Customer Reviews

Pfitzner: Palestrina / Schreier, Lorenz, Wlaschiha, Hübner, Noceck, R. Lang ; Suitner

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

 

 

This rendition of of "Palestrina" is absolutly wonderful. Don't be confused, this is an opera of the life of the composer Palestrina, not a work actually produced by him. Peter Schreier is a fabulous Palestrina. This piece's tempo keeps moving, but does not push. The music in the sene with the ghosts of the past composers is superbly sung and played. The sene where the patriarchs, archbishops, and cardinals debate Palestrina's new Mass is full of power and passion. The singers even in the minor roles execute their performances beautifully. The sene where the Pope gives his benediction to Palestrina (Schreier) is moving and paternal. I would recommend this version to anyone interested in great music and the life of the composer Palestrina. Hans Hotter out did himself.

"PALESTRINA' IS PART OF A TRILOGY OF "AGONY AND THE ECSTASY OF CREATION" OPERAS THAT I LOVE, THE OTHER TWO BEING "BENVENUTO CELLINI" BY BERLIOZ AND "MATHIS DER MAHLER" BY PAUL HINDEMITH. THIS IS AN EXCELLENT RECORDING OF PFITZNER'S MASTERPIECE. PETER SCHREIER IS ABSOLUTELY OUTSTANDING IN THE TITLE ROLE, AND ALL THE OTHER PRINCIPALS MATCH HIM IN THIS LIVE PERFORMANCE FROM THE LATE 80'S. NOW--GIVEN THE OTHER REVIEW: HANS HOTTER DOES NOT APPEAR IN THIS PERFORMANCE. THE BORROMEO IS SUNG(MAGNIFICENTLY) BY SIEGFRIED LORENZ. I'VE ORDERED PFITZNER'S COMPLETE ORCHESTRAL WORKS!

Great performance? Absolutely! What an ensemble of musicians and singers! Peter Schreier, awesome in the title role!

Great sound quality? Oh yes! Given that this is a live performance, you'd expect distracting noises from the audience, sound and balance problems, but there aren't any.

Libretto? Yes, in German and English. It is worth the struggle to follow along as the plot is fascinating, and parts of the libretto are very moving. Having it adds greatly to my appreciation of this work.