Search - Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky, Adrian Leaper, Antoni Wit :: Tchaikovsky: Fantasias after Shakespeare

CONDUCTOR LEAPER IS GREAT

06/23/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Don't let the reviewer from North Carolina scare you. This disc is excellent. Adrian Leaper conducts luminously in "Romeo and Juliet" and "Hamlet," producing integrated renditions of intelligence and power. The orchestral playing is perfect, much better than most "full-priced" orchestras ever manage to achieve for the big labels. The sonics are clear, clean, realistic - not an overmiked, gimmicky, mid-1960s "Ormandy" sound created in a soundboard, but instead what you would hear at an actual concert in a good hall. Wit, in "The Tempest," isn't as great as Leaper but still good. If you want this music, don't hesitate to buy this disc."

Disappointing

kv581 | Durham, NC United States | 04/13/2000

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I am rarely dissatisfied with Naxos recordings. Most of the Naxos CDs that I own are worthy performances that rank among the best of the represented pieces. Unfortunately, the three Tchaikovsky "Shakespeare" works here are mediocrely played and recorded. The interpretations are safe but commonplace; one does not marvel at the genious of the conductor when listening to these performances. Also, quite surprisingly, the sound quality here is only so-so; usually Naxos CDs offer clear digital sounds that rival or even surpass comparable CDs from big-name companies. Thus, I was befuddled when the strings here sound muddier than usual, and some of the details of the performance seem to be lost. Sound quality of this sort is excellent for historical recordings, but it is unexcusable in today's digital age. An excellent performance can offset mediocre sound quality and vice versa, but this CD doesn't excel in either category. The resulting product is disappointing, especially when coming from an esteemed company like Naxos. The only saving grace for this CD is its super-budget price, thus the 3 stars."