As the thread title states, I'm looking for recommendations for the most realistic sounding piano recordings available. Music styles from classical to jazz, new age etc.
I've always been a big fan of the sound of a piano, but for the longest time, I'd never heard a recording of a piano that I could really say, sounded like a real piano being played live in front of me. Most of the recordings I've heard sound like just that, recordings of a piano being played. If I closed my eyes, there's no way I would mistake it for the real thing.
I've heard quite a lot of recordings of pianos, including things like Diana Krall's albums, Billy Joel, Elton John etc., and while many of them sound very good, there is no way I could mistake them for someone playing a real piano in the room. For the longest time, I considered that it might simply be the limitations of my playback setup, that was just incapable of realistically reproducing the sound of a real piano. That is, until I heard the right recording.
This question has been prompted by a couple of things, one is this particular SACD, Art Lande: While She Sleeps, Piano Lullabies:
http://www.amazon.com/While-She-Slee.../dp/B001IUU9XO
For the first time, I heard what sounded like a real piano being played in my room. The only negative to this recording to me personally, is that the pedalling is too audible. Aside from that though, it captures the tonality, harmonics and reverberations of a Steinway incredibly realistically. It actually sounds like what I remember from my friend playing the Steinway in his parents house.
The amazing thing about this recording was that when I stepped out of the room for a second, it struck me that hearing the album through the doorway, it still sounds just like hearing someone play a real piano in the other room, and actually sounds even more realistic than hearing it in the room because through the doorway of the room, I can't hear the pedalling. It sounds like someone playing a real Steinway in my HT room, except the recording makes it sound like the room is bigger than my actual HT room.
The other thing that prompted this question was reading this article on the Steinway Lyngdorf Model D system:
http://www.6moons.com/industryfeatures/steinway/1.html
specifically this paragraph:
It struck me that to realistically replicate the sound of a real piano (or pianos) being played, you need a playback system capable of reproducing all the tonality, dynamics and harmonics of the real instrument, but just as important, you need a stellar recording that properly captures the sound of the piano.
So let's hear your recommendations folks. What are the most realistic sounding piano recordings you've ever heard?
Max
I've always been a big fan of the sound of a piano, but for the longest time, I'd never heard a recording of a piano that I could really say, sounded like a real piano being played live in front of me. Most of the recordings I've heard sound like just that, recordings of a piano being played. If I closed my eyes, there's no way I would mistake it for the real thing.
I've heard quite a lot of recordings of pianos, including things like Diana Krall's albums, Billy Joel, Elton John etc., and while many of them sound very good, there is no way I could mistake them for someone playing a real piano in the room. For the longest time, I considered that it might simply be the limitations of my playback setup, that was just incapable of realistically reproducing the sound of a real piano. That is, until I heard the right recording.
This question has been prompted by a couple of things, one is this particular SACD, Art Lande: While She Sleeps, Piano Lullabies:
http://www.amazon.com/While-She-Slee.../dp/B001IUU9XO
For the first time, I heard what sounded like a real piano being played in my room. The only negative to this recording to me personally, is that the pedalling is too audible. Aside from that though, it captures the tonality, harmonics and reverberations of a Steinway incredibly realistically. It actually sounds like what I remember from my friend playing the Steinway in his parents house.
The amazing thing about this recording was that when I stepped out of the room for a second, it struck me that hearing the album through the doorway, it still sounds just like hearing someone play a real piano in the other room, and actually sounds even more realistic than hearing it in the room because through the doorway of the room, I can't hear the pedalling. It sounds like someone playing a real Steinway in my HT room, except the recording makes it sound like the room is bigger than my actual HT room.
The other thing that prompted this question was reading this article on the Steinway Lyngdorf Model D system:
http://www.6moons.com/industryfeatures/steinway/1.html
specifically this paragraph:
Quote:
When the Steinway Lyngdorf System D was ready for its first unveiling in Moscow, the stage hosted five Model D Steinway grands. At the sides were the loudspeakers, in the front seats was the full management of Steinway & Sons. Ten talented young pianists opened the concert with quattre main works. The second part of the score was played above the keys where the electronics of Model D playback took over. Nobody in the audience noticed the playback half or in this case the hand sync until the pianists gave a show of hands whilst the music continued. That's when the Steinway Lyngdorf system received a standing ovation from those present. When Peter recounted this anecdote a twinkle appeared in his eyes.
When the Steinway Lyngdorf System D was ready for its first unveiling in Moscow, the stage hosted five Model D Steinway grands. At the sides were the loudspeakers, in the front seats was the full management of Steinway & Sons. Ten talented young pianists opened the concert with quattre main works. The second part of the score was played above the keys where the electronics of Model D playback took over. Nobody in the audience noticed the playback half or in this case the hand sync until the pianists gave a show of hands whilst the music continued. That's when the Steinway Lyngdorf system received a standing ovation from those present. When Peter recounted this anecdote a twinkle appeared in his eyes.
It struck me that to realistically replicate the sound of a real piano (or pianos) being played, you need a playback system capable of reproducing all the tonality, dynamics and harmonics of the real instrument, but just as important, you need a stellar recording that properly captures the sound of the piano.
So let's hear your recommendations folks. What are the most realistic sounding piano recordings you've ever heard?
Max
Or I really like my speakers. 
