ARia CLaSsiCaL: aprile 2012

domenica 29 aprile 2012

Verdi - Requiem_ Bruckner - Te Deum - Karajan - Live 1958-60

Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901)
Messa da Requiem
Leonie Rysanek - Soprano
Christa Ludwig - Mezzo-soprano
Giuseppe Zampieri - Tenor
Cesare Siepi - Bass
Wiener Philarmoniker
Herbert von Karajan
(recorded at Salisburgo Festival on 21/08/1958)

Anton Bruckner (1824-1896)
Te deum
Leontyne Price - Soprano
Hildegard Rossi-Majdan - Alto
Fritz Wunderlich - Tenor
Walter Berry - Bass
Wiener Philarmoniker
Herbert von Karajan
(recorded at Salisburgo Festival on 24/08/1960)

For several listeners it is the most beautiful version of Verdi's Requiem, both for the illuminated Karajan conducting, both for the quality of the soloists. A special mention for the great Italian bass Cesare Siepi who in his career he has experimented beyond traditional opera at only three: Mozart's Requiem, Verdi's Requiem and Beethoven's Missa Solemnis ... sound quality (unfortunately): poor, although quite credible ... enjoy!

martedì 24 aprile 2012

Dukas - L'apprenti sorcier - La Péri - Symphonie en ut majeur - Armin Jordan - Erato 1985

Paul Dukas (1865 -1935)

L'apprenti sorcier

La Péri

Symphonie en ut

Le Nouvel Orchestre Philarmonique (track 1)

L'Orchestre de la Suisse Romande

conductor: Armin Jordan

They are still very few published works of this talented French composer. In this CD we have gathered a good deal and, in addition to the famous "The Sorcerer's Apprentice", two other wide-ranging works, among which stands out for its airiness the Andante (second movement of Symphony) . Great Director (Armin Jordan), precious orchestras (Le Nouvel Orchestre Philharmonique for track 1, and the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande for the other ones) ... sound quality: impressive! ... enjoy!

(loseless link)

giovedì 19 aprile 2012

Tchaikovsky* - Piano Concerto n°1 - Rachmaninov Piano Concerto n°2 - Weissenberg - Karajan - EMI 1970* - 1973

A tribute to a great pianist who recently died ... surely he sinned in times of excessive individualism in the exposition of its pages piano, but it has also left some moments of pure lyricism (as here in the second movement of Rach2) ... these recordings are enhanced by the presence of the great master Herbert von Karajan and two orchestras of the highest quality ... enjoy!

sound quality: excellent!

domenica 15 aprile 2012

Mozart - Requiem K.626 - Barenboim (Battle - Murray - Rendall - Salminen) - EMI France 1985

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)

Requiem in D minor K.626

Kathleen Battle - soprano

Ann Murray - mezzo soprano

David Rendall - tenor

Matti Salminen - bass

Chouers et Orchestre de Paris

conductor: Daniel Barenboim

In my humble opinion, it is the best version of Mozart's masterpiece ... lean, incisive and excellent soloists that integrate fully with the choir and the orchestra. (Not to be confused with the first version of Barenboim recorded in '70, that despite the prestigious soloists, is much less successful) ...

In this regard, a review found online:

...This, make no mistake, is the big-screen version. On CD, the great weight of the Introit sounds more than ever like the playing of a mighty organ, the pugnacious, rhythmically marked choral singing (listen to the kick in the Sanctus!) and the long, deep final chords reverberate as if Berlioz were already not too far away. It has its own strong physical presence, and scores over Marriner in its soloists: his offer much individual foreground interest, but Barenboim has chosen a quartet whose poised musicianship, and steady, perfectly balanced ensemble fits Mozart's purposes irresistibly.

-- Gramophone [9/1986]

sound quality:

it'd need a re-mastering... EMI, where are you!?