Search - Kim Borg, Mariana Radev, Ernst Hafliger :: Guiseppe Verdi: Messa Da Requiem; Gioacchino Rossini: Stabat Mater

Probably the most exciting requiem available

12/21/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Fricsay's Verdi requiem surpasses all others in dramatic intensity. Although it was recorded in mono sound in 1960, you quickly get taken along by the excitement of the performance and the sound quality doesn't become a distraction. The recording is taken from a live performance and the singing and ortchestral playing is astonishing. I would thoroughly recommend this CD."

Unmatched Rossini Stabat Mater, exciting Verdi Requiem

R. Lane | Tracy, CA USA | 04/12/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"What a fabulous combination, religous choir music from two of Italy's most fabled opera composers.
Rossini's Stabat Mater, the earlier of the two compositions, had its genesis first in 1831, but was dropped due to illness. Rossini returned to it ten years later, and it was a phenomenal success in Paris, and later Italy. This studio recording from Fricsay was made in 1955 in glorious mono sound and is musically unmatched by any recording since. Fricsay is passioanate in his direction, something absolutely necessary with this seriously neglected piece. The solists are equally passionate also, and the St Hedwig's Cathedral Choir give the best evidence I've ever heard on record as to their legendary reputation. There isn't a single point I could quibble about with the Rossini, and I would buy the two disk set for the Rossini alone.
The Verdi Requiem is one of the most invigorating symphonic works of all time. It requires massive forces, and never leaves the listener in any doubt about the mood at any point. You hear the same Verdi who wrote some of the soul-searching music in Don Carlos, and the Verdi who could compose such victorious music as the grand march in Aida. This recording, which DG first released in 1976 as part of a Fricsay collection, should not be confused with the infamous early 50s recording featured in the label's The Originals series (Amazon asin # B000001GQU). That lengendary recording has a far better team of soloists. This is a live recording from 1960, and is more complete than the earlier recording (hence, the earlier recording fits onto a single disk, whereas this one spand two disks, as do most Verdi Requiem recordings). Fricsay is just as vigorous and enthusiastic in the present recording as he was in the studio version. The sound on the current version, though of later vintage, is not nearly as carefully constructed as the studio recording, especially the choir. But you would never know it was a live recording either.
I suspect this pairing will be discontinued soon. I recommend it wholeheartedly for the Rossini. The Verdi is a bonus, and if you are a big fan of the more well known Fricsay recording, you'll be rewarded with his uncut reading here"