My god, this is gorgeous! Robert Levine agreed when reviewing the CD version (type Q5259 in the search box to see his comments), and if anything, on SACD the results are even more remarkable. There’s none of the diffusion of impact that sometimes occurs in the multichannel format, especially when voices are involved, and there are no strange sounds coming from the rear channels–just an enhanced depth and realism produced by perfectly judged balances. Perhaps the most remarkable difference concerns the three instrumental pieces for harpsichord, lute, and organ respectively, each sounding as though the instrument is actually in your listening room–or rather transforming your home environment into an ideal acoustic space for each work. In this respect, what we have here represents nothing less than a new standard in sonic realism. This disc truly delivers on the promise of the surround-sound format as applied to classical music, and if other labels look to it as an exemplar for releases to come then I have no doubt SACD will have a bright future and we will avoid much aural pain and suffering along the way. Stunning!
