Search - Respighi, Sinopoli, Npo :: Pines of Rome / Fountains of Rome

Not very Roman

HB | Fort Mill, SC | 04/16/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I owned this CD for a few years and then it was off to the used CD store. I found the performances, while very well played by the New York Phil., simply dull. I think the late conductor took the music too seriously, playing it like Johannes Brahms. The passion and fire are simply nowhere to be found. If Maestro Sinopoli was trying to make this music better than it really is, he was making a mistake. Better to simply to play the music as it was intended. In other words, have fun with it."

Not at all a Bad Performance with Sinopoli

Shota Hanai | Torrance, CA | 06/09/2001

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Both "Pines of Rome" and "Fountains of Rome" played by Sinopoli with the New York Phil lack a bit of musical and instrumental effect compared to Karajan with the Berlin Phil, recorded on the same company. On "Fountains of Rome", the orchestra is less expressive and more apathetic. One "Pines of Rome", the climatic movement is rather very slow, less bold and very loosely performed. However, I think both recording is okay. The "Roman Festivals" is performed almost like most regular performances, lacking energy a bit on the climax. Or is it that Bernstein's performance with the New York Phil on "Roman Festivals" is untraditionally very unique ,yet extremely exciting, with all the revealing sounds of the tambarines and the tam-tam?On the other hand, I pretty much like this CD. The performance with my favorite American orchestra is not at all bad, especially the climax of "The Pines of Rome", slow tempo, but enough triumph to show."

Not bad but

S. Heinen | Tulsa, OK United States | 11/10/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

"why would you buy this when you could buy Fritz Reiner's legendary performance with the CSO for less $$? I can't think of any reason.



When I got the Reiner CD, this one became a gift to a non-discriminating friend (who I hope doesn't read this)!"