CD-Charts Position 1

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Mahler: The Symphonies

Search: Ben
by: Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra Radio-Symphonie-Orchester Berlin Riccardo Chailly

Release Date May 16, 2005

CD-Charts Position 2
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Mahler: Symphony No.8

Search: Ben
by: Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra Riccardo Chailly

Release Date March 12, 2001
Yesterday, on the 6th of March, I bought the new M8 by the renowned Concertgebouw Orchestra. What can I say? IMHO, this is the one! Not the one and only...but still...This masterpiece with 8 soloists, extended orchestral forces and with the duration of more than 82 minutes, really cannot be expected to be completely flawless. However, besides from a few minor drawbacks that one may have concerning the tempi (that here and there are on the slower side), I would be surprised if you will NOT be amazed. In this recording, you will find brilliant playing, absolutely superb sound, magnificent choirs and a perfect mix between blasting fire and calm subtleness.

I would not suggest that it should replace your favorite 8th, but you most certainly ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 3
Average Rating:

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Mozart: Complete Edition Box 13: Early Italian Operas (13 CDs)

Search: Ben
by: Various Artists

Release Date October 17, 2005
Yesterday, on the 6th of March, I bought the new M8 by the renowned Concertgebouw Orchestra. What can I say? IMHO, this is the one! Not the one and only...but still...This masterpiece with 8 soloists, extended orchestral forces and with the duration of more than 82 minutes, really cannot be expected to be completely flawless. However, besides from a few minor drawbacks that one may have concerning the tempi (that here and there are on the slower side), I would be surprised if you will NOT be amazed. In this recording, you will find brilliant playing, absolutely superb sound, magnificent choirs and a perfect mix between blasting fire and calm subtleness.

I would not suggest that it should replace your favorite 8th, but you most certainly ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 4
Average Rating:

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Mozart - Mitridate, re di Ponto

Search: Ben
by: Sandrine Piau, Juan Diego Florez

Release Date March 08, 1999
Sabattini is a very good tenor but he is not a Mozart singer in my opinion; I was very disappointed in this casting.

CD-Charts Position 5
Average Rating:

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Verdi: Il Trovatore

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by: Bocelli, Cedolins.

Release Date June 21, 2004
Sabattini is a very good tenor but he is not a Mozart singer in my opinion; I was very disappointed in this casting.

CD-Charts Position 6
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Verdi: Il Trovatore

Search: Ben
from: Doubles

Release Date November 24, 1997
Sabattini is a very good tenor but he is not a Mozart singer in my opinion; I was very disappointed in this casting.

CD-Charts Position 7
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Verdi: Il Trovatore

Search: Ben
by: Ettore Bastianini Antonietta Stella Fiorenza Cossotto Carlo Bergonzi Orchestra del Teatro alla Scala di Milano Tullio Serafin

Release Date November 13, 2006
While I agree with much that the Santa Fe listener says in his review, I think his verdict a little harsh. This set has a lot going for it: an all Italian cast; a superlative Di Luna, Azucena and Ferrando in Bastianini, Cossotto and Vinco respectively; probably the greatest Italian conductor of his generation, and a chance for Bergonzi fans to hear him tackle a role at the limit of his capability.

It is true that Serafin is sometimes a little too relaxed; his "Squilli, echeggi la tromba" at the start of Part III is simply too slow and lacking in martial bravura but elsewhere he displays his mastery of the score and is always considerate of his singers. There is a problem with Stella's Leonora; it is most noticeable in her placid, careful ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 8
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Carlo Bergonzi - The Sublime Voice

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by: Carlo Bergonzi

Release Date June 14, 2004
Two an a half hours of tenor singing may sound like a bad idea for one's health. But two and a half hours with Bergonzi fly by. This is Italian tenor singing at ts best, devoid of false sentimentality and full of true sentiment. Bergonzi's voice may lack something in what the Italians call squillo, the brazen trumpet-like sound of somebody like Franco Corelli, but it it is full of morbidezza - the languorous sweetness - that sets him apart from nearly all others. A great collection.

CD-Charts Position 9
Average Rating:

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Ultimate Opera

Search: Ben
by: Various Artists

Release Date May 14, 2007
Two an a half hours of tenor singing may sound like a bad idea for one's health. But two and a half hours with Bergonzi fly by. This is Italian tenor singing at ts best, devoid of false sentimentality and full of true sentiment. Bergonzi's voice may lack something in what the Italians call squillo, the brazen trumpet-like sound of somebody like Franco Corelli, but it it is full of morbidezza - the languorous sweetness - that sets him apart from nearly all others. A great collection.

CD-Charts Position 10
Average Rating:

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Verdi: Il Trovatore

Search: Ben
from: Opera Double Decca

Release Date January 18, 1999
It is interesting to hear IL TROVATORE conducted by Bonynge, known for brisk music, since it makes for some unusual results with a very controversial choice of tempos.The recording starts off slowly, lacking impetus, as if Ferrando's task was not to keep the soldiers awake late at night by the awkward story, but to make them fall asleep as soon as possible... Bonynge maintains the sluggish mood also at the beginning of the second scene when Leonora steps forward with a big entrance recitative and aria, which makes Sutherland sound too distant, vulnerable and ethereal (strangely, you do not get this impression in the final scene, Prima che d'altri vivere, when Leonora is dying), far from a determined woman in love, waiting impatiently for her lover to ... Read More: