Respighi: Pines of Rome CD

 Aged Respighi
This was a great recording in it's time, but that time has long passed by. Sonically it cannot compare with modern versions, and there are other interpretations equal to Reiner's.
Submitted by Poppynogood (Iowa City, IA) 
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 also ran
Not one of the greatest Reiner recordings, either in interpretation or sound. The competition is just too stiff. For those who must have everything in Living Stereo.
Submitted by Lumoo (Westlake Village, CA, USA) 
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 No Cigar
This recording is very nicely done. The performance is good and the engineering is excellent considering the fact that the original is half-a-century old. What keeps this CD from getting the rating of "best?" It simply isn't. The Toscanini recording is without a doubt the finest performance of The Pines and The Fountains ever captured. What is overdone and even maudlin in the performances of Respighi from other conductors, is high drama and powerful emotion coming from the NBC orchestra of the 1950's. Toscanini had the magic baton when it came to Respighi. And the RCA LP of these works was a marvel of audio excellence at the time, rivalling that FFRR of London in range and dynamics. Reiner, I feel, was just not simpatico with Resphigi's music where Toscanini definitely was. Your choice is clear.
Submitted by sevendreams (Sonoma County, CA) 
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 performances good, SACD not the best sound
The performances are excellent, but I found the sound in SACD 3-channel to be lacking in soundstage depth, and a little overbrilliant, compared to some of the other Reiner/Chicago reissues (e.g., Mussorgsky/Pictures). I prefer the Dutoit performances in every way, when it comes to the Resphigi. Concerning Toscanini, the performances are great, but the sound is shrill. Maybe it was the audio standard of its day, but this music needs Technicolor!
Submitted by Peter (Cleveland, OH)
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 Lush and Beautiful
"Lush" is the word I use to describe all three of the works here; and in this recording, in particular, this quality is emphasised. These are not new recordings, having been made in 1959 and 1960, as three-track tapes. But remastering to SACD has lifted the sound and does full justice to the wonderful playing of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra under Reiner.
Submitted by John (Port Macquarie 2444 Australia)
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