Search - Cesar Franck, Igor Stravinsky, Pierre Monteux :: César Franck: Monteux; Igor Stravinsky: Pétrouchka

Marvelous performance, lousy remastering

Edward Qubain | Austin TX | 04/16/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Monteux and the CSO give the best recording I have heard of the Franck symphony-- it is justly famous. However, the remastering is awful. I have compared this cd with an earlier cd issue from the library and this new remastering has removed the power and fullness of the music. Some new detail emerges in this remastering but the price is too high. I have found the same problem with other RCA "Living Sterio" discs like the Reiner/CSO recording of Also Sprach Zarathustra or the Pines of Rome. My advice is to look for older used cds with these recordings."

A Great Recording

D. A Wend | Buffalo Grove, IL USA | 02/28/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a nice disc of two heavily recorded favorite pieces. Pierre Monteux, through his long association with this music, has an authority that is justified here. The Frank Symphony is rousing. The CSO performs the music flawlessly. I had not heard it for some time and it was great to make its acquaintance again. This recording of Petrouchka uses the 1911 score, which may take some listeners by surprise since the drum rolls between the scenes are absent. The ballet is beautifully recorded and Pierre Monteux and the Boston Symphony are in top form. It is interesting to know that the conductor, who premiered this work, never ceased making small tempo changes here and there, always trying to give a different presentation of the ballet.This disc is part of the remastered Living Stereo series and has transferred remarkably well. Even if you have other recordings of these works, these should be part of your collection."

Towering, majestic, etc.

Gregory M. Zinkl | Chicago, IL | 02/22/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

".... The conducting is amazing--such rubato! There is hardlytwo beats that are the same duration--and yet the music justflows!Chicago forces give a pumped-up performance that fitsMonteux's view superlatively--and really makes waste of Monteux's SanFrancisco forces, ... nothing like the excellent group that residesthere now!It's quite an experience."