Search - Giuseppe Verdi, Zubin Mehta, Fritz Reiner :: Verdi: Requiem

London/Decca has given this recording new life

cruisewhiz | Hawaii | 12/26/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Originally released in the 60's on RCA Red Seal, the first CD version reissued on London/Decca was a dissapointment primarily due to the fact the volume level in the mastering was too low. Now that the engineers have worked on this fantastic performance, I have finally retired the vinyl version. Like they did with Price's Tosca several months back, the remastering has given this recording back it's life. Many recording exist of Verdi Requiem, but I love this one the most. Get it and you will too."

A Powerful Classic Rendition of the Verdi Requiem

Rudy Avila | Lennox, Ca United States | 10/11/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This 1960 recording of the Verdi Requiem stars Leontyne Price, Bjussi Bjorling, Rosalind Elias and Giorgio Tozzi, big names in opera and their voices are in perfect synchronization and sound noble, majestic and powerful. Leontyne would sing the Requiem again in 1967 under the baton of Herbert Von Karajan at La Scala in a moment captured on film now on DVD, as well as later in the 70's when she sang it under the baton of Solti for a studio recording with Janet Baker and Jose Van Dam. In all these Requiems Leontyne Price is doing a terrific job, her voice is high and mighty, lyrically pleasant, rich and creamy. In her later recordings her voice became much darker and huskier and in this her earliest known recording from 1960 her voice is high and smooth. It has never sounded more gorgeous and being one of the world's greatest interpretors of Verdi it is a treat to hear. Bjussi Jorling is sinigng a hell of a tenor part and he is appropriately lyrical and dramatic. Tozzi is a fine bass and his voice blends with Rosalind Elia's majestic sounding mezzo soprano voice. Fritz Reiner conducts the score with a mixture of operatic drama and spiritual heights. Particularly impressive is the Dies Irae, Tuba Mirum, Agnes Dei and Libera Me. The rest of the recording features Four Sacred Pieces. This is a must have for fans of classical music"

Minne seems to have issues with a little noise

James Walters | Seattle, WA USA | 09/06/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD has precious little hiss, and it does not affect the greatness of this recording. The only recording to capture Bjorling, and Price together, both singing beautifully. The sound quality is good, and any hiss that occurs does not impede the beauty of the work.



Highly recommended."