Rossini Overtures - Gamba, London Symphony
Hal T. Denton | Cookeville, TN | 07/14/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I didn't buy this on vinyl back in the 1960s when I should have, and I'm glad to see it's been released on CD.
What a remarkable item this is. Gamba was always at his best playing Rossini overtures. This set of six overtures is ahead of the pack. Say what you will about Gamba, but his playing of the William Tell is so incredibly fast paced that it takes your breath away. He's always been known for this kind of thing. You either like it or you don't. I do. Nothing boring here. It will blow you out of your listening room. Superb recording too in early stereo from Decca London.
Hal Denton
Cookeville, TN"
Joyous!
Drastic | Cascade, MD United States | 12/04/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Lively, spirited, happy, exuberant! Technical excellence is given with the LSO, and Gamba adds life. He can get inside Rossini's head and make a bunch of familiar old tunes sound fresh again. Just wonderful, and easily my favorite performance of this stuff. The recorded sound is excellent also. Sure I wish I had a mint copy of the LP, but this CD will make your music system stand up and sing if your system is up to the task."