Search - Ottorino Respighi, Constantin Silvestri, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra :: Tchaikovsky: Manfred Symphony; Respighi: Pini di Roma

A Stellar Pines Of Rome

Jeffrey Lipscomb | Sacramento, CA United States | 05/07/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Maverick conductor Constantin Silvestri (1913-1969) was one of the greatest virtuoso baton-wielders of all time (see my review of his 10-disc "The Collection" set). This 1963 Manfred is an excellent account, although I think it is eclipsed by Silvestri's 1957 recording with the French Radio on a Testament CD (coupled with the greatest Liszt "Tasso" ever recorded).



But this BBC Legends CD is absolutely essential for Respighi's "Pines of Rome." Recorded at Bristol, England in 1967, it's one of the few examples on CD of Silvestri conducting "live." The Bournemouth Symphony has a few rough moments (this was never a truly great orchestra) and the audience is a bit noisy. However, this is the MOST exciting performance of Respighi's warhorse ever to reach my ears - the finale simply has to be heard to be believed!



Highly recommended for a fine Manfred and a STUNNING Pines of Rome!"

Exceptional performances!

Robert Manari | San Francisco, CA United States | 12/12/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Tchaikovsky's Manfred Symphony was always one of Silvestri's favorites and coupled as it is here with Respighi's Pini di Roma makes it for an impossible to resist proposition. For sheer brilliance, coloristic refinement and subtle nuances that only the amazing Silvestri was capable achieving, few recordings come close to these two performances. Also not to be missed is Silvestri's excellent biography by John Gritten with a foreword by Yehudi Menuhin published 1998 in London by Kitzinger and available from Amazon UK or through the Constantin Silvestri Foundation."