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