Rossini: Overtures

Gioachino Rossini (Composer), Fritz Reiner (Conductor), Chicago Symphony Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Chicago Symphony Orchestra
• Conductor: Fritz Reiner
• Composer: Gioachino Rossini
• Audio CD (April 20, 1990)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: RCA
• ASIN: B000003EZP
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #274,870 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WOW!!!, March 28, 2007

By 

sam1858 "Sam" (Texas, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rossini: Overtures (Audio CD)

If you are able to purchase this album, DO SO! I have heard many recordings of Rossini's overtures and by far, this is the album that must sit on your collection. From the Barber of Seville, to William Tell, each of these overtures are played with such excitement and gusto, that it is impossible to not get lost while listening to this recording. Reiner simply leads the Chicago Symphony in exceptional performances. In each overture, the CSO plays with such energy, vigor, precision, and outstanding musicianship, that they give the perfect blend of wit, humor, and playfulness to each performance. A truly outstanding album, and a must have.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sensational, April 26, 2001

By 

"pspa" (Boston, MA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rossini: Overtures (Audio CD)

Close your eyes and you will simply not believe this was recorded in the late 1950's, it sounds better than most of today's digital recordings. And oh what performances, Rossini's overtures have never been given more dramatic renditions, with the climax -- the famous gallop of William Tell, taken at incredibly fast tempo -- representing one of the most thrilling passages I have ever heard in recorded music. Granted there are more comprehensive selections of Rossini overtures and by some standards this disc is short measure, but who cares, if you like this genre you must own this one. Worth it for the William Tell alone, in fact.

15 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Rossini, October 13, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Rossini: Overtures (Audio CD)

This is the most stunning album of Rossini overtures ever recorded. All the overtures here are close to being the finest versions, but the tour de force is the overture to William Tell. You may think that you're entirely familiar with that old warhorse, and that there's nothing more for you to find in it. Reiner will disclose wonders that you never imagined: precision of rapid brass chords, crescendos of the strings in the galop, the triangle's tingle, the tripping out of the solo flute, the surprise of a tutti fortissimo held back just the eenth part of second. Listening intently is physically exhausting; the galop goes at least as fast as Toscanini's. The sound is superb--equal to the best of the pre-digital era.