Verdi - Messa da Requiem / Gheorghiu · Barcellona · Alagna · Konstantinov · Berliner Philharmoniker · Abbado

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Verdi's Requiem--certainly one of his most moving, eloquent masterpieces--was written in honor of the great Italian poet Alessandro Manzoni, whom he admired enormously both for his writings and his political outlook. Though its text is the Latin liturgy, it has been called Verdi's greatest opera because of its basically dramatic character, as well as his own ambivalent attitude toward organized religion. Thus, interpretations tend to emphasize its secular or its sacred aspect, though, naturally, the soloists are trained in the Verdi opera tradition.

For example, Toscanini's legendary performance, recorded live at Carnegie Hall in 1951, takes exactly the opposite approach to this version. Inwardly expressive, noble, devout, pleading, prayerful, yet with plenty of dramatic intensity, the Toscanini encompasses every human emotion and offers a synthesis of Verdi's vision of the earthly and the sublime. The performers on this recording, captured live on the 100th anniversary of Verdi's death, take the theatrical view. The soloists swoop and slide, sob and sigh, and overdramatize the fear and trembling. Tenor Roberto Alagna belts out his part in the best operatic style, the bass sounds rough, the alto's vibrato wobbles, but soprano Angela Gheorghiu soars radiantly. The choruses are good, the orchestra is wonderful, but the dynamic contrasts go from inaudible to ear-splitting. --Edith Eisler

Verdi - Messa da Requiem / Gheorghiu · Barcellona · Alagna · Konstantinov · Berliner Philharmoniker · Abbado, Music, Giuseppe Verdi, Claudio Abbado, Angela Gheorghiu, Roberto Alagna, Daniela Barcellona, Choral, Classical, Classical Composers, Classical Music, Opera / Operetta / Oratorio, Requiem/Requiem Section
Verdi - Messa da Requiem / Gheorghiu · Barcellona · Alagna · Konstantinov · Berliner Philharmoniker · Abbado
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • It "grew" on me.
  • A superb recording of Verdi's Requiem
  • Wonderful live recording
  • The Best Verdi Requiem recording
  • A "Regular People" Review
 Verdi - Messa da Requiem / Gheorghiu · Barcellona · Alagna · Konstantinov · Berliner Philharmoniker · Abbado
Giuseppe Verdi , Claudio Abbado , Angela Gheorghiu , Roberto Alagna , and Daniela Barcellona
Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

All Works by VerdiAll Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
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Berlin Philharmonic OrchestraBerlin Philharmonic Orchestra | ( B ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B00005MG6F
Release Date: 2001-11-20

Tracks:

  1. Requiem E Kyrie: Requiem Aeternam
  2. Requiem E Kyrie: Kyrie Eleison
  3. Sequenza: Dies Irae
  4. Sequenza: Tuba Mirum
  5. Sequenza: Mors Stupebit
  6. Sequenza: Liber Scriptus - Dies Irae
  7. Sequenza: Quid Sum Miser
  8. Sequenza: Rex Tremendae
  9. Sequenza: Recordare
  10. Sequenza: Ingemisco
  11. Sequenza: Confutatis - Dies Irae
  12. Sequenza: Lacrymosa

Tracks:

  1. Offertorio: Domine Jesu Christe
  2. Offertorio: Hostias
  3. Sanctus
  4. Agnus Dei
  5. Lux Aeterna
  6. Libera Me: Libera Me, Domine
  7. Libera Me: Dies Irae
  8. Libera Me: Requiem Aeternam
  9. Libera Me: Libera Me, Domine

Amazon.com

Verdi's Requiem--certainly one of his most moving, eloquent masterpieces--was written in honor of the great Italian poet Alessandro Manzoni, whom he admired enormously both for his writings and his political outlook. Though its text is the Latin liturgy, it has been called Verdi's greatest opera because of its basically dramatic character, as well as his own ambivalent attitude toward organized religion. Thus, interpretations tend to emphasize its secular or its sacred aspect, though, naturally, the soloists are trained in the Verdi opera tradition.

For example, Toscanini's legendary performance, recorded live at Carnegie Hall in 1951, takes exactly the opposite approach to this version. Inwardly expressive, noble, devout, pleading, prayerful, yet with plenty of dramatic intensity, the Toscanini encompasses every human emotion and offers a synthesis of Verdi's vision of the earthly and the sublime. The performers on this recording, captured live on the 100th anniversary of Verdi's death, take the theatrical view. The soloists swoop and slide, sob and sigh, and overdramatize the fear and trembling. Tenor Roberto Alagna belts out his part in the best operatic style, the bass sounds rough, the alto's vibrato wobbles, but soprano Angela Gheorghiu soars radiantly. The choruses are good, the orchestra is wonderful, but the dynamic contrasts go from inaudible to ear-splitting. --Edith Eisler

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars It "grew" on me........2007-07-06

I bought this CD mostly because I heard a few Arias sung by Ms. Gheorghiu and liked her singing enough that I thought I'd give this work a try. This piece is well performed however, it goes from soft to loud and startled me a few times so it can be a little strange adjusting the volume to compensate. As for Ms. Gheorghiu, I wasn't sure what to think of her voice at first in this because I am newer to this genre (I'm a heavy metal "convert") but hey, I'm trying! Anyway, her voice and the music has grown on me and I think she "plays the part well." This composition is not meant to be used in a liturgy...not ever!...and I don't know what Verdi's ideal performance of this would be, but I say she fits the part because the Requiem Mass this is based off of is actually a Mass offered for the holy souls in purgarty that they may have repose into heaven. So, I'd say her darker voice is perhaps the perfect way to express a soul praying to be "liberated."

5 out of 5 stars A superb recording of Verdi's Requiem.......2007-06-19

Verdi's Requiem is one of my favorite pieces from the great Italian maestro. Although it was written in the structure of a Requiem mass, I think that Verdi's composition allowed his dramatic, operatic element to seep into its musical backbone. Many recordings of Verdi's requiem feature conductors who either highlight its spiritual qualities or its operatic qualities, but very few of them are able to coalesce these two in one successful interpretation. I usually like to recommend Solti's recording for its drive, Karajan's Berlin recording for its unnatural, gracefuly beauty, Muti's recording for its energy, Giulini's BBC recording for its spiritual quality, and Toscanini's for its so-called Verdian spirit. All of those Requiems are magnificent, but I would highly recommend this recording for its ability to combine a bit of everything into an interpretation that wins this listener into believing that it is the best Verdi requiem...ever. Abbado was known in his prime as one of the greatest Verdi conductors, and for the kind of musicality and elegance he brings to the score. From him was I able to hear the best Simon Boccanegra, Macbeth, Don Carlo, Aida, Un Ballo, and Falstaff. From this 2001 recording, we also have perhaps the most compelling recording of the maestro's Requiem we will ever hear in this lifetime. This recording has it all--the gravitas, the spiritual abandon, the despondence, the reverence, and the hope that a requiem mass would require for all its resounding themes of death. The Requiem that begins the piece is dealt with the kind of clean execution that the Berlin Philharmonic could only execute, and Abbado does this with an Italianate colour that you will never find in Karajan's recording with the same orchestra. The Dies Irae section is played with such virtuosity and ferocity that you'd almost feel like Solti's recording paled in comparison with the precise articulation of the Berliners. The Liber Scriptus, Recordare, and the Lacrymosa have never been played more beautifully in any other recording. In the Hostias, Abbado is able to imbue an Italianate grace into the music with the shimmering strings of the Berlin forces. It is an experience that every music lover must be able to experience. The Sanctus is played with a waltzy playfulness, while the Agnus Dei and the Lux Aeterna are given a sense of Spiritual longing and hope that gives the piece a most rewarding near-ending before the great Libera Me. The glorious Libera Me that ends this masterpiece has been conducted in the hands of Austrians and Prussians who give it a more Beethoven-like treatment or a Wagnerian drive that does not fit the musical writing, but Abbado gives us exactly what Verdi would probably have wanted, and gives the listener an unforgettable musical experience. This is Verdian conducting at its finest, and with such a great orchestra plus a collaboration of tonally and musically excellent choruses like the Swedish Radio Choruses and the Eric Ericson Chamber choir make this one of the most outstanding orchestral and choral collaborations.

The soloists are perhaps one of the most commendable quartet of singers ever to have sung the parts. Roberto Alagna sings the tenor solos with the grace and fluency that typifies this great artist, whereas the bass Julian Konstantinov gives the music the gravitas recalling Nicolai Ghiaurov. Listen to the Confutatis and you'll know what I mean. Daniela Barcellona is an excellent mezzo, and although I still think Bumbry, Simionato, Ludwig, and Cossotto give more unforgettable readings of the alto parts like the Lacrymosa, Agnus Dei, and the Lux Aeterna, Barcellona more than holds up to these great names. I think her timbre is absolutely breathtaking and reverent, if one can describe it as such. Finally, there is Angela Gheorghiu, one of the best sopranos to sing the glorious solo parts. Gheorghiu is known as one of the best vocal painters due to the way she shades her voice in just about everything she sings. Has there ever been a better Libera Me? In my opinion, despite the fact that Freni, Scotto, and Tebaldi were more vocally endowed, no other soprano has made the Libera Me such a spiritually lifting experience. Five stars from this listener, and I hope that all of you will be encouraged to buy this great Requiem!

5 out of 5 stars Wonderful live recording.......2007-05-09

Gheorghiu is luscious in looks as well as voice and dramatic interpretation. Barcellona and Alagna do fine jobs and Abbado is a master at bringing out Verdi's nuances. Highly recommended.

5 out of 5 stars The Best Verdi Requiem recording.......2007-02-10

If you like your Verdi to jump from whispers to booming drums, you will love this version of the Verdi Requiem. It has the liveliness I've come to enjoy in this masterpiece. In previewing various versions on Amazon, others sounded tame by comparison. And, this one is offered for an excellent price.

5 out of 5 stars A "Regular People" Review.......2006-12-06

This disk is a for sure favorite that anyone will love, don't typically listen to classical?...Who cares, this is a great introduction to Verdi (at least I think so anyway) and can convert you to Classical music (and OPERA!). NEOPHYTES apply here! No experience neccessary...and keep me updated!

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