Hi-Res Downloads

96kHz/24-bit FLAC, Sony 88883763622 (supplied by www.highresaudio.com)

The Milanese Giovanni Antonini, like Frans Brüggen, came to conducting via the baroque recorder; he was also co-founder of Il Giardino Armonico. So it’s not surprising to find his Beethoven the very antithesis of Karajan’s: a dry attack with sharp dynamic differentiation. (Wonderful how the concerto steals in from nowhere!) Recorded in the modern Luxembourg Philharmonie, the players patently give their all for him. The two ‘serious’ overtures are the most satisfying tracks here, but that’s only because Sony has frequently given the soloists too much prominence in the Triple Concerto – Gabetta being one of its ‘star’ signings. This is especially so in the slow movement – but note the inconsistency as the finale starts. CB

Sound Quality: 80%

Hi-Fi News Lab Report

Digitally recorded at 96kHz at the Philharmonie, Luxembourg in 2015, the mix is very clean (aside from a 19.8kHz drone, buried here). Low noise, a wide dynamic range and full 40kHz+ bandwidth are all well used. PM