The Berlin Gala ~ A Salute to Carmen [Live]

Georges Bizet (Composer), Claudio Abbado (Conductor), Berliner Philharmoniker (Orchestra), Anne Sofie von Otter (Performer), Roberto Alagna (Performer), Bryn Terfel (Performer), Gil Shaham (Performer), Mikhail Pletnev (Performer), Véronique Gens (Performer), Orféon Donostiarra (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Anne Sofie von Otter, Roberto Alagna, Bryn Terfel, Gil Shaham, Mikhail Pletnev, et al.
• Orchestra: Berliner Philharmoniker
• Conductor: Claudio Abbado
• Composer: Georges Bizet
• Audio CD (June 9, 1998)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Live
• Label: Deutsche Grammophon
• ASIN: B000007OE2
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #186,731 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #42 in Music > Classical > Opera & Vocal > Divas > Otter, Anne Sophie von

Track Listings

1. Carmen: Prelude

2. Carmen: No. 4 Havanaise (Habanera) : 'L'amour est un oiseau rebelle'

3. Carmen: No. 13 Couplet (Toreador Song) : 'Votre toast . . . je peaux vous le rendre'

4. Carmen: No. 11 Chanson (Gypsy Song) : 'Les tringles des sistres tinaient'

5. Carmen: No. 16 Air de la Fleur (Flower Song) : 'La fleur que tu m'avais jetee'

6. Carmen: No. 25 Choeur et Scene : 'Les voici, voici le quadrille'

7. Rapsodie espagnole: Prelude a la nuit : Tres modere

8. Rapsodie espagnole: Malaguerna : Assez vif

9. Rapsodie espagnole: Habanera : Assez lent et d'un rythme las

10. Rapsodie espagnole: Feria : Assez anime

11. Fantaisie de concert sur des motifs de 'Carmen' Op. 25: 'Carmen' fantasy

12. Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini For Piano And Orchestra Op. 43

13. Hungarian Dance No. 5 In G Minor (Allegro)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Three cheers for Mikhail Pletnev!, July 12, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Berlin Gala ~ A Salute to Carmen (Audio CD)

Anybody who loves Rachmaninoff's Paganini Rhapsody MUST listen to Mikhail Pletnev play it! He has proved that he is not only an outstanding conductor but also an exceptional, intricate pianist. By far, this is my favourite recording of Paganini Rhapsody.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unbelievable piano playing..., February 25, 2003

By 

Norman Duffy (Amsterdam) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Berlin Gala ~ A Salute to Carmen (Audio CD)

This kind of "gala" concert is not normally my taste but my word, what a line-up. I actually have the DVD of the concert and it is superb in every respect. The selection from Carmen is outstanding with Bryn Terfel particularly so. Gil Shaham is a superb if not entirely perfect soloist in the Carmen Fantasy. There are several moments of untrue intonation in this very diffcult showpiece but the violinist's panache and charm are simply irresistable.

The purely orchestral items are wonderfully done with Maestro Abbado on his best form as is the BPO. However for me, the highlight is the Rhapsody by Rachmaninov. I'm not a huge fan of up close hand shots of piano players in concert, but this occasion is mesmerising. Pletnev is simply incredible. I have never heard and seen such articulacy and virtuosity before. It is a superb performance from all parties and all at the service of the composer and the work.

The last section after the famous 18th variation has got to be seen to be believed. The colour and imagination in the playing is really amazing with Pletnev virtually standing up to negotiate the double glissando to the final bars of the piece.

This is close to perfection in a very difficult and musically treacherous work. The recording is also very well balanced and the camara work is also expertly done. Enjoy the audio CD if you want to but for the full experience go for the DVD.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Never has a CD so instantly became my favorite!, June 22, 2000

By 

kevin millet (Salt Lake City, Utah, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Berlin Gala ~ A Salute to Carmen (Audio CD)

I heard Gil Shaham's rendition of Sarasate's Carmen Fantasy and knew I had to have the CD. Much to my delight, after listening to the CD only once, I can honestly say that if I'd heard any piece from the Berlin Gala I would have had the same impulse. The collection possesses magnificience and power! The energy is phenomenal. Definitely not a CD you want to play if you want to doze off. All of the pieces are very accessible to the classical neophyte, giving it instant appeal. Do yourself a favor and have this one overnighted!