Search - Modest Mussorgsky, Carlo Maria Giulini, Lorin Maazel :: Panorama: Modest Mussorgsky

A STRONG REBUTTLE to the "bad" reviews.

bonerfly | NY | 05/19/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"155 minutes of music and one reviewer gives these CDs 1 star for couging here and there during 7 minutes of Richter's Pictures recital. Not continually mind you. I DON'T GET IT!

A reviewer doesn't like vocal music..so 2 stars. I DON'T GET IT! Just because one does not like "classical" vocals, doesn't mean they stink.

This is over 2 1/2 hours at single CD budget price. Geez...

Giulini gives a superbly recorded THRILLING performance of Pictures that, in my humble opinion, is second only to Reiner's. Also with the CSO 15 years earlier.

This 34+ minutes alone is worth the price of this collection.

The excerpts from Boris Gudonov are considered one of the best performances in the catalog (Karajan/VPO). 29 minutes and a good way to determine if you want to purchase the complete opera 3 CD set for over $30+ bucks.

Markevich/Vishnevskaya is considered to be the definitive version for the "6 songs".

The Kovanshchina prelude (Dawn on The Moskva River) is one the most heart rending themes in the canon. Simply gorgeous 6 minute piece of music.

I could go on and on.

Sure there are a few "gaffs" on these CDs. Maazel brings in Bald Mountain in under 10 minutes. Whew!

But hey...kudos to the orchestra for being able to play that well, that fast without stumbling over each other. Quite exhilerating acually.

And Then there is Richter's famous/"infamous" Pictures. Yes the annoying cough and a not so sonic recording. But anyone looking for just this track should already have been aware of this problem. "Classisists" have been talking about this problem for 50+ years. Obviously it can't be fixed. But still several coughs in 30+ minutes just makes it sound as live a performance as it is.

So let's recap...155 minutes of music with maybe parts of 15 minutes of minor problems for DISCOUNT bucks. Pretty good math I'd say. Equals 5 STARS where I come from.

Overall, this is an excellent CD for those who want Mussorgsky's major orchestral output in one package at a bargain price.

Top conductors, top orchestras, great performances and, except for Richter's Pictures, GREAT SONICS.

If you want a truly magnificent solo piano Pictures try Pletnev's on Virgin Classics. It will blow you away. And you get the bonus of his own piano transcription of Tchaikovsky's Sleeping Beauty which is even better or the out of print Anthony Goldstone CD if you can find it.



ENJOY!"