Customer Reviews

Rozsa: Ben Hur, Conc. pour Piano "Spellbound"

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

 

 

I found Spellbound satisfactory but not quite to the mark. The Rozsa-Pennario recording is much more satisfying with the intensity and verve. Except I think Pennario could have done better. The Parade of the Charioteers was quite exciting with the rhythms exhilarating. The fanfares were adequate but could use more Kloss (as in the Erich Kloss version). Mother`s Love was too slow to make anyone weep. A definite 3 1/2 to 4 stars presentation.

If you're considering this CD for "Spellbound" be aware that the theremin part is played by one of the woodwinds (sounds like an oboe to me). Needless to say this was quite a disappointment and is the principal reason for my poor (two-star) recommendation. The performance of the Rozsa Concerto is adequate but not by any means outstanding.

I don't want to spend too long writing about this CD because it isn't worthy of the effort. However, it is important to warn others that the conducting and performances are weak and that there are too many other decent CDs of Rozsa's work to waste time and money on this one.