5/24/05
It has been pointed out to me by another member that I should look to determine if this is a PCM transfer & it is. Nonetheless, the above assessments stands.

Review by nickc June 3, 2005 	
What an unbelievable fillip these magnificent Mercury recordings have been to us SACD lovers - & this is another example! We have "the" classic cello concerto & 2 substantial fillers on this disc.
The performances, of course, are absolutely fabulous - even in comparison to the classic Rostropovich/Karajan coupling on DG. In comparison to that CD I would say Starker/Dorati push slightly more, Karajan was more "romantic" if I could put it that way. One place where I clearly preferred the Karajan is at the end of the slow movement of the Dvorak where the woodwind interjections are absolutely magical; here at a much faster tempo they don't seem to have the same effect.
The sound is well nigh perfect. Although there is some slight residual tape hiss & you can tell the strings are from a 45 year old master (say in comparison to Ivan Fischer's Dvorak 8/9) I just love the presentation of the orchestra in these Mercury recordings; up close so you can almost feel the instruments in your living room.
Essential!

Performers: János Starker (Cello), Antal Dorati, London Symphony Orchestra
Composers: Antonin Dvorák, Max Bruch, Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky

         Tracks:

Dvorák: Cello Concerto In B Minor, Op. 104, B 191 - 1. Allegro 15.08
Dvorák: Cello Concerto In B Minor, Op. 104, B 191 - 2. Adagio, Ma Non Troppo 11.10
Dvorák: Cello Concerto In B Minor, Op. 104, B 191 - 3. Finale: Allegro Moderato 11.47
Bruch: Kol Nidrei, Op. 47 9.58
Tchaikovsky: Variations On A Rococo Theme, Op. 33 15.46

Checksum for iso: c191de4500b40609dd0f4b63c91dc807 *Decca Music Group Limited - Dvorak Cello Concerto.iso