- Audio Codec: PCM 2.0 Stereo (192kHz/24-bit); DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (96kHz/24-bit); bit); mShuttle (MP3)
- Region: ABC (Region-Free)
- Rating: Not Rated
- Run Time: 198 Minutes
- Discs: 1 (1 x Blu-ray)
- Studio: 2L
- Blu-ray Release Date: March 28, 2012
- List Price: $34.99
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Overall
[Rating:4.5/5]
The Performance
[Rating:4.5/5]
Audio Quality
[Rating:4.5/5]
Supplemental Materials
[Rating:1.5/5]
–
The Performance
[Rating:4.5/5]
Who was Thomas Dyck Ackland Tellefsen? Outside of his native Norway, Tellefsen is not a household name in the romantic piano literature. Listening to the Mazurkas that open this disc, the influence of Frederic Chopin is unmistakable, and for good reason. Tellefsen moved to Paris in his twenties, met the great Polish composer, and, the rest they say, is history. But rather than being solely derivative, Tellefsen’s piano works, and we get all fifty-three here in chronologic order, show progressive melodic development. No doubt we continue to hear the voice of the master but this is much as would be the case for those coming to early Mozart after hearing his musical predecessor and mentor, Haydn. What aids the cause for Tellefsen’s catalog is the committed performance by one of Norway’s preeminent pianists, Jorgen Larsen, who treats even the smallest work as a miniature masterpiece.
Audio Quality
[Rating:4.5/5]
There are two versions mixed down from the original 352.8kHz/24-bit DXD masters, this disc 5.1 DS HD Master Audio at 96kHz/24-bit resolution and a 2-channel LPCM 192kHz/24-bit option. I preferred the surround version for the ambience and did not sense the lower resolution was a short change. For computer-listening, there is the mShuttle that offers access to high resolution FLAC (192/24), WAV and an MP3 soundtrack. The recording was done in the Ringve Museum, Trondheim, another great sounding venue.
Supplemental Materials
[Rating:1.5/5]
There is a booklet of liner notes about the pieces, their composer and their pianist that would be very useful to most who are unfamiliar with either individual.
The Definitive Word
Overall:
[Rating:4.5/5]
Sometimes you get a disc that is a virtual no-brainer for lovers of the piano repertoire, and this is such a disc. Superlative recording and musical interpretation go a long way toward making a case for this nearly forgotten composer of nineteenth century piano pieces. Yes, there is a lot of Chopin-like music but I would never consider that to be a liability. While only those with behinds of steel could sit immobile for the considerable length of this recital, taking the works in bits and pieces, and they are all relatively brief as in three minutes or so, you get the equivalent of tasty hors d’oeuvres. So delicious that you will want to go back to the buffet table for many more. This one is going on my best of the year list for certain.
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Purchase Complete Piano Works on Blu-ray Audio at CD Universe
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Overall
[Rating:4.5/5]
The Performance
[Rating:4.5/5]
Audio Quality
[Rating:4.5/5]
Supplemental Materials
[Rating:1.5/5]