New Trolls: Concerto Grosso N.1 & N.2 – The Ultimate FLAC Audiophile Guide
The intersection of classical music and progressive rock reached its peak in the 1970s, and no band defined this "Rock-Baroque" fusion better than the Italian legends, New Trolls. For audiophiles and collectors, finding the "top" high-fidelity FLAC versions of Concerto Grosso N.1 and Concerto Grosso N.2 is a pursuit of sonic perfection. 🎻 The Legacy of New Trolls and Luis Bacalov
In 1971, New Trolls collaborated with composer Luis Bacalov to create a masterpiece that would change Italian Prog forever. Concerto Grosso per i New Trolls (N.1) was originally conceived as a film soundtrack for La Vittima Designata.
Concerto Grosso N.1 (1971): A seamless blend of Vivaldi-esque violin arrangements and Jimi Hendrix-inspired guitar riffs.
Concerto Grosso N.2 (1976): A more refined, experimental follow-up that expanded the orchestral palette while maintaining the band's rock energy. 🔊 Why FLAC is Essential for This Experience
When dealing with complex arrangements—harpsichords, violins, and heavy distortion—compressed formats like MP3 fail. Audiophiles hunt for "FLAC S Top" (Studio Top Quality) files for several reasons:
Dynamic Range: The jump from a quiet flute solo to a roaring drum fill requires the depth only lossless audio provides.
Instrument Separation: In a high-quality FLAC rip, you can physically "place" the orchestra around the rock band in the stereo field.
No Artifacts: You avoid the "shimmering" or "tinny" high-end frequencies often found in low-bitrate digital files. 📀 Tracking Down the "Top" Versions
To get the absolute best sound, you need to look for specific masterings and pressings often found in high-resolution digital libraries or premium vinyl rips. 1. The Japanese SHM-CD Remasters
Japanese pressings are legendary for their clarity. The SHM-CD (Super High Material CD) releases of Concerto Grosso N.1 & N.2 offer a broader frequency response. Ripping these to FLAC results in a transparent, airy sound that brings the strings to life. 2. Vinyl Rips (24-bit/96kHz or 192kHz)
Many purists argue that the original Italian Fonit Cetra pressings have a warmth that digital remasters lack. A "top" FLAC rip from a clean first-pressing vinyl—digitized through high-end AD converters—is often considered the "Holy Grail" for New Trolls fans. 3. The 2013 "The Seven Seasons" Context
While searching for N.1 and N.2, you will often find them bundled with Concerto Grosso N.3 (The Seven Seasons). While N.3 was recorded with modern technology, the first two albums benefit most from careful digital restoration to remove the tape hiss of the early 70s. 🎶 Key Tracks to Test Your Setup
If you’ve secured a high-quality FLAC copy, use these tracks to test your speakers or headphones:
"Allegro" (N.1): Listen for the crispness of the harpsichord against the driving bassline.
"Adagio" (N.1): This track is a masterclass in vocal harmony. Check for "sibilance"—the voices should sound natural, not piercing.
"Vivace" (N.2): Focus on the percussion. The drums should have a tight "thwack" without sounding muddy or bloated. 🚀 Finding the Best Files
When looking for these albums online, ensure you are checking for:
Bit Depth: 16-bit is standard, but 24-bit "Studio Master" files are the "top" tier.
Sample Rate: 44.1kHz is CD quality; 96kHz or higher is preferred for archival-level listening.
Checksums: Verified rips (using tools like AccurateRip) ensure your FLAC file hasn't lost any data during the transfer.
New Trolls' Concerto Grosso series isn't just music; it's a historical document of a time when rock had no boundaries. Hearing it in high-fidelity FLAC is the only way to truly appreciate the genius of Bacalov and the New Trolls.
If you’d like to narrow down your search, I can help you find: Specific retailers that sell high-res digital downloads.
A comparison of different CD versions and their sound signatures.
Technical advice on how to rip your own CDs to the highest possible FLAC quality.
Concerto Grosso series by the Italian progressive rock band New Trolls
represents a landmark fusion of Baroque orchestral structures and psychedelic rock. Released in 1971 and 1976 respectively, Concerto Grosso N. 1 Concerto Grosso N. 2 were composed in collaboration with Argentinean composer Luis Enriquez Bacalov Concerto Grosso N. 1 (1971) Originally conceived as the soundtrack for the film The Designated Victim La Vittima Designata
), this album is widely regarded as a masterpiece of Italian progressive rock. Italian prog Structure:
The first side follows a classical concerto format with three movements and a coda: 1° Tempo: Allegro: Blends hard blues-rock with brisk string arrangements. 2° Tempo: Adagio (Shadows): Features lyrics inspired by Shakespeare's ("To die, to sleep, maybe to dream"). 3° Tempo: Cadenza - Andante con Moto:
A dramatic violin-centric piece that transitions into the band's signature multi-vocal choruses. 4° Tempo: Shadows (per Jimi Hendrix):
A coda dedicated to Hendrix, rehashing the Adagio theme in a heavy rock style. Contains the 20-minute track "Nella Sala Vuota"
, a long-form improvisation showcasing the band’s technical skill, including an extended drum solo by Gianni Belleno. Concerto Grosso N. 2 (1976)
Releasing five years later, this album attempted to repeat the success of the original but leaned further into melodic pop and "Bee Gees-style" vocal harmonies. NEW TROLLS Concerto Grosso Nº 2 reviews - Prog Archives
For the purpose of this treatise, let's assume you're interested in exploring Vivaldi's "Concerto Grosso" in a general sense, as his works are renowned and frequently referenced in classical music.
FLAC tips — ripping, file settings, metadata
- Why FLAC: Lossless compression preserves full audio fidelity; ideal for classical dynamics and natural timbre.
- Ripping/encoding: Use 16-bit/44.1 kHz for CD sources; use source sample rate for higher-resolution masters (e.g., 24-bit/96 kHz) only if available.
- Encoder: Use a modern FLAC encoder (e.g., fre:ac, dBpoweramp, XLD) with default compression (level 5–8). Higher compression only affects file size, not audio quality.
- Tagging: Fill in Composer, Work (Concerto Grosso Op.6 No.1 / No.2), Movement number/title, Conductor/Ensemble, Soloists, Album, Year, Label. Use embedded cover art.
- Folder structure: /Classical/Corelli/Op.6 Nos 1-12/Ensemble — use consistent naming to ease library management.
- Checksums: Keep MD5 or use AccurateRip when ripping from CD to verify integrity.
The Controversy Surrounding Trolls
Despite their musical contributions, Trolls have not been without controversy. Critics argue that their practice of sampling and reworking existing music without clear attribution or compensation for the original creators raises significant ethical questions. This issue touches on broader debates about copyright, artistic ownership, and the fair use of sampled material in music production. Proponents of Trolls counter that their work serves as a form of homage and keeps the spirit of the original music alive, introducing it to new audiences.
Technical Recommendation
If you are downloading these files, check the Spectrogram or file metadata for the following to ensure you have the best version:
- Concerto Grosso n. 1: Look for the 2012 Sony Music remaster or the 2024 Hi-Res version. Avoid the 1990s BMG releases for critical listening.
- Concerto Grosso n. 2: This album benefits most from a 24-bit remaster. The dynamic range is significantly improved in the recent re-releases compared to the flat 1980s transfers.
