Customer Reviews

Vienna [Hybrid SACD]

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

 

 

This recording of Viennese music performed by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Fritz Reiner is one of the most successful re-releases with RCA's Living Stereo Hybrid SACD series. The selections composed by either Johann or Josef Strauss were taken from an earlier release in the Fritz Reiner Collection (60177-2-RG) and Weber's "Invitation to the Dance is taken from The Reiner Sound. Also included is Richard Strauss' Der Rosenkavalier Waltz Sequence No. 1. The sound is simply unbelievable! I do not exaggerate when I say that it sounds like it was recorded yesterday; it just blows you away! As always, Fritz Reiner sounds like he was born to conduct this music. He has long been known for his success with the music of Strauss and his personal friendship to Richard Strauss.

This is a recording you cannot miss! Highly reccommendable and well worth your money!

Reiner's approach to the Strauss Viennese style is somewhat inconsistent. For example he takes the Emperor Waltzes in "straight" 3/4 time and is thus devoid of the traditional anticipated second beat slightly throwing off the snare drum and mars a tradition that gives the Viennese waltz its uniqueness and charm. He also makes in my judgment a serious error in cutting part of the finale coda...a move which knocks out the necessary tension leading to the grand rise of orchestral forces culminating in the final tympani roll. Other tracks do include some very nice idiosyncratic "lite" touches and are delightful. His use of rubato could be a bit more liberally applied. Reiner's tempos are lively and the orchestra responds with polish. The SACD has a fine sound presence in comparison to the analogue CD version.

Three stars for interpretation. But for authentic Viennese music making try Karajan, Kempe or Boskovsky.

Reiner doing Strauss Waltzes? Always controversial. However, if the foot taps, you get a sudden urge to conduct the music or leap onto the dance floor, then it's probably working. And so it proves here, for the most part.

And then we come to the sound. Tracks 1-6 date from 1957 and the remainder from 1960. Sonically, the earlier session is just plain astonishing, in the top tier of Living Stereo, with all that implies in terms of transparency, musical lucidity, instrumental timbre and hall presence. For some of the tracks, the technology just vanishes and you are just there. You just can't ask for more than that.

The remaining tracks don't quite live up to this exalted standard. The mikes are palpably closer in 1960 and - even pulling back the volume correspondingly, the hall and musical coherence dissipates rather. So, a down-grade from 'magical' to merely 'excellent' - although the bass drum thwacks for the 'Thunder and Lighting Polka' - which closes the SACD, will certainly stir you from slumber.

A no-brainer purchase if the repertoire appeals or you are interested in high-end sound. And at this crazy price?

I have purchased almost 20 of the Living Stereo SACDs, and this one may be the best recording/transfer of the bunch. The turntable is only gathering dust these days. Reiner was born in 1888, and was schooled by people of the 19th century, and listening to this SACD is like taking a time capsule to a Wien from another era.

These classic performances are just a delight. I never tire from them even after repeated listenings. Some of Reiner's best stuff. Great SACD sound too.