"This cd contains top recordings (well, nearly peerless) of Island of the dead by Racmaninov, especially in great sound and style,-not surprisingly Mohr and Layton impressive production job. It is known for quite a long time as audiophile's favourite and truly deserves the praise it has received for years in the hifi press;the sonics are amazing and the Chicago Orchestra could be compared to the best orchestras from Europe. F.Reiner stands on high heels with a devastatingly beautiful Pavane, from Ravel;the Spanish Rhapsody reveals a richly textured atmosphere."
The essential Isle of the Dead
LYNN BECKER | Chicago IL USA | 01/18/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"For those of you who think Rachmaninoff is a superficial composer, this is the CD for you. Reiner's Isle of the Dead spoils you for any other - listening to another performance you can't help but begin thinking how it falls short. Long before George Solti, Reiner whipped the Chicago Symphony - often, apparently, through sheer terror - into an orchestra that was second to none, with many of its most phenomenal performances documented by RCA in recordings whose sound, even though they date back the dawn of the stereo age, surpasses most CD's issued today. From its opening measures, Reiner's performance of Isle of the Dead grabs you by the throat and never lets go."
A must for every music lover
Ytzan | Athens, GR | 08/30/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Fritz Reiner has never let me down. A minimalist leaving the music to speak for itself. All pieces of this great CD are amazing, though my favourite is the "Totentanz". Byron Janis, passionate as always, gives the reading of a lifetime. The "Isle" is great too, among the very best I have heard, though the sound is not always supporting the music making - especially before the first climax. As an alternative I would go with Askhenazy (Decca). Still a must...."
An Odd Collection - But Wonderful
tvarley@frontiernet.net | Otisville, NY | 03/31/1999
(4 out of 5 stars)
"The Chicago Symphony was a great orchestra even before Solti, although it was only during Fritz Reiner's tenure (1953-62) that it began to be recognized as such. This disc gives you some idea of the range of repertoire they addressed, and with what skill.The Ravel recordings have been reissued many times and are superbly done. The Weber is a delight, wonderfully unbuttoned. The Liszt, well, is not my cup of tea. I prefer my dances of death a little more sedate, thank you.The real treasure of this CD is the Rachmaninoff (or -ov, if you prefer). I first heard this recording played on a then long unavailable LP in a used record shop in Philadelphia about 25 years ago. It's a gripping, surging powerful reading that has rarely been available, until this re-issue. There was a short-lived Gold Seal LP transfer in the 1970s, rather poorly done. The CD, however, has all the thrust of the original LP, and then some. Reiner and his orchestra carry you over the waves to the dark island of Bocklin's painting. This is not to be missed by any lover of Rachmaninoff's Romantic gloom."