Aho: Symphony No 8; Pergamon

Advantages: This is a recording containing excellent content, with wonderful sound quality due to top-notch recording technique, and the presence of stellarly talented artists.
Disadvantages: It is often disappointing to be listening to a wonderful piece of music only to discover that merely a portion of the piece is contained on the recording.

...This is an eclectic and, at the same time, fascinating recording. It contains some of the more interesting repertoire of one of the USA's most famous and talented symphony orchestras, along with an assortment of conductors long-attached to the CSO. In short, my favorite piece among all of those contained in this collection, is the Mahler Symphony No. 8. For anyone who knows this piece, they will be more than pleased by this performance. The conducting, orchestra playing, choral singing and preparation, and soloist singing is almost unmatched. Especially notable is the performance of the Mater Gloriosa, a somewhat thankless role, performed especially beautifully by soprano Jann Jaffe. Of course, anyone who knows the piece cannot help but be drawn to this music. This famous "Symphony of a Thousand" is a masterpiece whose listening... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Outstanding music on period instruments
Disadvantages: Swaping C.D'S in music player.

...EMI as follows:- CD 1 66’06" Symphony No 1 Symphony No 6 "The Pastoral" CD 2 58’40" Symphony No 2 Symphony No 8 CD 3 48’43" Overture: Creatures of Prometheus Symphony No 3 "Erocia" CD 4 64’36" Symphony No 4 Symphony No 5 CD 5 52’50" Overture; "Coriolan ", Overture: "Egmont", Symphony No 7 CD 6 62’23" Symphony No 9 "The Choral" This new set from Virgin Classics Catalogue No 5619432 is as follows:- CD 1 Symphony No 1 Symphony No 3 "Eeroica" Creatures of Prometheus CD 2 Symphony No 2 Symphony No 8 Coriolan Overture Egmont Overture CD 3 Symphony No 4 Symphony No 7 CD 4 Symphony No 5 Symphony No 6 "Pastoral" CD 5 Symphony No 9 “The Choral" Amazon price £13.99 This will not be to everybody’s liking though I do believe that it gives a new perspective on some... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: A new way to hear Beethoven
Disadvantages: Surpassed by some later period cycles

...Allegretto is taken at a properly fast speed but there is a strangely thin string timbre apparent throughout the movement and the orchestra also has a number of impurities in their playing that is most distracting. A fair version, but not even close to being the best. Symphony No.8 in F major, Op.93 Coupled with the Second Symphony, you can't go wrong at having the Eighth follow right after. Beethoven considered the Eighth as one of his personal favourites and it is clear to see why. It is so filled with Beethovenian humor that it is just an incredible pleasure to listen to. With no slow movement present, it is a work that is consistently jolly as well as being Beethoven's shortest symphony (at least the shortest since the First). There is really very little that need be said about this performance other than it is another highlight symphony... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful