[Paperweight]

Interesting. The cannons would be so loud that, if they're at 0db, the rest of the orchestra would be waaay down there without substantial dynamic range compression. You'd have to crank the amplifier waaay up to listen to the orchestra at seemingly normal volume...

[lb1lf]

-Obviously there must be some DR compression, however the recording goes to great lengths to ensure Tchaikovsky's intent is preserved - that the cannons drown out the orchestra and is more or less a physical experience.

Your comment has prompted me to do something I've been thinking of doing since I got that album - open it in Aucacity and see what the DR actually is - during the 1812 crescendo, it peaks at -0.02dB[FS]; RMS is -24dB.