Verdi - Requiem - Robert Shaw, Atlanta Symphony & Chorus

 

Release Date: 10/25/1990 Label: Telarc Number of discs: 2 Composer: Giuseppe Verdi Performer: Robert Shaw, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra cd info/ buy

Review:

It may seem surprising to recommend a Verdi Requiem conducted by Robert Shaw over all those listed above, directed by world-famous conductors, but that is what I intend doing for any number of reasons. But I ought to begin by telling those younger readers about Shaw. He was in his earlier days in charge of the eponymous Robert Shaw Chorale, from 1948 to 1966. Before that he was asked by Toscanini to prepare the chorus for his recordings with the NBC Symphony. Since 1967 he was Music Director in Atlanta where, as earlier records have shown, he has done sterling work but nothing quite to equal this  set. With the credentials listed above, it is hardly surprising to hear him follow Toscanini's example in matters of tempo and orchestral clarity in this work or to find that he inspires his chorus to achieve such great things. Although the single parts of this performance are all admirable, the sum of them is what makes it so enjoyable. I don't think any of the other sets on CD has choral singing to equal this one.

 

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Egyptomania (great works inspired by Egypt) - Mozart, Berlioz, Schubert, Verdi Etc

Release Date: 1 Oct 1999 Label: EMI Classics Number of discs: 2 Composer: Various Performer: Riccardo Muti, Michel Plasson, Wolfgang Sawallisch Etc cd info/ buy

Review:

Egypt has had a significant impact on the cultural imagination of all Western Cultures. Egyptomania is a concept that describes the Western fascination with ancient Egyptian culture and history. Although this fascination goes back to a time immediately following the pharaonic period, "Egyptomania" specifically refers to the renewed interest in Egypt during the nineteenth century as a result of Napoleon's "Egyptian Campaign" (1798–1801) and, in particular, as a result of the extensive scientific study of Ancient Egyptian remains and culture inspired by this campaign.

 

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Verdi - Messa da Requiem - Pappano,Orchestra of Santa Cecilia

 

The mighty Verdi Requiem has long been a staple of both the huge orchestra and huge opera singer. Produced from a series of live concerts in Rome, recorded in January 2009, Antonio Pappano conducts the orchestra and chorus of the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia, with soloists whose credentials are impressive; Anja Harteros, Sonia Ganassi, Rolando Villazón and René Pape.

It is the band and especially the chorus that often take this recording beyond simply good. The fugal sections of the "Libera me, Domine" are first rate. Tons of full blooded, mature voices,with beautifully turned-out diction and articulation, demonstrate a heart-felt response to the dynamics of conductor and score. Verdi used a very different brush for the Requiem. In this performance, there is no hint of the La Traviata "um-cha-cha", this is very catholic, Italianate, repent or die stuff.

The performance of Pappano's soloists are marked by truly impressive legato singing, without exception. All of them have the courage to throttle back and exhibit pure sotto voce, especially Villazón, but Anja Hartenros leaves the most indelible mark. -- Hugo Munday

CD INFO
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