Customer Reviews

Tchaikovsky: 1812; Mussorgsky / Solti, Chicago Symphony Orchestra

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Solti's recording of Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition (Ravel orchestrated version) is still among the most exciting and powerful out there. The Chicago brass is simply jaw-dropping in its power and the recorded sound makes it sound like the brass is being played right next to you! I have found no serious mistakes in the playing, as one reviewer here alleges, and I find the playing of the orchestra throughout to be of the highest quality: polished, disciplined and virtuosic. Solti's tempos and pacing are absolutely perfect all the way through. There aren't many more exciting Pictures in demonstration-quality sound out there, (the Kuchar/Ukraine performance on Naxos is great but the sound isn't as good and the orchestra not as polished), so I wouldn't hesitate to get this just for the Pictures. (Unfortunately, there's no shortage of tame performances of this work out there, or performances which speed through the climaxes, robbing them of their impact).

The Classical Symphony of Prokofiev is given a vigorous, lively, and rousing performance here, which emphasizes the Prokofiev in the work, as opposed to the classicism it pretends to imitate. The tempos are brisk and the brass is very prominent, making this a more modernist take on this symphony, grounding it firmly in the twentieth century. It is also my personal favorite recording of the work.

The 1812 Overture is very exciting, with brisk tempos and a no-nonsense approach overall. The best performance is still the Dorati/Minneapolis recording on Mercury, but the analog sound on that one isn't spectacular. This Solti recording would be my first choice for a digital recording of the work.

The combination of exciting playing and excellent sound has made this one of the most frequently-played CDs in my colection.
At mid-price, this CD is also a real bargain, and should be in your collection as well.

I just returned from a drive in my car, the local public radio station playing my favorite classical piece -- The 1812 Overture. I was delighted when the "finale" began as I pulled into the privacy of my garage. I sat there, mesmerized, and reduced to tears as the "glorious percussion" (to quote another reviewer) brought visions of fireworks and lined-up cannons. I waited long enough to get the name of the orchestra and the conductor and raced to my computer to put in an order. I have heard this recording before, but never was able to get the information needed to buy it. Now I can. I hope the other music on the CD is decent, but quite honestly, I feel the Overture alone is worth the purchase. As I think about it, if it sounded that good on my car radio, imagine how exciting it's going to be on my stereo!

A great disc. I agree with the other reviewer in saying the Pictures and the 1812 are outstanding. I think what impresses me as much as anything is the recorded sound. It is in the demonstration bracket. This 1812 will absolutely blow you away. Play it loud! The best version available in my opinion. The Classical symphony is also a treat. The best of the Solti collection.

This recording was simply fascinating. I may sound biased in my review, but I'm sorry, this album is simply a must have. Probably one of the best Pictures at an Exhibition recording I have ever heard (I own four recordings and none are as good as this.) Well what can I say, the CSO is simply formidable in execution and clarity. The Prokofiev comes out beautifully and is very exciting throughout. The 1812 Overture, yes, has a lot of canons and bells, but without them then it would just not feel right. But not to worry, don't think that with all the canons and bells the orchestra is drowned, on the contrary, the CSO is able to project, and nothing is overdone, simply the strong, solid sound that the CSO is known for. I truly recommend this album to anyone.
Another album, if you want another interpretation of Pictures, is the one with Fritz Reiner. If you are able to get both, then do so. I highly recommend both.

If you like Pictures, Solti delivers a blistering version with the CSO at their best. This 1812 is one of the top three recording of an over-recorded piece. This Solti's music. The Classical Symphony shows Solti can intrepet music that is not always fast and loud, and do it with style and grace. An excellent buy!!

Pictures at an Exhibition is the centerpiece of this recording, in my view, and this performance is unmatched. I've heard dozens of recordings of Pictures, but this one gets everything right. The Chicago Symphony is in such fine form, it's virtually impossible to find a mistake. Solti lends his trademark sense of pacing to focus Pictures' fifteen diverse movements into a coherent vision. The famous Great Gate of Kiev has never had a grander or more solid reading. This is the Pictures to live with.

As a Solti fan, I enjoy his fast paced and vigorous paced performances. I was interested to see that it works well for the 1812 Overture and Pictures. It works less well, I learned, for other types of music such as Prokofiev's Classical Symphony, which needs a lighter touch to be fully appreciated. A first rate performance of that piece can be found on the Orpheus Chamber's recording, coupled with symphonies by Bizet and Britten. Still, Solti's breathlessly paced 1812 overture and Pictures are wonderful.

I was disappointed. Why would I pay money to hear a recording complete with split and miss-centered notes in the high brass?
There are also intonation issues in the woodwinds at times. I agree that it does have some great moments, but there are better recordings of these works out there. I suggest looking elsewhere for a good recording.

These reviews were unhelpful because when you're reviewing the 1812, you have to tell whether real cannons were used or not. That's elementary, and not to know that is to reveal incompetence!

These reviews were unhelpful because when you're reviewing the 1812, you have to tell whether real cannons were used or not. That's elementary, and not to know that is to reveal incompetence!