Search - Bartok, Kodaly, Weiner :: Cantata Profana / Psalmus Hungaricus

A touching memento

Peter Czipott | San Diego, CA United States | 08/08/2002

(3 out of 5 stars)

"It seemed so fitting for Georg Solti's final recording to be made "back home" that I really wanted the album to be outstanding. And it is a fine recording and, mostly, a set of fine performances. Solti's commitment to the music is never in doubt, and the BFO play to the manner born. The Weiner suite, in particular, receives as relaxed and musical a performance as Solti ever produced. Bartok's masterly cantata benefits from the magnificent baritone of Alexandru Agache, and in both that and the Kodaly, the chorus sings superbly. The recording is, however, let down by the horribly strained tenor of Tamas Daroczy. This leaves Cantata Profana still without a fully adequate recording. Ferencsik's classic account is in poor sound; and Boulez' version, while superbly executed, lacks in passion. If only Philips would record it with Ivan Fischer and his BFO, and with top-flight soloists! Fortunately, Psalmus Hungaricus has benefited from numerous stellar recordings, of which my favorite remains the Kertesz (also on Decca, from the late 60's). All in all, then, a touching memento of Solti's career, but most worthwhile for the least familiar music: Leo Weiner's lovely Suite."