Mendelssohns Octet Chasing The Dragon Live Double Album 2LP Vinyl

Mendelssohn's Octet In E Flat Major Op. 20 - Recorded at Henry Wood Hall

Here, Chasing The Dragon have chosen Mendelssohn’s wonderful octet performed by The Locrian Ensemble for their latest recording. The musicians are all soloists in their own right, however, they are led by the ubiquitous violinist, Jack Liebeck.

The recording has also given Mike Valentine and team the opportunity to compare a variety of microphone techniques, which they do in the second half of the album. You can compare valve vs transistor mics and the sound of 1/2” tape running at 30 IPS vs digital at 24 /192.

"We hope you have as much fun in listening to the album, as we had in making it for you."

Features:

- Audiophile Demonstration Album
- 2LP Box Set
- Live recording
- Performances by The Locrian Ensemble
- Mastered at Air Studios in London
- Produced/Engineered by Mike Valentine

Track Listing:

A1: Allegro - 33⅓ RPM

B1: Andante - Half-Speed Mastering
B2: Scherzo - Half-Speed Mastering

C1: Presto - 45 RPM
C2: Two Guitars - 45 RPM

D1: Valve Mics - 45 RPM
D2: Transistor Mics - 45 RPM
D3: Tape - 45 RPM
D4: Valve Blumlein Pair - 45 RPM
D5: Binaural Head - 45 RPM

Felix Mendelssohn 1809 - 1847

First Movement - Allegro
The Octet opens with one of the most exhilarating themes of all time, soaring sequentially through nearly three octaves before gently floating back to earth.

Second Movement - Andante
After such a sustained stint of activity in the first movement, Mendelssohn presents us with a lovely Andante animated with harmonic departures from the main theme.

Third Movement - Scherzo
The Scherzo movement is by far the most well-known and is often heard in an orchestral version, which Mendelssohn prepared in 1829.

Fourth Movement-Presto
The listener is propelled into this piece with some bowing played at a dizzying speed on the cellos, joined by the violas, followed by the violins, creating a wonderfully exciting final movement.

Tape vs Digital & Lathe Speeds

Most of the tracks on the album were recorded on to our digital Nagra VI at 24 / 192. On record 2 side B we have used as a source our 1/2" Studer A20 at 30 ps Can you hear a difference?

33⅓ RPM Record 1 Side A
A speed of 33⅓ was chosen as the standard speed for LPs, allowing strobe disks to be made for illumination with 50 Hz and 60 Hz light sources. This led to the development in 1948 of the LP.

33⅓ RPM Half Speed Mastering Record 1 Side B
By cutting the master lacquer at half speed, the high-end frequencies are converted into mid-range frequencies, which are easier to cut. Does this lead to a better sound quality?

45 RPM Record 2 Sides A & B
With more vinyl to cut onto, there may be an improvement in sound quality. Compare these tracks to the others. Do they sound better?

"Chasing The Dragon has become known as one of the world's leading audiophile record labels. We specialize in producing 'Direct Cut' recordings. This is where we pass the stereo signal from the Neve desk at Air Studios, up 2 floors to the record lathe in the mastering suite above. Once we begin to cut the lacquer there is no going back! We can not stop and edit if there are any mistakes. This means we have to choose our musicians who can not only get through each side non-stop but also who can give a fantastic performance.

- Mike Valentine, Chasing The Dragon

Chasing The Dragon have become known as one of the leading producers of audiophile recordings. The UK label owned by Mike Valentine offers Direct Cut LPs. Audiophile LPs, CDs, and Master Tapes which will demonstrate the potential of your Hi-Fi system.

Chasing The Dragon's releases are so detailed, if you take the time to familiarise yourself with the subtleties of these reference-level recordings, the next time you make any changes, big or small, to your Hi-Fi system, the differences will be notable.