Deutsche Grammophon Announces "The Original Source" AAA Reissue Series
14 titles to be issued in 2023 cut directly from 4-track masters
In 1970 DGG developed quadraphonic 4 channel tape recording, featuring left, right and rear channel "surround" channels. The tapes were edited using traditional splicing techniques and then down mixed to 2 channels for standard record production, since QS and SQ quad LP technology hadn't been fully developed and when it was DGG chose to not issue LPs in either of those competing formats.
For these new reissues, DGG decided to cut directly from the 4 track 1/2" master tapes, which of course, saves a generation and should produce superior sound. But that required them to configure a 4 track playback deck with a "preview head" to direct the lathe in advance of the signal—everyone reading this knows all about this.
Emil Berliner Studios, under the direction of Rainer Maillard, in cooperation with DGG built such a machine for this series.
The newly developed 4 track playback deck with "preview head"
The releases are mixed "live" to stereo as the lathe operates. This will be the first time these 1970s era recordings have been released cut directly from the 4 track master tapes. You can learn more about this in greater detail on the Original Source website.
According to the March 3rd online press release:
"An initial selection of 14 Original Source albums will be released over the course of 2023, starting with Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 (Wiener Philharmoniker/Carlos Kleiber); Mahler’s Symphony No. 5(2 LPs – Berliner Philharmoniker/Herbert von Karajan); Schubert’s “Trout” Quintet (Amadeus Quartet, Emil Gilels, Rainer Zepperitz); and Stravinsky’s Le Sacre du printemps (London Symphony Orchestra/Claudio Abbado). These first four will be issued on 2 June 2023."
Optimal will press on 180g vinyl and package them in deluxe gatefold jackets.
Other albums scheduled for release during 2023 include, among others:
BRAHMS: Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 2 Emil Gilels · Berliner Philharmoniker/Eugen Jochum
MOZART: Piano Concertos Nos. 25 & 27 Friedrich Gulda · Wiener Philharmoniker/Claudio Abbado
VERDI: Messa da Requiem Berliner Philharmoniker/Herbert von Karajan
I've known about this series since last September when DGG asked me to participate as "patron of the series". Of course I agreed and I also promised to not divulge anything about this series until it was announced. That occurred on March 3rd. I was not given notice about this, nor has anyone at the label contacted me about it since last September.
