Joyous Homecoming
Charlie | Maryland USA | 01/16/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"When Mstislav Rostropovich finally returned to Russia after many years of exile in the United States, he brought our own National Symphony Orchestra with him. Rostropovich's musical homecoming is captured on this unique recording. The Russian audience gives their beloved "Slava" an ecstatic welcome; the recording lets us hear them stomping, yelling, and cheering in joyous applause after each song. As exciting as it must have been, the orchestra stays focused through what must have been a very long and demanding concert. The concert begins with Russian master Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 6, "Pathetique" and ends with two American classics that are more than well-received. The audience claps along to John Phillip Sousa's famous march "The Stars and Stripes Forever." I imagine that Rostropovich himself was probably on the verge of tears. This is everything that a live recording should be."
Must Have CD!!
Donald L. Ames | Spokane Valley, WA United States | 07/29/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I rarely submit an online review but I must with this one. I have over 2,000 compact disks and this one quickly rose to the top 10 of my favorites. The repertoire is diverse and well thought out in addition to a solid live performance. I heard Tchaikovsky's Sixth Symphony numerous times but it hearing it again by the NSO was like a first kiss! I am not even close to being an expert on sound engineering but this cd is crystal clear and all of the parts come through and are well blended. Being a clarinetist myself, the clarinet solo on "Shall We Dance" was probably my favorite behind the Tchaikovsky. I have played Stars and Stripes approximately 1,000,006 times (not much of an exaggeration!) and there is nothing special here other than the fact that it can light up an audience no matter where on earth it is played! Hope this helps. Don Ames"