New Sondheim Digital Remasterings

The OBC recordings of COMPANY, SWEENEY TODD, INTO THE WOODS and the original Off-Broadway Cast of ASSASSINS have been released digitally today with new remasterings and featuring “Spatial Audio”… There’s an article on this site that provides details, etc.

I have listened to selections from the OBC recordings. The remasterings are revelations. It’s as if a veil has been removed, most notably with ITW. The dynamics on ST are greatly improved as well. All three sound cleaner and just better than before. I haven’t listened to the remastered ASSASSINS yet.

My initial listening, from Apple Music, were done without engaging the “Spatial Audio” feature. I am now using a pair of Apple AirPods Max to get a sense of the “Spatial Audio” on the remastered INTO THE WOODS. It sounds good; a wider soundstage, etc. I feel like “Spatial Audio” and the other names it goes by, can be hit or miss depending on the recording and choices made when remixing.

The big takeaway here is that the stereo audio remasters are so good! I’ll listen to ASSASSINS over the weekend…and some more of the spatial audio.

Finally, if you have previously added these recordings to your library, the new versions will stream the next time you play them. If you’ve downloaded the recordings, I think you’ll have to delete and download again to be sure you have the new editions. The spatial audio will engage when you’ve made those choices in your settings and are streaming through equipment that’s able to play it. Just the regular stereo remasterings are great, though!

Updated On: 8/11/23 at 07:01 PM

I only pray Pacific Overtures, Sunday in the Park with George, and A Little Night Music get similar treatments

Updated On: 8/11/23 at 10:29 PM

MichelleCraig said: "I was surprised A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC wasn’t released in this group as it, as well as COMPANY, were released on SACD several years ago using quadrophonic 4-channel masters created in the 70s. More to look forward to…"

I have a copy of quadraphonic Company on Vinyl - sadly I don't have a proper setup to enjoy it : /

For some reason, Company and Sweeney aren’t showing up as Dolby Atmos on Apple Music for me.

Also, the opening of “Tick Tock” on COMPANY has a few seconds of additional material.

it is frustrating that Apple hasn’t labeled all of these properly yet, but if you are streaming from Apple, you are getting the newest version. However, downloads from Apple prior to August 11 will need to be deleted and downloaded again so you’ll have the newest version.

So confirming, they're just mislabeled and say 2000s but these are all the updated recordings streaming? Cause they SOUND better but it's just hard to tell cause I don't have my comparison anymore.

Yes. As I mentioned before, the labeling is messed up.