Great Conductors of the Twentieth Century - Carlo Maria Giulini [Original recording remastered]

Gioachino Rossini (Composer), Ludwig van Beethoven (Composer), Maurice Ravel / Georges Bizet (Composer), Igor Stravinsky / Robert Schumann (Composer), Johann II [Junior] Strauss (Composer), Carlo Maria Giulini (Conductor), Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra (Orchestra), Vienna Symphony Orchestra (Orchestra), Philharmonia Orchestra of London (Orchestra), Chicago Symphony Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, Vienna Symphony Orchestra, Philharmonia Orchestra of London, Chicago Symphony Orchestra
• Conductor: Carlo Maria Giulini
• Composer: Gioachino Rossini, Ludwig van Beethoven, Maurice Ravel / Georges Bizet, Igor Stravinsky / Robert Schumann, Johann II [Junior] Strauss
• Audio CD (February 11, 2003)
• SPARS Code: ADD
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: EMI Classics
• ASIN: B00006I9K7
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #107,156 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Conductors of 20th Century= Best Reissues of the 21st, April 1, 2003

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Michael B. Richman (Portland, Maine USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Great Conductors of the Twentieth Century - Carlo Maria Giulini (Audio CD)

It's sad that the "Great Conductors of the 20th Century" reissue series has not gotten more notice on Amazon and in other places, because it has my vote for the best reissue program thus far of the 21st Century. Drawing from the archives of all the major classical labels (EMI, Sony, BMG, DG, Decca, Philips, Supraphon, etc.), EMI and IMG Artists have assembled a wonderful series of affordable two-disc sets by the leading conductors of the last century. And unlike its counterpart, "The Great Pianists of the 20th Century," which are basically compilations of material already available on other CDs, the "Great Conductors" features rare and, for the most part, previously unreleased performances!

This particular CD, Volume 18, features the great Carlo Maria Giulini. Unlike many of the conductors featured in this series, Giulini CDs have been readily available, though some of the better ones have drifted out of print over the years. As a result, you would think there wouldn't be any worthwhile unreleased material left. Well, guess again -- the folks at EMI have dusted off some classics from the vault for this reissue. As the track information above is erroneous, allow me to mention that disc one features Rossini's "Tancredi Overture" (Philharmonia Orch, 1964), Beethoven's 7th Symphony (Chicago SO, 1971), a live recording of Ravel's "Ma Mere L'oye" (Bavarian RSO, 1979) and Bizet's "Jeux d'enfants" (Philharmonia, 1956). Disc two is even stronger with a live performance of Beethoven's "Egmont Overture" (RAI Torino SO, 1968), Mahler's orchestration for Schumann's "Rhenish" (Philharmonia, 1958), Stravinsky's 1919 "Firebird" Suite (Philharmonia, 1956), and a live J. Strauss' "Emporer" Waltz (Vienna SO, 1974).

Whether you are a serious collector of classical music or a beginner, the "Great Conductors of the 20th Century" has something for everyone. If the prized, rare performances previously unreleased on CD (or ever!) doesn't excite you, then use this as an opportunity to check out one of the greatest conductors ever recorded. Chances are, since stores are offering increasingly homogenized classical music sections, this conductor isn't even in your collection. And that would truly be a shame.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great performances by a great conductor., April 9, 2003

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D. R. Schryer (Poquoson, VA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Great Conductors of the Twentieth Century - Carlo Maria Giulini (Audio CD)

Carlo Maria Giulini was one of the half dozen or so greatest conductors of the 20th century and he conducted most of the world's greatest orchestra. But -- although recognized as outstanding by orchestral members fortunate enough to have played for him, as well as by many famous soloists and other conductors -- he never achieved the public acclaim accorded to "star" conductors, such as Karajan and Toscanini. If you are not yet familiar with the artistry of this great conductor, I hope that you will remedy this omission soon. This 2-CD set is a good place to start.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A beloved conductor caught in above-average form, November 25, 2005

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Santa Fe Listener (Santa Fe, NM USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Great Conductors of the Twentieth Century - Carlo Maria Giulini (Audio CD)

The Great Coductors series will disappoint anyone who assumes, as I did at first, that every installment would contain at least one great performance. In this set, we cover familiar ground with Giulini, who is represented by composers he specialized in, like Ravel and Beethoven, plus some not so central to his repertoire, such as Stravinsky and Johann Strauss. I'm not sure I hear any great performances, even though the selections range from good to very good.

CD 1 begins with a Rossini Tancredi Over. (1964) from a well-known album that EMI has reissued in other guises. It is straightforward and unexceptional. The next item, a Beethoven Seventh Sym. from Chicago (1971), has also been recently repackaged elsewhere; that wouldn't matter if this were a sterling performance, but as the rather routine, laid-back first movement unfolds, one realizes that this is going to be a standard good effort from Giulini, who despsite his beloved status could blow quite hot and cold.

Suddenly, in the Ravel Mother Goose Suite, a live performance with the Bavarian State Radio Orch. (1979) Giulini becomes inspired. This is radiant Ravel, catching the music's evanescent charm with compelling delicacy and pointedness. It's one of the best things in the set. CD 1 ends with a negligible run through of Bizet's Jeux d'Enfants (1956) with the Philharmonia. I suppose the compilers chose it becasue almost all of Giulini's many EMI recordings are ubiquitously in print.

CD 2 is just as oddly assorted. The opening Egmont Over. (1968) is a live peformance with the substandard Turin Radio Orch.--it's midle-of-the-road in every respect. The Schumann Rhenish Sym. (1958) with the Philhamonia must have been chosen, again, because it's out of print. The reading is vigorous, lyrical in the slow movement, not terribly well recorded, and quite enjoyable for its lack of bombast. Nothing super special happens even though nothing is less than very good.

Then, just as on CD 1, something startling occurs. The Stravinsky Firebird Suite from 1956 in good early stereo with the Philharmonia, jumps to life. It is seductive and atmospheric, and for once in this set Giulini adds a personal stamp. I would rate it as one of the most involving readings of an over-familiar score that I've heard. CD 2 ends with a Strauss waltz, rare for this conductor, an Emperor Waltz from 1974 with the often woebegone Vienna Sym. Here they sound quite decent. Giulini's reading is recessive and respectful, enjoyable for its warmth even though he seems well out of his element.

Overall, the Ravel and Stravinsky reminded me of overlooked aspects to this great conductor's career, and even though the rest added little to my appreciation of Giulini, this was a fair portrait that could have shone even brighter.