I have found some intersting recordings on the Denon label of the
Staatskapelle Dresden & Herbert Blomsted.  They were made before the old
East Germany fell apart and are staggeringly good.  They appear to be an
early example of 20 bit technology and are recorded in a vibrant warm
acoustic with a splendid dynamic range.

What impresses me is the lovely sound of this great orchestra.  The
woodwind are slightly acidic and full of character.  The timpani have a
tight, fortright, defined quality.  The strings are beautifully veiled and
transparant and seem to float at times.  The mellow, integrated sound is
really rather special and quite distinct from any 'Western' orchestra I
have ever heard

Those I managed to find were:

1.  Strauss Tod und Verkarung, Metamorphosen + Til.  The Verkarung is the
winner here.  The 'transfiguration' lifts the lid on my speakers.

2.  Strauss Zarathustra + Don Juan.  Interesting to compare with Bomsted's
San Francisco remake.  The SFSO are excellent but can't match the character
+ drama of the Dresdeners.

3.  Mozart Symphines 40 + 41

4.  Bruckner 7.

Are there any others out there?  Has anyone else found these and been
similarly impressed?

David Harbin
Nottingham, UK.