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Date: | Fri, 7 Apr 2000 20:01:04 -0500 |
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John Calvin Errickson asks:
>This may be old hat to most in this forum and I know jillions of different
>versions exist but could anyone be so kind to give advice on what he or
>she considers to be relatively good performance of Verdi's requiem? The
>copy I have is the Eugene Ormandy conducted a few deacades ago. It is
>rather unsatisfying to me.
First, you've got to decide how you want this work to go. I'm more
interested in the choral parts and the "vulgar" moments: Dies irae,
Sanctus, Libera me. Good soloists don't hurt, but it's the "punch" of
the work that grabs me. That said,
Toscanini/RCA: I used to love this version. Now, it seems rather ordinary,
as does a lot of Toscanini to me these days. He seems to merely beat time.
Giulini/EMI: Probably as good a baseline performance as any. Many consider
it standard.
Bernstein/Sony: This should have been wonderful. As it stands, it's syrupy
and congested. It barely moves.
Reiner/RCA: Gorgeous sound and for my money the best solo quartet.
However, it takes a long time to get going.
Solti/Decca: My favorite. Pavarotti at his young, lyrical best (you can't
believe he once sung so well). Great choral work. Solti's got rhythm.
It's an ideal work for him to conduct: episodic and filled with sensational
moments. Gorgeous sound.
Steve Schwartz
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