Excellent to now have this as a new streaming option. It looks very promising. I’m intrigued to find out how broad the catalogue is, and how easy it is to search…
That’s a really helpful review, thanks Hugh!
I’m enjoying exploring Presto Streaming: I’ve found a few (very interesting classical) albums that don’t seem to be on Idagio; it’s great to have all the jazz catalogue too; I really like the page layout; but, agreed, am also finding that search is returning many unexpected results. And there are other aspects of navigation that seem awkward - perhaps they will be refined in time?
My jury’s still out…
Just to add that I’m much liking the ‘Reviews’ (where reviews are available) and ‘Explore’ features.
I mentioned Presto’s Album of the Week on another thread - Isabelle Faust and Les Siècles’ stunning performances of Stravinsky - but there is a repeatable glitch at 2.27 in the capriccio of the Violin Concerto where the sound disappears for the rest of the movement. The same recording on Idagio is fine.
So I’ve contacted Presto to ask about this. I’ve heard their customer service is excellent… it will be interesting to hear their response.
Any response yet from Presto? I hope they prove that they can respond to and correct this kind of problem quickly. (No glitch on Apple.)
I’m pleased to say that the glitch was corrected yesterday (but no email as yet to let me know).
The more I explore Presto streaming, the more I like it.
Agreed that there are limitations: the lack of playlists; the lack of a means to share albums; a search logic that has a tendency to return too many hits.
But overall I’m delighted, and most of all because the Explore feature generates so many ‘Oh wow!’ moments. I’m smiling, recalling the past delight of unearthing ‘treasure’ in a CD shop - a piece of music I didn’t know but knew I would like, or a very appealing looking recording of something I did know. Well, Presto Explore just keeps on revealing treasure 😊
I’m loving the high resolution sound quality, and the beautifully laid-out app, and all the excellent articles (eg the BBC Music and Gramophone Editor’s Choices every month).
And I’m pleased with the customer service too. That album glitch was very promptly resolved, and soon followed by an email to let me know. And I got a very informative response to an enquiry about possible integration of Presto with Yamaha’s Musiccast, Sonos etc, in order to take full advantage of the sound quality. Apparently this is all in the works, along with other improvements too.
It will be so interesting to see the Apple Classical app on March 28. Will I swap over? Presto has set the bar very high 😊
@jen Thank you for reminding me of the "Explore" options. In the "Articles" I hit upon the "4 minute read" about the recent release of Biber Rosary Sonatas by Amandine Beyer and Gli Icogniti. What interesting music, and how interesting to be able to compare it with Andrew Manze's generally more austere (and much slower) version. Isn't streaming wonderful? (Curiously, although this was highlighted by Presto as one of their "Recordings of the Week", it's not highlighted as "Recommended" in their list of recordings of this music. Classical recordings - Search: biber rosary (page 1 of 6) | Presto Music).
I'm glad to hear that you've had prompt and helpful responses from customer service.
As a matter of interest how do you find Presto compares with Idagio?
It will be very interesting to see Apple's upcoming app compares.
… Biber Rosary Sonatas by Amandine Beyer and Gli Icogniti. What interesting music…
Yes, indeed! I’m fond of Andrew Manze and Richard Egarr’s reading, but haven’t yet had a chance to listen to this new recording. I couldn’t resist previewing the Passacaglia, though, and Amandine Beyer’s playing is a delight.
On the subject of Biber, I wonder if you are familiar with the F minor Requiem? It’s another extraordinary work.
Isn't streaming wonderful?
My thoughts, exactly, almost every day 😊
As a matter of interest how do you find Presto compares with Idagio?
No analysis, just a telling observation: Idagio (on iOS) has served me well for the last 18 months but in the past month I’ve barely used it. Presto has won me over. There’s going to be some big decisions, though, next month!
Here’s a useful update on Presto’s plans for the near (and not so near) future:
https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/articles/5217--announcement-our-streaming-journey-part-1
Looks promising 😊
@jen Thanks for linking to this article. I really like the idea of the playlists they mention. I'd also like to see a desktop app; right now, it's pretty cumbersome to use the service through the browser.
