Hymn Of The Nations

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
This has long been the standard by which other recordings of Verdi's Requiem are measured. Many others have better sound engineering, you may prefer a soloist or even the chorus (perhaps a later group trained by Robert Shaw) in one competing version or another, and it is quite possible to prefer the period-instrument sound of John Gardiner's taut interpretation. But no other conductor has matched the sheer intensity with which Arturo Toscanini translates the titanic and fearful vision of his friend Verdi into sound. This vision, which includes the end of the world, the dead rising from their graves and the assignment of each one either to heaven or to hell, is the climactic point of Verdi's epic style. The fillers are mostly interesting and inspiring, though Hymn of the Nations, a collage of national anthems, is one of Verdi's creative low points. --Joe McLellan

Tracks:

Quattro pezzi sacri, Four Sacred Pieces, No. 4: Te Deum
Messa da requiem: Requiem & Kyrie
Dies irae
Dies Irae: Tuba mirum
Dies Irae: Mors stupebit
Dies Irae: Liber scriptus
Dies Irae: Quid sum miser
Dies Irae: Rex tremendae
Dies Irae: Recordare
Dies Irae: Ingemisco
Dies Irae: Confutatis
Dies Irae: Lacrymosa

Tracks:

Offertorio: Domine Jesu Christe
Offertorio: Hostias
Offertorio: Sanctus
Offertorio: Agnus Dei
Offertorio: Lux aeterna
Libera Me: Libera me, Domine
Libera Me: Dies irae
Libera Me: Libera me, Domine
Nabucco: Va, pensiero, sull'ali dorate
Luisa Miller: Quandro le sere al placido
Inno delle nazioni,Hymn of the Nations

Amazon.com

This has long been the standard by which other recordings of Verdi's Requiem are measured. Many others have better sound engineering, you may prefer a soloist or even the chorus (perhaps a later group trained by Robert Shaw) in one competing version or another, and it is quite possible to prefer the period-instrument sound of John Gardiner's taut interpretation. But no other conductor has matched the sheer intensity with which Arturo Toscanini translates the titanic and fearful vision of his friend Verdi into sound. This vision, which includes the end of the world, the dead rising from their graves and the assignment of each one either to heaven or to hell, is the climactic point of Verdi's epic style. The fillers are mostly interesting and inspiring, though Hymn of the Nations, a collage of national anthems, is one of Verdi's creative low points. --Joe McLellan

Customer Reviews:

Verdi Choral Spectacular Conducted By The Great Toscanini.......2005-11-07

This recording of Verdi choral masterpieces is conducted by Arturo Toscanini in his old age when he was a popular American figure in the NBC radio broadcasts. He still packs a punch and the quality of this recording is terrific. On here are Sacred Pieces for chorus & orchestra and the Te Deum, a fitting prelude to the more large-scale and famous Requiem. The singers are in glorious form and they were popular 50's opera stars - tenor Giuseppe Di Stefano, mezzo soprano Fedora Barbieri, baritone Cesare Siepi and soprano Herva Nelli. They make the music sound exceptionally bombastic and lyrical. The anthem-like Va Pensiero from Verdi's opera Nabucco is on here and is sung with sensational musicality. The tenor aria "Quando de sere al placido" is interpreted by Jan Peerce, whose ringing voice is shimmering with bravura but he pulls out all the stops for the Hymn of the Nations, a pastiche of nationalistic songs from the Italian national anthem to "The Star Spangled Banner". For fans of Verdi, this is a must have, especially because Hymn of the Nations is such a rarity.

hair-rising.......2002-02-03

I listened to some of this Verdi requiem and the paint started to peel off of the walls. This is absolutely stunning, to say the least, and no one has ever made it this way the was toscanini has. The man knew Verdi, and was probably the most respected Verdi conductor of his time, making this a classic of the gramophone, and deservedly so. It is fortunate this has been preserved. Cesare siepi is excellent as the bass soloist. fedora barbieri is always nice, and so is di stefano, though he it not the greatest in "ingemisco." the sound here is a bit constricted, preventing true pianissimo, which toscanini was definitely capable of producing. His thrilling fortissimos nearly break the equipment they are so strong. incredible stuff.

Absolutely the best "Requiem" ever.......2000-07-13

Never a favorite of mine on LP - the sound was too thin, harsh and compressed - this performance of Verdi's "Requiem," given to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the composer's death, speaks volumes for the Toscanini "legend." It is a performance that satisfies both the intellect and the emotions, despite the fact that the "Ingemisco" and the "Offertorio" are conducted faster than I have ever heard them...nothing sounds rushed, the singers are excellent, and the performance has perfect balance and cohesion.

However, I prefer the new 20-bit digital remastering to even this CD issue. To find my review there, enter "Arturo Toscanini" under Classical Music, scroll down the page, and click on "Conducts Verdi/Cherubini - Cho". This new reissue is coupled with Verdi's "Te Deum" and the Cherubini "Requiem," two great works which the maestro also conducts beautifully. This one isn't just an OK performance, it's a must for any collection.

Excellent! Terrific rendition of terrific music.......1998-09-11

I will admit to getting the CD just for the Requiem, of which it is one of the better recordings available, the Lacrymosa being especially good, if not perfect. Also, "Va, pensario" is one of the classic choruses of opera, and is well executed on this CD. With those, and the Te Deum, this CD is a goldmine for Verdi fans.

Perhaps the classic performance of the "Requiem"........1998-09-10

While Herva Nelli gives a more than credible performance, and Siepi demonstrates his potential greatness, this is, clearly, Toscanini's show. The NBC Orchestra is functioning on all cylinders, as is the Maestro. One can clearly hear Toscanini's exhortation(s): "Louder! Louder!" When the listener is aware of the fact that the Conductor was a close aquaintance of Verdi and, therefore, more than a mere casual interpreter of his work, the performance's meaning is enhanced.

Track Listings:

Track Listings

track listings

Track Listings

Longer Fuse [Import]

Phyllis Schlomovitz Medieval to Modern Music for the Harp at Christmas

Phantom Blues

It's Magic

Home of the Hits / The Best of Jonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers [Box set] [Import]

Passion & Compassion

One Night in Paris [Enhanced] [Import] [Live]

Liszt: Responsories and Antiphons

Pocket Rock [Import]

Mozart: Eine Kleine Nachtmusik; Posthorn Serenade

New Year's All Star Jam [Live]

Mexico Clasico/Herrera De La Fuente

Otra Realidad [Enhanced] [Import]

Best of AFRS Jubilee, Vol. 3

The New Edge