The search for a great recording of Bruckner' s Te Deum
bill | West Islip, NY USA | 11/04/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I heard Bruno Walter's account of this piece for the first time tonight, and I must say I was blown away. I always knew that this was an extraordinary work, yet all other recordings I've heard made it seem like something less. Karajans digital recording put me to sleep; Jochums was just missing a little something. I bought Walters account because I loved his recording of the ninth. Now first off I must say, THIS IS NOT A PERFECT RECORDING. It is not for those who are so uptight about sound that they can't tolerate a little hiss or lack of space. It does sound its age (195?). However, I still find it to be a most enjoyable recording and I think sony does wonders with remastering. And Bruno Walters vision is just extraordinary. I've never heard anything like it. This may not be a perfect recording, but it is the best on the market."
A gift to humanity
Tommy Nielsen | Kolding Denmark | 11/01/1998
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Walter's reading of the Mozart Requiem is said to be the classic one. But you'll find several versions from his hand on the market. This surely is the best. It has a far better choir than the Vienna Philharmonic-set (who conducted that awful choir??) and the soloists are magnificent, both Seefried and Simoneau at the peak of their powers. But what classifies this recording as outstanding is of course Walter's conducting. He knew better than anybody what this piece is about. Norrington, Hogwood, McCreesh, Gardiner etc., this is a question of music - music of the highest order - not about being authentic or not."
The definitive performance of Mozart's Requiem
Axler | Jackson Heights, New York United States | 12/15/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I have listened to more than two dozen performances of the Requiem, and this is as close to perfect as it gets. The only disadvantage is the sound quality, but it is a minor trade-off."
Great Performances, Good Monaural Sound
Timothy Dougal | Madison, Wi United States | 03/14/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"These are two recordings from Walter's tenure with the New York Philharmonic in the 50's, so the sound isn't glisteningly digital and defined. However, it is more than good enough for me. The performances are tremendous. Bruckner's "Te Deum" has never been more granitically powerful, and the soloists are downright rapturous (Frances Yeend, you go girl!). Mozart's "Requiem" is exquisite, and thankfully Walter achieves a sense of unity between Mozart's sections of the work and Sussmayr's, which many conductor's seem unable to manage."
Track Listings (21) - Disc #1