Search - R. Strauss, Bernstein, New York Philharmonic :: Also Sprach Zarathustra / Don Juan

Awesome - one of the best "Zarathustra" I've ever heard!!!

Shota Hanai | Torrance, CA | 08/05/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Whether it's the famous catchy fanfare alone, or the entire symphonic poem of the famous "Thus Spoke Zarathustra", I really love this one. Lenny did a pretty great job with this one. I've heard other recordings of the same pieces, including Ormandy and Karajan, but I still spend time listening to Bernstein's recording.



The 2nd track (Of the Backworldsmen), as Bernstein always wanted to be, really exposed the passion and sense of being well-up in people's eyes. Everytime I heard it, really bring me to tears.



In the 9th track (Dance Song), and the conclusion (Langsam) the solo violinist really did great. It was very sensual and was as if it was really singing out loud.



But it is the fanfare itself which I was most impressed of the piece. The brass was a bit "showy" but blaring enough, and the timpani sounded just fine and "gave weight". And the summit of the fanfare always gives me goosebumps. It was definitely one of the best 2001 Fanfare I've ever heard, lined up with Previn on Telarc.



"Don Juan" and "Till Eulenspiegel" was overall fine too. Lenny was pretty comic enough to gave an excellent touch for "Till Eulenspiegel" far charming than Bohm's or Karajan's performance, but I recommend the two for "Don Juan.""