Our audiophile editorial team has selected some of the best recordings to experience in true Lossless audio quality. Lossless audio provides clear rich sound by utilizing nondestructive compression to create an exact translation of the original audio source. Lossless audio delivers digital sound reproduction of exceptional quality, and we've compiled a list of recordings that truly come to life when experienced in Lossless quality.
Tchaikovsky: 1812 Overture; Moscow Cantata; Slavonic March (Mariinsky)
Valery Gergiev leads the Mariinsky Theatre Chorus and Orchestra in sonic blockbusters by Tchaikovsky. From the roaring cannon of the 1812 Overture to the natural sound of the voices in the Moscow Cantata, the FLAC format captures every nuance of the performance.
| | Tchaikovsky: 1812 Overture; Moscow Cantata; Slavonic March (Mariinsky) |
Dvorák: Symphonies Nos. 8 & 9 (Supraphon)
Antonin Dvork's orchestral music is richly melodic and filled with a warmth and color that shines through in a lossless download. Sir Charles Mackerras, one of the legendary Dvork conductors, leads the Prague Symphony Orchestra in the Czech composer's Symphonies Nos. 8 & 9, "From the New World."
| | Dvorák: Symphonies Nos. 8 & 9 (Supraphon) |
Strauss: Alpine Symphony, Op. 54 (Pentatone)
Richard Strauss's Alpine Symphony, scored for a massive orchestra including wind and thunder machines, was made for FLAC download. Marek Janowski leads the Pittsburgh Symphony in this sonic spectacular.
| | Strauss: Alpine Symphony, Op. 54 (Pentatone) |
Gustav Mahler: Symphony No. 2 “Resurrection” (Channel Classics)
The “Resurrection” Symphony is a deal-breaker when gauging audio quality. The lossless version of Ivan Fischer’s incandescent performance impresses with its depth and detail. From the snarling low strings in the opening movement to the massive climax with chorus and orchestra in the finale, this is breathtaking.
| | Mahler: Symphony No. 2 in c minor (Channel Classics) |
Heavenly Harmonies (Harmonia Mundi)
While the lossless format obviously serves the wide dynamic range of orchestral works well, an interesting litmus test is how it does in soft music. The unaccompanied voices of Stile Antico on Heavenly Harmonies sing through with clarity and warmth. The subtle resonance of the recording space is reproduced without any loss of vocal definition.
| | Heavenly Harmonies (Harmonia Mundi) |
Tender is the Night (Chandos)
Organ music is difficult to reproduce in any format. Iain Quinn’s fascinating program of Nordic organ music benefits greatly from the lossless format and reveals the great tonal beauty of the Coventry Cathedral organ. The bass is full and plentiful and the reeds are bright but never shrill.
| | Tender Is the North (Chandos) |
Haydn: Favourite Symphonies (EMI)
Can the lossless format restore older recordings to their former luster? Listen to these classic performances of Haydn symphonies recorded in the early 1960s for the answer. The answer is yes. In the lossless format strings have a new-found glow and orchestral details are crystal clear.
| | Haydn: Favourite Symphonies (EMI) |
Bruckner: String quartet and quintet (Naxos)
The intimate sound of a string quartet is a merciless test for any format. This recording of Anton Bruckner’s rarely heard chamber music is closely miked, so the details are either clearly reproduced or painfully overblown in playback. Lossless helps the beautiful inner voices of this music stand out so that each instrument in the group has its own distinct character.
| | Bruckner: String Quintet in F major; String Quartet in C minor (Naxos) |
Rossini: Instrumental Music (Channel Classics)
Rossini's effervescent orchestral music is performed with gusto on this recording by the Budapest Festival Orchestra conducted by Ivan Fischer. The lossless sound quality captures every nuance of Rossini's orchestration on this delightful romp.
| | Rossini: Instrumental Music (Channel Classics) |
Dukas: Sorcerer's Apprentice; Symphony in C (BMG)
With the recent release of the final Harry Potter movie, John Williams' Hedwig's Theme continues to be hummed by a generation of nostalgic fans. We thought we'd keep the magic going by highlighting a fantastic recording of Dukas' Sorcerer's Apprentice. The piece conducted by the great Leonard Slatkin truly comes to life in the high quality of Lossless.
| | Dukas: Sorcerer's Apprentice; Symphony in C (BMG) |
Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach: The Keyboard Concertos (Harmonia Mundi)
The subtleties of period instruments with their sweet string and pungent wind timbres, are vividly reproduced in the lossless format. The woody sound of Andreas Staier's harpsichord, a copy of a 1734 instrument, and the pristine tone of the Freiburger Barockorchester are presented with striking clarity on this critically acclaimed recording of C.P.E. Bach's Sei Concerti.
| | CPE Bach: Keyboard Concertos (Harmonia Mundi) |
