Search - Verdi, BBC Philharmonic, Sir Edward Downes :: Preludes Overtures & Ballet Music 3

Entertaining

David Saemann | 03/12/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is a very well played and well recorded collection of Verdi's orchestral music. My one caveat is that the tempos are on the slow side. If you like Verdi in the grand style, this shouldn't bother you. My feeling, though, is that there is a slight absence of passion. You will not mistake these performances for Toscanini's or Karajan's. I'm particularly fond of Karajan's 78 rpm recordings of the Traviata Preludes, but Downes is quite effective here, and the string sound of the orchestra is impeccable. The ballet music from The Sicilian Vespers in Downes's hands sounds somewhat like Adolphe Adam, not an entirely unwelcome reference point. I would say that this disc is not likely to disappoint you, but there is more to this music than is presented here."