Remastered CD Recordings that have poorer SQ than the original CD Release

[George]

Example number one:



The above is the original CD release of these works. I just got it because donwyn alerted me to the fact that the subsequent "Originals" release of these performances is inferior, especially in terms of balance between piano and orchestra in the Prokofiev, where in the Originals release Richter sounds like he's playing the largest piano in the universe. Sure the overall sound levels are higher in the Originals, but why did they need to crank up the volume on the piano and ruin the balance?

FWIW, these are the two Originals releases of the above performances:

    

[sidoze]

I never heard that Originals release and was familiar with the Rachmaninov recording through the Philips GPOC copy (which I presume also got an audio lift, if their Sofronitsky set is anyting to go by).

I presume you mean "newly remastered recordings that are poorer than when they first appeared on CD", rather than the actual original, which of course the Richter CD isn't.

[Daverz]

I have an Lp of the PC5 + PS8 and the Originals CD.  It will be interesting to compare them.

[George]

I never heard that Originals release and was familiar with the Rachmaninov recording through the Philips GPOC copy (which I presume also got an audio lift, if their Sofronitsky set is anyting to go by).

I presume you mean "newly remastered recordings that are poorer than when they first appeared on CD", rather than the actual original, which of course the Richter CD isn't.

Yes, I will edit the thread title.

[KevinP]

I don't know about classical music in this regard as I've seldom bought the same recording twice. With pop/rock, it usually pays to stay clear of remasters. In jazz, it's hit or miss.

[George]

I don't know about classical music in this regard as I've seldom bought the same recording twice. With pop/rock, it usually pays to stay clear of remasters. In jazz, it's hit or miss.

So I take it you haven't heard the Led Zeppelin or World Party or Bob Dylan Remasters? To me, they sound incredible.

[KevinP]

No, but then I haven't heard the originals. And I did say, 'usually.' I can name exceptions too.
Take a look at this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Gmex_4hreQ