It has an experienced operatic crew all round, with strong emphasis on the Italian tradition. The full-bodied Hungarian State Opera ensemble, consistent and confident, take their time about everything they do yet aren't able to offer much subtelty. Dynamically everyone settles in at a generous mezzo forte, at times (much) higher. The dramatic tuttis are tremendous, but never incisive, and at faster tempi things spill over into untidy frenzy. The soloists seem quite at home with the pacing, however, and all possess the necessary lungpower and emotional persistence. Outstanding are Filipova's rounded soprano and Scalchi's mezzo, which is warm and forceful in all registers. In the Four Sacred Pieces the chorus master is ambitious on behalf of the sizeable choir and shapes excellent serene performances with blissful tuning, elegance and brightness. The orchestra wakes up as well. The "Te Deum" alone is worth the price of the album. Yngvil V.G.
It has an experienced operatic crew all round, with strong emphasis on the Italian tradition. The full-bodied Hungarian State Opera ensemble, consistent and confident, take their time about everything they do yet aren't able to offer much subtelty. Dynamically everyone settles in at a generous mezzo forte, at times (much) higher. The dramatic tuttis are tremendous, but never incisive, and at faster tempi things spill over into untidy frenzy. The soloists seem quite at home with the pacing, however, and all possess the necessary lungpower and emotional persistence. Outstanding are Filipova's rounded soprano and Scalchi's mezzo, which is warm and forceful in all registers. In the Four Sacred Pieces the chorus master is ambitious on behalf of the sizeable choir and shapes excellent serene performances with blissful tuning, elegance and brightness. The orchestra wakes up as well. The "Te Deum" alone is worth the price of the album. Yngvil V.G.
Composer: Giuseppe (Fortunino Francesco) Verdi (1813 - 1901)
Main Performer: Giorgio Tozzi (Bass); Jussi Björling (Tenor); Leontyne Price (Soprano); Rosalind Elias (Mezzo soprano); Yvonne Minton (Mezzo soprano)
Orchestra / Ensemble(s): Vienna Singverein Choir; Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra; Los Angeles Master Chorale Choir
Date of Release: 10/1995
Label / Distributor: Double Decca / Universal Manufacturing and Logistics
Pieces in Set: 2
Running Time: 2 hours 16 minutes
Genre(s): Vocal and choral
Location of Recording: Sofiensaal (Requiem): Royce Hall, UCLA
Producer: Erik Smith (Requiem); Ray Minshull (Pezzi)
SPAR Code: ADD
EAN: 28944483321
Catalogue Number: 444
Work 1
Work Title: Messa da Requiem
Excerpt(s): 1. Requiem 2. Dies irae 3. Tuba mirum 4. Liber scriptus 5. Quid sum miser 6. Rex tremendae 7. Recordare 8. Ingemisco 9. Confutatis maledictis 10. Lacrymosa 11. Offertorio 12. Sanctus 13. Agnus Dei 14. Lux aeterna 15. Libera me
Composer: Giuseppe (Fortunino Francesco) Verdi (1813 - 1901)
Advantages: Glorious recorded sound, a fine group of soloists Disadvantages: Some fans may not like Sutherland in this music
...This version of Verdi's Requiem sounds absolutely terrific. The chorus has lots of presence -so important in the famous Dies Irae and the soloists are miked beautifully. The 'Hostias' and 'Ingemisco' are some of the finest recordings of Luciano Pavarotti available. Arguably he had more character by the time of his later recording from the late 80s with Riccardo Muti but he is caught here at his finest vocally with the hushed ingemisco amongst the best of that much recorded aria. Joan Sutherland's performance has been criticised quite a lot by critics that think she should not have recorded Verdi roles (similar complaints surround her Traviatas, her Leonora in Il Trovatore and her Elvira in Ernani). I really like her in this music. She is certainly preferable in my opiion to Schwarzkopf (Giulini/EMI and De Sabata (Naxos)) or Nelli...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful
somewhat helpful 04.04.2008
Bygone Class Review ofCaruso: The Greatest Tenor in the World!by
grafter123
Advantages: Classic recordings from a master of his trade. Disadvantages: Mono recordings, Crackly in parts.
...Verdi
La forza del destino: Solenne in quest' ora by Giuseppe Verdi
La forza del destino: O, tu che in seno agli angeli by Giuseppe Verdi
La traviata: Libiamo ne' lieti calici "Brindisi" by Giuseppe Verdi
Macbeth: Ah, la paterna mano by Giuseppe VerdiRequiem Mass: Ingemisco by Giuseppe Verdi
Otello: Ora e per sempre addio by Giuseppe Verdi
Otello: Si, pel ciel marmoreo giuro! by Giuseppe Verdi
Rigoletto: Questa o quella by Giuseppe Verdi
Rigoletto: La donna è mobile by Giuseppe Verdi
Rigoletto: Parmi veder le lagrime...Possente amor mi chiama by Giuseppe Verdi
Rigoletto: Bella figlia dell' amore [Quartet] by Giuseppe Verdi
Un ballo in maschera: Di' tu se fedele by Giuseppe Verdi
I Pagliacci: Recitar!...Vesti la giubba by Ruggero Leoncavallo
Stabat mater: Cujus animam by Gioachino Rossini
Petite Messe solennelle: Crucifixus...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Advantages: A great diversity of famous works Disadvantages: Not everything is perfect
...I am a huge fan of classical music, with a collection soon breaking the 700 marker. But where did it all begin? Well right here. When I got my first CD player, I played my parents CDs until making my first CD purchase. I stumbled along a 2-CD collection called "Simply the Best classical Anthems." Honestly, I had not the slightest clue about what music al the names on the back contained. But there were so many interesting pieces there so that I immediately decided to get it. And I have not regretted the buy. Unlike many other collections, this one features many top flight recordings of some of the most popular classical music. Some of them are still holding their own in the mass of my collection. It was also extremely useful for me in expanding my collection.
TRACK LISTING AS FOLLOWS:
CD 1
VERDI: Dies Irae from Requiem
ORFF: O Fortuna...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
helpful 08.08.2004
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