Search - Giuseppe Verdi, Emil Tabakov, Stefania Toczyska :: Giuseppe Verdi: Messa da Requiem; Quattro Pezzi Sacri

This rendition needs to be more recognized

Eric S. Kim | Southern California | 03/06/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Conductor Emil Tabakov has given an astonishing interpretation of Verdi's Requiem Mass and Four Sacred Pieces. The tempi seems almost accurate, the orchestra is in top form, and the choir gives these two italian pieces musical justice. The soloists, especially Olga Romanko, are fine when it comes to agression and sadness. Tenor Ombuena is certainly a lot better than tenor Andrea Bocelli, who is immensely miscast in conductor Valery Gergiev's version. The well-known Dies Irae is a stand to the test of time, while Offertorio is enchanging on very high levels. It's too bad, though, that this rendition isn't as famous as Abbado's, Muti's or Harnoncourt's. Overall, I recommend this to anybody who is either a beginner to classical music or a fanatic (I mean that in a good way) who needs just one more rendition to put in his special collection."