Track Listings (10) - Disc #1| All Artists: Walton, Hampson, Bham, City of Birmingham Symphony, Simon Rattle Title: Belshazzar's Feast Members Wishing: 0 Total Copies: 0 Label: Angel Records Release Date: 10/6/1998 Genre: Classical Styles: Opera & Classical Vocal, Historical Periods, Modern, 20th, & 21st Century, Symphonies Number of Discs: 1 SwapaCD Credits: 1 UPC: 724355659224 |
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Search - Walton, Hampson, Bham :: Belshazzar's Feast
 | Walton, Hampson, Bham Belshazzar's Feast Genre: Classical
EMI has very wisely re-coupled Rattle's good, but not great, recording of Walton's First Symphony to a spectacular performance of Belshazzar's Feast, the composer's most popular work. The result is really more than the sum... more » |
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Amazon.com EMI has very wisely re-coupled Rattle's good, but not great, recording of Walton's First Symphony to a spectacular performance of Belshazzar's Feast, the composer's most popular work. The result is really more than the sum of its parts--an excellent introduction to the composer and his work. In fact, even the performance of the First Symphony somehow gains in stature from being paired with the oratorio, with Rattle's essentially lyrical conception of the piece nicely complementing the no-holds-barred choral and orchestra hysteria of the cantata. In the later work, he captures more detail in the instrumental parts than just about any other conductor, but never at the expense of the big picture, and his rhythmic discipline is second to none. The recorded sound also has tremendous amplitude and immediacy. A great recording. --David Hurwitz Similar CDs
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CD ReviewsAs great a pleasure to hear as it was to make! 11/08/1998 (5 out of 5 stars) "Another member of the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus would like to chime in here - working with Sir Simon and the Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and Chorus was a thrilling experience, and Sir Simon's brilliant direction of the orchestra and the (ENORMOUS) double chorus shine through exquisitely in the recording. The tempos are every bit as manic as I remember them and the work still retains its clarity and impact. Bravo Birmingham and many thanks to EMI-Angel. Overall rating: UNFORGETTABLE!" Fantastic lou_goodwin@atkearney.com | Cleveland, Ohio, USA | 10/27/1998 (5 out of 5 stars) "As a member of the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus joining with the Birmingham Symphony and Chorus to create this work was a wonderful experience. Hearing the finished product is even more thrilling. The tonal quality is excellent. Words are crisp and clean. Orchestra timbre never overshadowing the chorus. Truly a feast for the ears!" FINALLY AN OUTSTANDING BELSHAZZAR'S RECORDING Gregg M. Howell | Baltimore, MD United States | 01/15/2002 (4 out of 5 stars) "I purchased this recording solely for the Belshazzar's Feast and that is what this review is based on.I am not a fan of William Walton. I fear he has been overrated on the whole, but Belshazzar's Feast is certainly one of his better compositions. I've sung this oratorio twice, and it is a very, very difficult piece of music for both singer and instrumentalist.Learning notes, rythmn, etc. is only the beginning. Interjecting the piece with all the drama, dynamics, and energy it requires is a monumental task for any chorus and orchestra. The performing forces combined to produce this recording are truly exceptional, especially the chorus. Crisp diction, unyielding attention to rythmn and dynamics turns this potentially wall of noise into a most enjoyable musical experience. It will be hard for you not to have chills at the end of this one!!"
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