"It helps to have a conductor who is experienced with voices, and here Levine triumphs. He has total control over his excellent chorus, and their expressive, virtuosic singing goes a long way to making this one of the greatest readings of the Requiem on disc. Really, they ae on a plateau that even Shaw's choral forces in Atlanta don't match. Everything is gripping and exciting from beginning to end, with super-virtuosic playing from the Berlin Phil and the superlative Pavarotti outshining all rivals in the fiercely difficult Sanctus solos."
Everything is Wonderful!
Trotwood Traddles | 11/11/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"What can I say? Berlioz wrote a great requiem, James Levine conducts superbly, the chorus is great, Pavarotti is an excellent vocal choice, and is performing at his best, and the recording quality is quite nice as well. I, amazingly enough, have no complaints."
The best digital Berlioz Requiem and one of the finest ever
dv_forever | Michigan, USA | 03/19/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is a notoriously difficult work to manage in the studio since it requires a lot of space to fully encompass that massive display of the brass army and the epic choral work is none too easy either. Balancing all that is tricky for the engineers.
I viewed a DVD with Colin Davis conducting this in a cathedral, the perfect place with the battalion of brass in various corners ringing out the day of judgment. Absolutely spectacular.
James Levine delivers here with the BPO, easily making this one of the premium versions of this huge piece that you can find on record. Having the glowing, towering voice of Pavarotti in the big Sanctus is a thrill. There are three overtures on the second disc to fill out the running time. Strong recommendation if you're into Berlioz or you want to get to know Berlioz more in depth. He is one of the most original composers in history."
Magnificent - how is this out of print?
Jeffrey Danowitz | Ramat Aviv, Tel Aviv Israel | 02/18/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is a perfect example of oddity- how is it possible that this performance is no longer available?
From the beginning to the end, this is a gripping performance. It is perfectly conducted, from the vocal end - this is outstanding. The Sanctus, with Pavarotti is probably the best performance of this movement.
The Rex Tremende is very cleverly built. Levine really got this right.
While the Sir Colin Davis performance is an outstanding achievement, I believe that this is even a better performance. The Dies Irae is both "soothing" and shattering. The brass quartets are amazing and the peaking Tuba Mirum can really bring one to tears.
Levine masterfully makes this very difficult work dramatic and moving -- almost like a story being told.
The reviewer who mentioned that the chorus goes beyond Shaw's magnificent performance, is absolutely correct. There is a certain openess and free feeling, as if at any moment things can get out of control -- but there is actually complete control. This natural flowing approach keeps the listener on the edge of his seat during this performance.
The orchestra (Berlin) is equally thrilling, exact, and flawless.
The tempi are also, to my taste, completely correct. The whole effect is very dramatic, never rushed and never dragging -- just interesting.
If you can manage to get your hands on this disc (it appears to be out of print here) you will not be sorry. This is one of those performances that one must hear. I would highly recommend this performance without any doubt.