J. L. Bonebakker | Mountain View, California USA | 06/03/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This CD is well known in Europe and has consistently recieved rave reviews. The clarity of the recording, the quality of the voices and their balance give it a haunting quality. The whole recording is well paced and to the point, nothing unnecessary has been added allowing the music to stand on its own.This recording evokes an emotional response every time I listen to it. It is the perfect music for Sunday morning and such a pleasure to listen to. It is by far the best recording of the Stabat Mater I have ever heard and I highly recommend it."
Absolutely SUPERB
Angel Bebe | USA | 12/13/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Pergolesi's Stabat Mater is, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful pieces in classical music. Like Mozart, he had so much poise and passion at such a young age (he composed this work in his mid 20's). I have heard several versions of Stabat Mater but my absolute favorite is the London Symphony Orchestra's (conducted by Claudio Abbado). Soprano Margaret Marshall and Contralto Lucia Valentini Terrani are both superb and angelic in this performance especially in the final track (Quando corpus morietur), which totally enraptures the listener."
Female voices, spirit and faith at highest delicacy.
Alvaro Mateos | spain | 05/24/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Some say is theatrical interpretation, if so, is at the highest degree of interpretation. I don't like opera music, but I like some oratorios and this is probably one of the most evocating if not the most.
I own this CD for over 6 years already, and I play it back again and again. And I still buy and give it away as a present for many friends and family.
Sound quality is OK, but I would kill for a good digital transfer remasterization.
One name: MARGARET MARSHALL...! femenine, spiritual, delicate, accurate, never corny: Supreme."
Excellent little gem. Brilliant Performance
B. Marold | Bethlehem, PA United States | 09/01/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I was quite surprised to read in the notes how young Giovanni Pergolesi was when he wrote this music. It is no surprise to have good music written by Wunderkinds. Witness Mozart and a half dozen other prodegies. But Mozart didn't write really inspiring liturgical works until his late twenties and thirties. This piece is simply 'divine', especially for a mass which is neither a general mass nor a requiem. I have not heard any other performances, but to my amateur ears, this one sound just great."
Stunning Performance
W. Saumweber | San Francisco, California | 09/30/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I have almost all recordings of this piece in my collection. None equals this one. I don't even know how to describe the experience of listening to this recording. Mystical? Otherwordly? Meditative? Sheer beauty? Maybe all of those qualities together: a spiritual experience on top of the mere aesthetic one.
Every nuance of this beautiful piece comes out in this performance. The singing, the orchestra, and the conducting are sublime and of the highest quality. One of my all-time favorite record!