Customer Reviews

Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition/Háry János Suite

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

My classical collection is rapidly approaching 300 volumes, and I've culled a few dozen along the way. Bar none, this is the most scintillating recording from end to end. "Pictures" has long been my favorite classical work, and Szell's interpretation here is in a dead heat with Lorin Maazel's on Telarc for top honors, in my estimation. Meanwhile, I concur that the readings of Hary Janos and Lt. Kije are equally brilliant, and they clearly exceed all other versions that I've heard. And all this for a budget price. Pounce. If this is your first exposure to Szell's work, you'll rightly wonder why his fame has so diminished in the 3 decades since his death (so much for being a workman rather a showman). Do search the Sony Essential Classics label for more Szell at knock-down prices.

Wow! What a great job by Szell and his Clevelanders. Kudos to David Zander on the cornet solos in the Prokofiev. Without a doubt, the best recording of Hary Janos to date. If only Szell recorded more Prokofiev!

Forget the one outlier below, it's a five. Anyhow, if you really want to hear Pictures, do the Richter piano from Sofia (1958). Szell's Harry Janos is, like so much of his other stuff, absolutely tops, and the piece reaches its full delight here.

OK, I realize that this will be an unpopular viewpoint compared to those espoused by the others here. But I just don't think Szell captures what Pictures at an Exhibition is about. Take the opening- everybody knows that- it is supposed to be majestic and grand, the brass sound should overwhelm you. Here, it doesn't. Szell just plows through it- it's like a metronome is conducting. Sometimes this is appropriate. Here, it is not. This is how I feel about most of the Pictures recording here- it is plowed through at a breakneck pace, almost like each movement is just desperate to get to the next. The individual beauty of some of the spectacular moments in the piece are missed at the expense of getting to the next spectacular moment.

This said, I must agree that the Kodaly and the Prokofiev are superb for the bargain price. Especially the Kodaly. The Prokofiev suffers more from the outdated recording technology than from the performance- some of those moments are just dying for greater recording clarity at extreme dynamic ranges.

The price, however, is undeniably right, and if you are looking for a bargain than this is for you. I would go no where near the word "definetive" though, except perhaps with the Kodaly. But this is just my opinion.

I bought this wanting the two shorter suites, not Mussorgsky's stroll through a gallery. Having heard it, I would argue exactly the opposite of the other critics toward this CD.

For me, this recording of "Pictures At An Exhibition" is one of the best I've ever heard while the "Hary Janos" and "Lt. Kije" suites suffer from Szell's icy perfectionism and lack of personal involvement.

For me, the Mussorgsky is the treasure on this CD. While not projecting the dramatic warhorse Karajan, Muti and others created on LP and CD, Szell takes a rare view of the music, forging artful sound pictures from the skilled players of his orchestra. Every picture is vividly presented as an aural painting leading to an organic whole rare for this music.

While the canvass of the Great Gate of Kiev lacks some of the drama others bring to it, the totality of the performance projects humanity, art and dignity in equal measure. Aside from his wonderful Hadyn "London" symphony recordings, this is one of the most human or all George Szell-led performances on CD.

The two lesser suites on this CD are extremely well-played and recorded well for the period. The "Hary Janos" suite, in particular, is probably among the better-played accounts of this strange unfamiliar music.

The "Lt. Kije" music, that famous Prokofiev suite based on a mythical Russian television figure, pales when played beside the account by Ormandy, whose CD was recorded in a similar era by another great American orchestra and costs about the same.

The ultra-perfect playing of the Cleveland Orchestra more than makes up for any sonic shortcomings in this issue. Having said that, this is not a DDD recording and will not be mistaken for one. But with a list price of less than $7 and being regularly available from Amazon.com for $3 or $4 used, the price/value index is exceedingly high for anyone seeking this particular combination.

This CD has made it to the top of my list. Sony has great liner notes and Szell brings each of the works to life. It's a must-have for every collection.

the Karajan from 66 is in all department a more characterful interpretation...Szell in the Pictures is pedantic and the opening of the Great Kiev is dull....Leibovitz did a wonderful recording as well with the Royal Philharmonic. The Kodaly is naturally much better with some very delicious playing...all in all an uneven offering.

This performance of Pictures at an Exhibition is uninspired at best. Some of Ravel's beautifully orchestrated material is taken much too lightly by Szell, perhaps because the work is such a warhorse of orchestral repertoire. The Promenade and the Great Gate at Kiev, especially, lack any semblance of excitement. There are much better recordings available.

On the other hand, I very much enjoy this recording of the Hary Janos Suite, although the fifth movement is rushed through and the first movement is a bit unconvincing. The Prokofiev sounds quite good, but, as it has been previously noted, suffers from outdated recording technology. Nevertheless I highly recommend the second half of this CD.