Search - Respighi, Schubert, Barbirolli :: Fountains of Rome / German Dances

From the review in Gramophone

Record Collector | Mons, Belgium | 12/13/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

""This issue not only offers further evidence of the notable standards achieved by John Barbirolli during his New York Philharmonic tenure, but also signifies that all of this partnership's Victor recordings have now made it on to CD. High-quality orchestral playing graces Barbirolli's characterful, fragrantly atmospheric 'Fontane di Roma,' and both the 'Arie di corte' from the same composer's Third Suite of 'Antiche danze ed arie' and Barbirolli's own 'Suite after Purcell' (the second of his four recordings) feature some luxuriously upholstered string sonorities. Schubert's 'Five German Dances and Seven Trios' receive similarly expressive, affectionate treatment, and we also get two considerable rarities in the shape of Paul Creston's affecting 'Threnody' (a hugely eloquent display), and Gian Carlo Menotti's perky miniature overture to 'The Old Maid and the Thief.' Both these items were in all likelihood recorded sometime in March 1942 and derive from original 12-inch shellacs in the possession of a member of the Barbirolli Society. Acceptable transfers, informative notes, and enticing value."



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