Hey folks.
 
I want to get a copy of Vagner - Ride Of The Valkyries.  But, I want to find the absolute best recording possible.  Any of you Audiophiles got a good idea?  Bob?
 
I want a recording that is worthy of being test material for the PA systems we design and install.  I want a recording that will scare people when played at 120dB.

Not me. Maybe hifiguy can help - at the very least, he would know people who can.

When searching, you might try spelling the composer's name with a W.
 
Back in the days when they were trying to convince people to move from vinyl to CD, there were lots of demo CDs with loud bits of music around.
 
For much the same effect, why not play M?t?rhead/The Ace of Spades? Wagner isn't exactly the most refined of composers.

The dance of the knights from Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet always gives my hi-fi speakers a good work out.
 
graeme

Try to find a copy of Bedrich Smetana's Bartered Bride Overture.  It's rich with dynamic themes.  
 
One of my faves to crank up and float to.

jacko & paulman
 
Can you tell me what recordings those are?

My favorite Wagner conductors are the old-school guys - Otto Klemperer, Bruno Walter.  Don't know how much of their stuff is available on CD.  I've got it all on LP  
 
Georg Solti's Wagner is consistently first rate as well.

Doc wrote : I want a recording that will scare people when played at 120dB.
 
I'd find out which version was being blasted out of the helicopter mounted speakers in Apocalypse Now.  Sure scared people.  I love the smell of napalm in the morning.  Smells .. like ... victory!  Charlie don't surf.
 
Bill, tgo

If you are looking for dynamic range and dramatic effect, I used to scare people with the main title from the first Batman movie, by that Elfman fella. It starts out really really quiet and builds to quite a crescendo. Not very high-falootin I know, but very effective.

Oh Man I forgot about the Batman Theme.  That is an awesome piece.
 
hifiguy:  All my best stuff is on vinyl as well.  But, it's really hard to keep the tone arm from jumping about 6 when the mains are at 120dB and the subs are easily hittin' 132dB on kick drum hits.  Not to mention what it would do to the vinyl.  I don't think LAST has a product that would fix that.
 
 
Kilgore: If I say its safe to surf this beach Captain, then its safe to surf this beach. I mean I'm not afraid to surf this place, I'll surf this whole ??????? place!

Doc:
 
If you're looking for something that starts quiet and then gets quite powerful, you might want to check out Eugene Ormandy and the Philadelphia Symphony version of Also Sprach Zarathusta (the theme from 2001: A Space Odyssey).  Many's the time (well beyond the applicable statute of limitations) that I closed my eyes and was swept away by this piece while listening on cranked headphones after a session of consciousness raising.  Those were the days!  
 
I watched a snail crawl along the edge of a straight razor. That's my dream. It's my nightmare.
 
Bill, tgo

what is the applicable statute of limitations?

Orff's Carmina Burana will do what you want quite nicely.

Almost anything would be scary at 120db.  My first choice would be Bach's Toccata & Fugue in D minor.
 
Sam

Ride it is.
Just for fun.
 

 
Bill, I know it's no snail but the the guy with horns jumping around is freaking me out man. Can I borrow the straight razor? He needs a shave!
Thanks.
NLP
 
(Message edited by inthelows on January 27, 2007)