Tag: Bob Levi

“I have not ever heard, in my lifetime, a better solo violin LP…”

Posted on by

Bob Levi responds to Petteri Iivonen’s vinyl release of J. S. Bach’s Partita No. 2 in D Minor AKG C-24 Stereo Tube Microphone, No mixer, direct from the microphone amplifier to the Tape Deck using the shortest possible length of custom wire. Agfa Formula 468 Tape…. One has to understand that Yarlung Records is a non-profit organization and releases its amazing productions when financially feasible. This performance was included in a CD compilation of Petteri Iivonen’s work titled Art of the Violin, Yarlung Records 05787, in 2008, to rave reviews. Being a CD with its limitations, I did not realize the overall importance of this recording. The performance was both exciting and nuanced but not what you would expect from analog’s ability to make the violin come alive in the room. Now we have the BOMB! I talked with Bob Attiyeh the other day, and he mentioned that Elliot Midwood, Partita‘s executive Continue Reading →

Recorded in the Purest Possible Way, Yarlung’s “Women and War and Peace”

Posted on by

[Women and War and Peace] is a musical wonder. It is a journey through time for female composers, some recognized in their day, others not. The pieces are approachable and melodic…. The Pianist: Katelyn Bouska, is extremely talented and plays with superb sophistication. With so many styles among the composers, she interprets each with an originality that is very special. I wish she was touring in America. What a magnificent pianist! Women of War and Peace is recorded in the purest possible way, sparing no expense. For a CD on a revealing system, the piano is in the room. This is very near the master tape sound with analog overtones. Textural cues are wonderful and rich. The piano image is solid and alive and exhibits no compression whatsoever. There is just enough ambiance and space to indicate a hall, with no sweetening. This is a reference piano recording of the first Continue Reading →

Yuko Mabuchi Trio helps celebrate Bob Levi’s 70th Birthday

Posted on by

Happy Birthday Bob Levi! Robert H. Levi, President and CEO of the Los Angeles and Orange County Audio Society, has done everything he can to encourage audiophile enthusiasts around the world.  This whipping up of enthusiasm results in tremendous support for musicians, labels and equipment manufacturers.  Yuko and our executive producers Craig and Diane Martin wanted to dedicate the new Yuko Mabuchi Trio vinyl pressing to the Audio Society’s 25th Anniversary, and to Bob Levi in honor of his 70th Birthday. Not a week passed, from concept to delivery, when Maestro Levi didn’t call me asking for updates, enthusing in advance, and generally saying thank you.  Fortunately, Bob liked the album when I sent him the first copy the other day.  He arranged a listening party the next morning with two critic friends, played the CD first, and then the sparkling new LP.  Michael Wechsberg and Richard Revell were Bob’s Continue Reading →