If you want the short version of this review, minus my ramblings, here it is: three sonatas, three passionate fanatics, three steps to heaven! For a bit more detail, read on… ‘Lost in music’ I often ramble on about ‘audiophile recordings’ across multiple media, not just tape, and sometimes in a non-too effusive light. By … More ‘Woah!’: On being blown away by Beethoven’s final three piano sonatas from UltraAnalogue Recordings

There’s something about the number three: it’s the first prime number, it’s the symbol of the holy trinity, it defines the dimensions of the physical space in which we exist. In contrast, in a duo (a pair, a duality), there’s a kind of balance between ‘x and y’. But when you add a third element … More New on tape: Mendelssohn’s Piano Trio no. 1 in D minor Op. 49 from UltraAnalogue Recordings

I had an excited message from Ed Pong of UltraAnalogue Recordings the other day. Ed sounded like he was on the kind of high that you only get from those peak musical experiences (you know the ones!) – and with good reason, since he’s just finished making several new master tape recordings of a stunning … More Beethoven, Schubert, Dvorak & Mendelssohn: new master tapes from UltraAnalogue Recordings

What we have here are ‘two Schuberts’, two recordings on tape from Toronto-based UltraAnalogue Recordings: Rondo Brillant in B Minor and Grand Fantasy in C Major. Both were recorded at the same live performance, which took place in UltraAnalogue’s own premises. The artists are violinist Alena Baeva and Vadym Kholodenko, both winners of two of … More Discovering Alena Baeva with UltraAnalogue Recordings: part 4 – two Schuberts

Alena Baeva is fast emerging as one of the finest violinists of her generation. A protégée of the late, great Russian cellist and conductor Mstislav Rostropovich, and of multi-award wininng Japanese conductor Seiji Ozawa, she’s been described as a ‘magnetic presence’ and a ‘constantly fascinating sound technician’. I’ve been hooked ever since I first saw … More Discovering Alena Baeva with UltraAnalogue Recordings: part 3 – Schumann’s Violin Sonata No. 2 in D minor, Op 121

In part 1 of Discovering the amazing Alena Baeva you found me tugging at UltraAnalogue Recordings’ Ed Pong’s coat tails like an over-excited kid, dying to get my hands on five tapes of virtuoso violinist Alena Baeva performing in Toronto. Having seen her perform live in the UK twice, and having had the immense pleasure of meeting … More Discovering Alena Baeva with UltraAnalogue Recordings: part 2 – Beethoven & Mozart

I’m casting my mind back to August 2018. I’ve been exchanging emails with Ed Pong about his Toronto-based label UltraAnalogue Recordings, which specialises in making superb recordings of chamber music in natural settings, on analogue tape. One day Ed asks me if I’m based anywhere near London. Turns out he’s going to be visiting with … More Discovering the amazing Alena Baeva with UltraAnalogue Recordings: part 1