Respighi: Fontane di Roma, Pini di Roma, etc / Karajan

Ottorino Respighi (Composer), Luigi Boccherini (Composer), Tomaso Albinoni (Composer), Herbert von Karajan (Conductor), Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra), Wolfgang Meyer (Performer), Wolfgang Sebastian Meyer (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Wolfgang Meyer, Wolfgang Sebastian Meyer
• Orchestra: Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
• Conductor: Herbert von Karajan
• Composer: Ottorino Respighi, Luigi Boccherini, Tomaso Albinoni
• Audio CD (May 13, 1997)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Deutsche Grammophon
• ASIN: B000001GX5
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #67,088 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best I've Ever Heard!, November 14, 2000

By 

Shyam Narotam (Tulsa, OK USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Respighi: Fontane di Roma, Pini di Roma, etc / Karajan (Audio CD)

I would have to say that "Pines of Rome" is one of, if not my favorite orchestral peices ever composed! I happened to come by this recording by Karajan by accident, and i've never regretted it since. It is, by far, the best recording I have heard of Resphighi's masterpeice to date. There is a depth to the sonority of the sound that is not heard in many other recordings, and as always, Karajan seems to know exactly what the composer had envisioned the peice[s] to sound like. The tempos, dynamics, and overall interpretation of the peices seem to be perfect in execution. Combine that with the masterfull playing and technique of the world-class ensemble of the Berlin Philharmonic, and you have a combination of pure perfection. I also liked the "Fountains of Rome" recording of this CD, it being of the same high quality and sound as "Pines". My only qualms with this recording is the amount of ambient noises that can be heard throughout the recording. Whether it be what sounds like a dropped bow by a string player, or a chair being moved, or a floorboard creaking, these sounds can clearly be heard. HOWEVER, one soon forgets these minor inconveniences once the orchestra starts to play the peices, and the greatness of the technique and sound can be heard (combined with the melodious genius of Respighi). This is a definite must have for all Respighi fans.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic!, February 5, 2007

By 

Blue Hose Bone 311 (South Carolina) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Respighi: Fontane di Roma, Pini di Roma, etc / Karajan (Audio CD)

I love the Pines of Rome and find this version to be the next best after my other benchmark, Reiner's interpretation with the Chicago Symphony in the 60's. Too many conductors feel the need for excessive speed in the opening of this piece, causing it to feel hurried and rushed rather than triumphant. Karjan and Reiner are able to reign in this tendency. The playing is immaculate as well. This is an essential recording of this piece. Buy it.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Compilation, April 16, 2006

By 

C. Sligh "Isaac Le Grande" (Winston-Salem, NC United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Respighi: Fontane di Roma, Pini di Roma, etc / Karajan (Audio CD)

If I could choose the 10 best classical albums, this would be one of them. The Boccherini is probably the best part, and sections of it were used in several movies, including Sherlock Holmes: The Case of The Silk Stocking and Master and Commander: The Far Side of The World. The quality of the recording is crystal clear, creating the most enjoyable listening experience. It finishes off with Albinoni and the fabulous Adagio in G Minor, featuring Wolfgang Meyer on the organ. All in all, it's a very nice album, and a joy to listen to.