Music For Violin and Guitar - Delmoni & Burgess
This extraordinary release features a new presentation of what was essentially a lost recording, giving it new life with today’s best technology. Despite the original release’s having been selected as “Recording of the Month” by Stereophile magazine, the small CD label that released it failed to promote it and shortly thereafter went out of business. After diligent research, we determined that the digital master tape is lost, and the only possible source was a 16/44 redbook CD.
So, how to maximize the sonic result?
First, the CD was cryogenically processed, which made a small but noticeable sonic improvement. Then, thanks to the generosity of Bricasti Design, the manufacturer of some of the world’s finest high-end digital audio playback equipment, we were able to play the CD on a Bricasti transport and Bricasti DAC (details below), using carefully selected cables. The resulting analog signal was then digitized at 32/352.8, providing the best possible recreation of those units’ outstanding performance, while simultaneously disposing of the existing “jitter chain.” The sonic result easily surpassed all other methods we tried, by a substantial margin. Thereafter the files were minimally restored by removing some noise. For more discussion, please see the article by Rushton Paul in Positive Feedback, here, including comparative audio samples.
The reason for these efforts is the magnificent artistry of one of the world’s most accomplished violinists, Arturo Delmoni, playing together with outstanding guitarist David Burgess. Dr. Delmoni, who is presently concertmaster of the New York City Ballet Orchestra, which he has also conducted on occasion, is a widely acclaimed concert artist, recitalist, chamber musician and recording artist, in both the U.S. and abroad. HDTT is looking forward to reissuing more of his superb recordings. A prodigy who began violin study at age four, his teachers included Jascha Heifetz, Josef Gingold, Nathan Milstein and Dorothy DeLay. He plays a 1780 G.B. Guadagnini violin.
When the instant recording was first released, Stereophile magazine, in addition to naming it “Recording of the Month,” gave it high praise: “[Delmoni] has outdone himself here…the most impressive display yet of Delmoni's tonal control and subtlety of phrasing…the polish and articulation are superb…remarkable performances captured in unusually lifelike sonics.” The Sonata for Violin and
Guitar by David Leisner in this recording, was the piece’s first recording, with the composer in attendance.
Artist(s): Violin – Arturo Delmoni
Guitar - David Burgess
Recording Info: Recorded January 1991 in Summers Auditorium, Concordia College, Bronxville, NY.
Recording Engineer: Bob Katz, using custom electronics
Recording Producer: Arturo Delmoni, assisted by John Marks
Current release sourced from a 16/44 CD, after cryogenic processing by Performance Metal (see explanation above)
Components used for Transfer: Bricasti M19 Reference CD transport, together with Bricasti M1 Series II DAC, using carefully selected cables, including Esperanto Audio SPDIF cable
Digital: Digitized at 32/352.8 using RME ADI-2/4 Pro Special Edition AD/DA Convertor
Special thanks to Recording Engineer Bob Katz for his helpful input, also to John Marks for his guidance and assistance.
Handel: Sonata in E Major, Op. 1 (realization of accompaniment for guitar by David Burgess)
01. Adagio (2:07)
02. Allegro (2:43)
03. Largo (3:15)
04. Allegro (2:48)
Giuliani: Sonata in A Major, Op. 85 (for flute or violin and guitar)
05. Allegro maestoso (7:17)
06. Andante molto sostenuto (5:00)
07. Scherzo: Vivace (3:47)
08. Allegretto espressivo (5:22)
Leisner: Sonata for Violin and Guitar [©1988 Merion Music Inc., BMI]
09. Urgent (5:34)
10. Prayer: Cantabile (5:01)
11. Fiery, sharply accented (4:08)
12. Kreisler: Andantino (3:25)
13. Granados (arr. Kreisler): Spanish Dance (3:41)
14. Ravel: Pièce en forme de Habanera (2:30)
15. Paganini: Cantabile (3:38)
16. Chaminade (arr. Kreisler): Serenade Espagnole (2:13)
(accompaniments for Tracks 12-14 and 16 transcribed for guitar by David Burgess)
Copyright © & ℗ High Definition Tape Transfers, Inc. 2026, including all compilation, transfer, remastering, and restoration aspects
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