Search - Adolphe Adam, Michael Tilson Thomas, London Symphony Orchestra :: Adolphe Adam: Music from Giselle

The first great ballet

D. R. Schryer | Poquoson, VA United States | 09/15/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Adolphe Adam wrote several quite pleasant ballet scores and one genuine masterpiece: Giselle. Giselle was the first great ballet, setting a standard later followed by the the ballets of Delibes and Tchaikovsky. While Giselle -- as the earliest great ballet -- is somewhat less sophisticated musically than the later ballets of Delibes and Tchaikovsky, it is charming, very beautiful, and very moving emotionally. In fact, it is quite simply unique. In my opinion, no one who loves classical music -- or simply great music in any genre -- should be without a recording of this uniquely beautiful work."

One of the finest recordings of Giselle

Marc Haegeman | Gent, Belgium | 03/08/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Adam's ever popular "Giselle" has been well served on disc, and this recording from 1986 by the London Symphony Orchestra under Michael Tilson Thomas is arguably one of the finest. Tilson Thomas, with a representative and well-recorded selection of the score (running for almost 77 minutes), proves this ballet music can stand on its own. Recommended."

The best version of Giselle I have ever heard

Marc Haegeman | 01/04/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Having seen Giselle many times and listened to the music many more, I've discovered that there are good versions of the music-and then there are bad. This one is certainly one of the good versions. The tempo is fast where it needs to be and slow where it is appropriate. The orchestra is simply wonderful. Plus, it's all on one CD-a rare find."