The Barbirolli Viennese Album [Import]

Johann II [Junior] Strauss (Composer), Johann I [Senior] Strauss (Composer), Franz Lehar (Composer), Richard [1] Strauss (Composer), Franz von Suppe (Composer), Franz [Vienna] Schubert (Composer), John Barbirolli (Conductor), Hallé (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Hallé
• Conductor: John Barbirolli
• Composer: Johann II [Junior] Strauss, Johann I [Senior] Strauss, Franz Lehar, Richard [1] Strauss, Franz von Suppe, et al.
• Audio CD (March 11, 2003)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Import
• Label: Dutton Labs UK
• ASIN: B00006S1X6
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #435,424 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Charm and inspiration in equal measure, January 11, 2010

By 

Ralph Moore "Ralph operaphile" (Bishop's Stortford, UK) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Barbirolli Viennese Album (Audio CD)

Not having ever owned this version of the Schubert Great C major, and being on the look out for a performance a little more affectionate and less hard driven than the Szell/Cleveland, I happened upon this Barbirolli Society double CD, available very cheaply in the UK but for some reason much more expensive in the US, and having read a few reviews online, I snapped it up. I am so glad I did; not only did I get a powerful and affecting version of the "9th" (now of course the 8th, following scholarly revision) but also a lovely programme typical of Barbirolli's "Viennese Nights" with the Hallé, Britain's longest-established permanent professional symphony orchestra.

I still enjoy the intensity of Szell's interpretation, ably delivered by the virtuosic Cleveland Orchestra, but the Hallé are no slouches and they inject a welcome element of echt Viennese elegance into their playing. Barbirolli takes a full five minutes longer than Szell and the difference is mainly in the last two movements; whereas Szell's Scherzo is brittle, brilliant and breathless, Barbirolli is much more charming and whimsical. He brings these same qualities to the lollipops by Johann Strauss I and II, Lehár and von Suppé and you see the logic of the planning of this programme by the Barbirolli Society. The inclusion of the Richard Strauss is equally apt, though I would say that both some technical limitations and lack of sheen on the part of the orchestra and a rhythmic grasp somewhat too limp from Barbirolli in the introduction make it less compelling than the rest of the programme - yet how suavely he directs the middle waltz section.

The sound is flawless: beautifully rich and full Columbia/HMV top quality engineering from the mid-60's and from Pye in the late 50's. I intend to investigate more of these Barbirolli Society issues on the strength of these discs.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More Brilliant Barbirolli, September 23, 2003

By 

Michael B. Richman (Portland, Maine USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Barbirolli Viennese Album (Audio CD)

The Barbirolli Society and Dutton Laboratories have reissued more brilliant sessions by the great British conductor Sir John Barbirolli. As the information about this title is non-existent above, allow me to be of assistance. Not to be confused with the Barbirolli Society's earlier "Viennese Night" title which featured JB's 1950s mono (and some stereo) recordings of Viennese fare, this 2CD set collects the Waltzes, Polkas, Marches and Overtures of Viennese composers recorded by JB in the 1960s, this time all in stereo.

The first CD features Johann Strauss II's "Blue Danube" Waltz, "Thunder and Lightning" Polka, "The Gypsy Baron" Overture and "Perpetual Motion," Johann Strauss I's "Radetzky" March, Franz Lehar's "Gold and Silver" Waltz, Richard Strauss' Waltzes from "Der Rosenkavalier," and Johann Strauss II's "Champagne Polka." These pieces were recorded on December 30 & 31, 1966 for EMI/British Columbia and originally released as the "Viennese Prom Concert" LP. Disc one concludes with three of Franz von Suppe's Overtures -- "Morning, Noon and Night in Vienna," "Queen of Spades" and "The Jolly Robbers" -- recorded June 28 & 29, 1957 for Pye.

Disc two begins oddly enough with Barbirolli's stereo account of Schubert's 9th Symphony, recorded June 2 & 3, 1964 for HMV. I guess Schubert has every right to be included on a "Viennese" collection (then so too do Beethoven and Mozart!), but I was surprised by its inclusion nonetheless. Particularly since this performance had already been available on a 2CD EMI Seraphim title (now out-of-print), I figured most serious Barbirolli collectors (which this series appeals to most) would have already picked it up, and would thus be annoyed at its duplication here. Anyway, Barbirolli reveals the "Great" Symphony more slowly and deliberately than Szell or Bernstein, but don't let subtlety and attention to detail be confused with a lack of excitement and power. This one is full of drama -- a truly great "Great!" Disc two concludes with three more Suppe Overtures -- "Poet and Peasant," "Light Cavalry" and "Beautiful Galatea" -- from the same Pye Sessions mentioned earlier.

Like other releases in this series, the performances have been digitally remastered from the original masters superbly by Michael J. Dutton. Barbirolli Society CDs are certainly a treat, but they don't stay around very long. Buy this JB title while you can!

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Classic Waltzes Collection, July 13, 2005

By 

Anonymous "Professor" (Ann Arbor, MI) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Barbirolli Viennese Album (Audio CD)

I love waltz music. I have to sit at a computer and write, and I look for music that will lift my spirits without being too distracting. It's hard to find good collections of waltz music that aren't over the top or played almost as salon music. Frankly I didn't know who Barbarolli was before hearing this CD. Knocked me over. Absolutely perfect renditions of Strauss and Lehar with fabulous sound dynamics (be prepared to adjust the volume, if listening in your car). Beautiful music, beautifully, memorably played, lifts the heart. Actually not so good as writing accompaniment since it's so much more than background music! These performances have the weight of symphonic concerts as the music probably really should be played, rather than for schlocky nostalgia. First rate.