Customer Reviews

Spain [Hybrid SACD]

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

 

 

While the accompanying re-release of Richard Strauss' "Don Quixote" and "Don Juan" with the same forces sadly betrays its age, this CD remains one of the true classic Fritz Reiner discs, sounding as fresh as if it was recorded last week.

Fritz Reiner's account of De Falla's ballet "El amor brujo" with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Leontyne Price remains one of the finest ever put on disc. The vivacity, the attack and rhythm, the sense of atmosphere and colour, the extreme emotions found in this music are rendered here with superb mastery. The virtuosity and precision of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in 1963 is downright stunning, while Leontyne Price's gripping dark-throated vocal contribution is for not being idiomatically authentic still totally apt.
The only regret one might have is that De Falla's magnificent "The Three-Cornered Hat" isn't complete. The three fragments, recorded in 1958, including the irresistibly lilting final dance, boast the same qualities as found in "El amor brujo". Two excerpts from De Falla's opera "La Vida breve", the interlude and the well-known dance, are also played with great zest and understanding.

The remainder of the programme from 1958 consists of orchestral transcriptions of three piano pieces from Isaac Albeniz' "Iberia", done with immense flair by Enrique Arbós. Here too the playing of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra is second to none, with Reiner again evoking all the unbridled Latin passion of the "Fête-Dieu à Seville" and "Navarra". The Intermezzo from Enrique Granados' "Goyescas" is offered as a final bonus.

The three-channel SACD format is breathtaking by its clarity, presence and bloom. The orchestral balance and colour is rendered here to perfection (just listen to the build-up in the final dance from "The Three-Cornered Hat" with its powerful bass drum, sparkling percussion and colourful brass).

A magnificent disc.

Most of the music on this disc was not really familiar to me; yes, I had heard some of it before but some was entirely new. There were three main reasons I bought this disc, Fritz Reiner, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and SACD.

I did read the other reviews first and was encouraged by them to take the plunge into what was for me rather unfamiliar territory. Having listened to the disc in three-channel SACD I found the music to be lovely and very listenable. None of the selections would need to be classified as requiring one to develop an acquired taste for the music.

The audio quality of the disc is all I hoped it would be; it appears the De Falla was recorded in March of 1963 with the balance having been recorded in April of 1958. Although that is a span of almost seven years I could not really hear any difference in the audio quality. More kudos to the RCA engineers!

As one would expect with Mr. Reiner, the performances are vigorous and bright; the Chicago Symphony Orchestra is in fine form as is Leontyne Price in the El amor brujo.

This recording could make a worthwhile addition to any music lover's disc library; I recommend it!

Ahh! Mystical Spanish themes, dreamy nights, and the gorgeous sounds and themes familiar over the years presented in vivid 'RCA Living Stereo' format. Fritz Reiner and the Chicago Symphony at the height of their abilities. The selections by deFalla and Granados delight the ear and soul with their magical charms. Reiners's tight control of the strings and brass presents a true delight. I recommend this highly to anyone wanting to hear Chicago at it's best.

These performances are MARVELOUS!!! Just get them and wallow in the lovely sonics and the warmth. Reiner may have been a crusty old stick, but these recordings dance in a very special way... DO NOT MISS... I have waited for years to hear this mastertape. I does NOT disappoint! Have you punched the BUY button YET???

This recording deserved 5 stars but it wasn't 5.1 Surround but 3.0 (Lf.C.Rf.),which is ok except that it didn't need to be SACD!
Edd Kerr
iegolden@shaw.ca