Scarlatti Alla Scarlatti—Livia Mazzanti (Birdbox Audio Archive Series – Reference Test Pressing)
April 8, 2026 § Leave a comment
Direct tonal capture was handled by a pair of Neumann U47 microphones placed closer to the pipes, preserving weight, harmonic richness, and tonal color without sacrificing clarity. A final spot microphone was used judiciously to maintain definition during the most complex passages and ensure that musical lines remain intelligible, even at peak dynamic levels.
Every element—from microphone choice through cutting—was selected with a singular objective: to reproduce exactly what was heard in Scarlatti Hall on that day. Judging by this reference test pressing, that objective has been fully realized.
It is also worth noting that this reference test pressing is housed in an unusually elaborate presentation and was produced in a run of just twenty copies worldwide. This was never intended as a commercial edition, but rather as an internal reference and archival document. While most readers will never encounter this version firsthand, it offers a clear indication of the level of care applied throughout the project. With that attention evident in every aspect of this pressing, I have no doubt that the forthcoming commercial disc and tape editions will possess the same magic
Audiophilepure 
Leave a comment