At The New York Philharmonic

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Selections from the 10-CD set. Includes: 1. Dukas-The Sorcererer's Apprentice 2. Bethoven-Missa solemnis 3. Shostakovich-Piano Concerto No.2 4. Debussy-Le Martyre de Saint Sebastian 5. Stravinsky-Pulcinella Suite 6. Honegger 7. Tan Dun 8. Heinze 9. Beethoven 10. Bach

Tracks:

Pictures At An Exhibition: Promenade
Pictures At An Exhibition: Gnomus
Pictures At An Exhibition: Promenade
Pictures At An Exhibition: The Old Castle
Pictures At An Exhibition: Promenade
Pictures At An Exhibition: Tuileries
Pictures At An Exhibition: Bydlo
Pictures At An Exhibition: Promenade
Pictures At An Exhibition: Ballet Of The Unhatched Chicks
Pictures At An Exhibition: Samuel Goldenberg And The Schmuyle
Pictures At An Exhibition: The Market Place At Limoges
Pictures At An Exhibition: Catacombs: Roman Sepulchre
Pictures At An Exhibition: Cum mortuis in linqua mortua
Pictures At An Exhibition: The Little Hut On Chickens' Legs
Pictures At An Exhibition: The Great Gate Of Kiev
Night On Bald Mountain

Customer Reviews:

Satisfying version of 'Pictures..'; liked album on the whole.......2007-05-31

I had attended a SF Symphony performance which included "Pictures At An Exhibition" as orchestrated by Ravel. I was pleasantly suprised by how much I liked that piece taken as a whole. I have always thought highly of Bernstein's interpretation, and believed I would hear a nicely played and interpreted version of 'Pictures..' Indeed, the piece is executed as I thought it would. I like Bernstein's interpretation of 'Pictures At An Exhibition', and the album, on the whole, is worth the suggested price.

Powerful music!.......2007-01-27

I loved this CD. It is the same cover and everything as the record we had while I was growing up. In HS we actually marched to this! Wonderful memories and excellent recording.

Timeless.......2003-12-31

There are very few musical memories I have before the age of ten but "Pictures At An Exhibition" is one of them.
I was in bed putting off going to school when I saw this awsome ad for The United States Navy.
While showing scenes of eighteenth century battleships, they played this music. Nearly thirty years later, I still cant get it out of my head!

Last movement of Pictures conducted too slow.......2002-05-21

Hello,
I feel that Bernstein conducted the last movement of Pictures too slowly. It has a majesty and grace all it's own but in Bernstein's hands it slows to a jaunted crawl and looses some of the awe effect. Also the percussion is ever so slightly too loud in the end. I don't thing the tubular bells or gong were meant to be heard as much felt. Kind of a let down, but there's another version I'm used to hearing that set me up for this. Not sure what version that is, but I'll let ya know if I find out. The rest of "Pictures" is decent, and "Night" is great.
Phillip

Outstanding performance.......2001-05-03

Bernstein really captures the spirit of the music, from the light feel of the Unhatched chicks and the Market Place at Limoges, to the pure brawn of Bydlo, to the mysteriousness of the catacombs and the cum mortuis in liqua mortua, finishing it triumphantly with the great gate of Kiev. I've really enjoyed this production, and listen to it frequently.

Average customer rating:

A fine sampler
OUTSTANDING
Fun CD

Rimsky-Korsakov: Greatest Hits

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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$6.99 and Under | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music

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Saint-Saëns: Greatest Hits
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ASIN: B000002C5Z
Release Date: 1995-11-14

Tracks:

Tsar Saltan: Flight of the Bumblebee
Capriccio espagnol, Op. 34: Alborada. Vivo e strepitoso
Capriccio espagnol, Op. 34: Variazioni. Andante con moto
Capriccio espagnol, Op. 34: Alborada. Vivo e strepitoso
Capriccio espagnol, Op. 34: Scena e canto gitano
Capriccio espagnol, Op. 34: Fandango asturiano
Sadko: Song of India
The Snow Maiden: Dance of the Tumblers
Le Coq d'or Suite: IV. Introduction and Bridal Procession
Mlada Suite: Procession of the Nobles
Tsar Saltan Suite, Op. 57: Farewell of the Tsar
Russian Easter Overture
Sheherazade Symphonic Suite: The Young Prince And The Young Princess
Sheherazade Symphonic Suite: IV. Festival at Bagdad - The Sea - Shipwreck

Customer Reviews:

A fine sampler.......2003-04-24

I purchased this CD to sample some of the pieces of Rimsky-Korsakov that I did not already own. The CD is a compilation of recognized conductors. The performances are competent, if not really inspired. Rimsky-Korsakov offers very listenable, approachable music and very rich orchestration. But this is a sampler, where most pieces are incomplete. If you are ready to jump in with both feet, purchase Scheherazade & Russian Easter Overture by Jose Serebrier, Scherazade & Cappricio Espanol by Mackerras/LSO, and Neeme Jarvi on Chandos ($$) for the rest.

I was first put off by the sonics of this CD, particularly the dynamic range, but this varies with each of the many recorded pieces.

In its favor, this CD is inexpensive, but don't expect to receive more than what you pay.

OUTSTANDING.......2002-09-16

This is a good selection of outstanding works of one of the best Russian composers. I enjoyed it very much.

Fun CD.......2002-01-29

I really appreciated the variety on this CD, from the light, bouncy bumblebee to the more bombastic pieces. I think this makes a really good intro to Korsakov's works.

Average customer rating:

Schubert: Greatest Hits

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

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Mendelssohn: Greatest Hits
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ASIN: B000002A29
Release Date: 1994-08-09

Tracks:

Symphony No. 8 In B Minor 'Unfinished': Allegro moderato
Marche Militaire, Op. 51, No.1
Ave Maria
Serenade
Erlkonig
Rosamunde Overture
Impromptu In E-Flat Major, Op. 90, No. 2
Death And The Maiden String Quartet In D Minor: IV Presto
Moment Musical In F Minor Op. 94, No3
Trout Quintet For Piano & Strings In A Major: III Scherzo Presto
Symphony No. 9 In C Major 'The Great': I Andante - Allegro ma non troppo

Bernstein Century - Grieg: Peer Gynt Suites, Norwegian Dance, March of Dwarfs/ Sibelius: Valse Triste, Swan of Tuonela, Finlandia

Average customer rating:

The Grieg is ordinary, but the Sibelius items are unforgettable
Solid
Turn it up!
Rather Bland for my taste.............
Bernstein adds flavor, not power, proves even better

Bernstein Century - Grieg: Peer Gynt Suites, Norwegian Dance, March of Dwarfs/ Sibelius: Valse Triste, Swan of Tuonela, Finlandia

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

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Bizet: Carmen and L' Arlesienne Suites
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Vivaldi: The Four Seasons
Bernstein Century: Bernstein on Jazz - What is Jazz?

ASIN: B00000C29D
Release Date: 1998-09-29

Tracks:

Peer Gynt Suite No. 1, Op. 46: I. Morning Mood - Allegretto Pastorale
Peer Gynt Suite No. 1, Op. 46: II. e's Death- Andante doloroso
Peer Gynt Suite No. 1, Op. 46: III. Anitra's Dance- Tempo di Mazurka
Peer Gynt Suite No. 1, Op. 46: IV. In The Hall Of The Mountain King - Alla marcia e molto marcato
Peer Gynt Suite No. 2, Op. 55: I. The Abduction Of The Bride. Ingrid's Lament - Allegro furioso- Andante doloroso
Peer Gynt Suite No. 2, Op. 55: II. Arabian Dance- Allegretto vivace
Peer Gynt Suite No. 2, Op. 55: III. Peer Gynt's Return Home- Allegro agitato
Peer Gynt Suite No. 2, Op. 55: IV. Solvejg's Song- Andante - Allegretto tranquillamente
Norwegian Dance, Op. 35, No. 2: Allegretto tranquillo e grazioso
Lyric Suite, Op. 54, No. 4: March Of The Trolls
Valse Triste, Op. 44: Lento
The Swan of Tuonela, Op. 22, No. 3: Andante molto sostenuto
Finlandia, Op. 26 (Tone Poem): Andante sostenuto - Allegro moderato - Allegro

Amazon.com

By the time Leonard Bernstein and the New York Philharmonic made the recordings featured here, they had been together for more than a decade. There is a lustiness and power to the playing throughout the orchestra. From the lilt and swagger of Grieg's Peer Gynt Suite No. 1 to the sensuous humor of Grieg's Norwegian Dance--made memorable for oboist Ralph Gomberg's solo playing--Bernstein brought out the best from this strong and virtuosic orchestra. Here, Sibelius's Valse Triste is all grace and elegance. The Swan of Tuonela is superb for it's dreamlike pacing and the marvelous English horn playing. Finlandia makes a perfect finale. All this music is evocative and it remains in motion every moment, however subtly. --Gwendolyn Freed

Customer Reviews:

The Grieg is ordinary, but the Sibelius items are unforgettable.......2007-02-20

Bernstein was a great and devoted Sibelian, on a par with Karajan and Beecham among international maestros. I don't think the reviewers below have much of an idea how exquisite this Swan of Tuonela is, played with total freedom and naturalness; the English horn soloist plays with moving expressivity. Even better is Finlandia, so often a throw away but here performed as if the entire nation of Finland were listening. It's a huge, bravura performance that brings out the brash side of the NY Phil. Bernstein's Valse triste, however, lacks mystery and rpoceeds a bit flat-footedly.

You can find the Finlandia and Swan in other pairings, which might be just as well since Bernstein's Peer Gynt Suite #1 is just a run-through, despite a rousing In the Hall of the Mountain King. It's not in as good sound as the Sibelius items, either.

Solid.......2007-01-17

Why did they have to add Sibelius compositions to this CD? How about more
Grieg??? I like the 20 bit sound on these Bernstein Century CDs. Recommended.

Turn it up!.......2006-02-16

This is a great CD but I can't hear it unless I turn it way WAY up on my car CD or portable CD player. I'm not sure why. I wanted to hear Morning Mood on my morning commute but can't seem to get it loud enough.

Rather Bland for my taste....................2005-01-22

If you enjoy these works of Grieg and Sibelius you might find it helpful to know that the Karajan recording is much better than this one.

Bernstein adds flavor, not power, proves even better.......2001-05-20

We've all heard Grieg's classic Morning or In the Hall of the Mountain King time and again. Bernstein, however, does an incredible job at making the music come alive. Although it does like power at times, I think Bernstein added much more emotion, clearly evident in Ase's Death and Sibelius' Finlandia. And although the recording was made in th 40s, the older recording technique adds a unique flavor, especially to the violins, which seem to scream in Peer Gynt. Although these pieces are by no means masterpieces of human expression, Bernstein has done an incredible job, and I find myself listening to these short little tunes over and over.

Average customer rating:

Exciting Splashes of Brilliance and Extended Sensuousness from Prior Recordings
Simply Anne-Sophie Review
Nothing New

Simply Anne-Sophie

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Mozart: The Violin Sonatas
Piano Trios
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Vivaldi: The Four Seasons/Tartini: The Devil's Trill

ASIN: B000HXDEVW
Release Date: 2006-10-10

Tracks:

Vivaldi: Allegro (I) from Violin Concerto No. 1 in E major, RV269 "Spring" (Four Seasons), Trondheim Soloists
Mozart: Rondo (III) from Concerto for Violin & Orchestra No. 3 in G major, K. 216, LPO
Mozart: Adagio from Concerto for Violin & Orchestra No. 5 in A major, K. 219 Turkish",LPO
Beethoven: Romance for Violin in F major, op. 50 NYP/Masur
Massenet: Meditation from Thais, VPO/Levine
Kreisler: Liebesleid, Orkis
Previn: Song. Simply Previn
Brahms: Hungarian Dance No. 6 in D flat major, Orkis
Gershwin: Summertime from Porgy & Bess, Previn
Sarasate: Introduction. Allegro moderato: Carmen Fantasy, Op.25
Sarasate: Moderato: Carmen Fantasy, Op.25
Sarasate: Lento assai: Carmen Fantasy, Op.25
Sarasate: Allegro moderato: Carmen Fantasy, Op.25
Sarasate: Moderato: Carmen Fantasy, Op.25

Amazon.com

Although this CD's title, Simply Anne-Sophie, implies trifles, and the selection here, taken from the violinist's previous recordings, is not challenging, there's nothing simple about Mutter's virtuosity or commitment to the music. The Meditation from Thais is ravishing, "Summertime" sings as it should, the Four Seasons excerpt is fresh and dashing, the Rondeau from Mozart's Third Concerto is filled with energy, and the Adagio from the Fifth is warm and meltingly played. The CD ends with Sarasate's Carmen Fantasy, which makes up in jaw-dropping skill what it lacks in musical substance. Accompanied by orchestras led by Kurt Masur and James Levine and with pianists André Previn and Lambert Orkis, this collection is a great introduction to Mutter's gifts and a grand entertainment. --Robert Levine

Album Description

ANNE-SOPHIE MUTTER is one of the best-known classical musicians in the US, and her concert appearances here are sold-out events. Her contributions to the violin repertoire, her extraordinary collaborations with the most accomplished and elite of musical partners, and her unstinting devotion to excellence point to a legacy of unequalled brilliance.

2006 is the 30th anniversary of the beginning of Ms. Mutter's public career, which has intersected with and influenced the lives of so many important musicians of the era and inspired the minds and hearts of millions of listeners around the globe. Simply Anne-Sophie offers a great musical overview of her brilliant career.

Customer Reviews:

Exciting Splashes of Brilliance and Extended Sensuousness from Prior Recordings.......2007-03-09

This is my favorite CD by Anne-Sophie Mutter. I hope you'll have the pleasure of listening to it.

Simply Anne-Sophie would be more aptly named, Gorgeous Excerpts of Anne-Sophie's Best Recordings. Five segments are five minutes or less. The longest section clocks in at 12 and a half minutes.

I thought the selections were well chosen to present a wide range of her abilities and musical subjects. How many recordings do you own that contain on a single CD part of The Four Seasons, two Mozart violin concertos, Beethoven's romance number two for violin and piano, Meditation from Thais, Brahms' Hungarian Dance number six, George Gershwin's Summertime, and Pablo de Sarasate's Fantaisie de concert sur des motifs de Carmen?

The order of the selections is interesting. Ms. Mutter begins as close to classical roots as her style ever does, then slows down into expressive pieces, and ends with rousing energy and joie de vivre.

As a result, I often play this CD as a mood piece to inspire me during a difficult task. By the end, I'm filled with enthusiasm, energy, and a sense of unlimited confidence. Those are all good feelings to have as a writer sits down to face a blank computer screen.

The other advantage of this work is that you can sample her styles to see if you might be interested in buying a CD that provides more in that style. From my perspective, I thought that only the excerpt from The Four Seasons is misleading about the joys that the full CDs offer. For me, the first allegro from Spring is by far the best part of her Four Seasons CD; the rest is not nearly so enjoyable.

Simply Anne-Sophie Review.......2007-01-06

Typical excellent work by a uniquely gifted artist. Not for the person who wants whole concertos, but a nice selection of favorites.

Nothing New.......2006-12-02

Anne Sophie is among my favorite violinists and she is nothing but excellent throughout this whole cd. But the recordings are pulled from previous releases. The Carmen sequence suffers badly from the recording and contains the identical flaws that the original release did on her previous Carmen Fantasy cd. As an introduction to ASM I recommend it. Her playing is as great as ever. But you will not find anything new here and the recordings are less than stellar.

Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition; Night on Bald Mountain

Average customer rating:

An enchanting, surprisingly personal 'Pictures'--one of the great ones

Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition; Night on Bald Mountain

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

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The Measure of a Man: A Spiritual Autobiography (Oprah's Book Club)

ASIN: B0002J58QA
Release Date: 2004-07-27

Customer Reviews:

An enchanting, surprisingly personal 'Pictures'--one of the great ones.......2006-06-16

Two things conspired to keep me from discovering this one-of-a-kind 'Pictures at an Exhibition' sooner. First, there are enough great recordings to go around from Reiner, Karajan, Stokowksi--name your own. Second, I assumed that Bernstien would conduct this thrice-familiar piece simply as a commercial duty. I was wrong: this is the most personal performance among the great ones. Bernstein has ideas and feelings in every section, and with the NY Phil. at its virtuosic best, the whole thing is an enchanting discovery.

Bernstein's secret is that he goes to the heart of the music rather than just conducting Ravel's brilliant orchestration. As a result, we feel we are looking at separate paintings on the wall, just as Mussorgsky intended, each with its own flavor, more often than not tinged with melancholy (after all, Mussorgsky's artist friend had died). Compared to this account, all the others I own seem a bit shallow and glittery--this one is pure soul.

The sound is impeccable in the current remastering, and this time around we get as fillers a thrilling Night on Bald Mountain that gives Stokowski's a run for its money, plus a Respighi Pines of Rome crackling with electricity (but in rather shrill sound).

Famous as Bernstein is, I feel I'm recommending an underdog here, because the British critics have totally overlooked these readings. Most listeners automatically reach for Reiner's famous accounts of all three works. I hope there's room for Bernstein, because his performances have more musical excitment to offer.

Average customer rating:

Only a sampler

Dvorak: Greatest Hits

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Dances | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Scherzo | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

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Classical Instrumental Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

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Rimsky-Korsakov: Greatest Hits
Saint-Saëns: Greatest Hits
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ASIN: B000002C5V
Release Date: 1995-11-14

Tracks:

Carnival Overture
Humoresque, Op. 101, No. 7
Slavonic Dance in C Major
Gypsy Melodies Op. 55 No. 4: Songs My Mother Taught Me
Symphony No. 9 in E Minor 'From the New World': II. Largo (excerpt)
Sherzo capriccioso, Op. 66 - First Release
Slavonic Dance in G Minor, Op. 46, No. 8
Cello Concerto In B Minor Op. 104: III. Finale. Allegro moderato
Slavonic Dance in E Minor, Op. 72, No. 2
Symphony No. 8 in G Major, Op.88: IV. Allegro ma non troppo

Customer Reviews:

Only a sampler.......2002-06-08

If you are a novice to Dvorak then this package may be worth considering.The 3 Slavonic dances are very good.The last movement from the Cello concerto is a keeper,and the Carnival Overture and the infectious Scherzo cappriccioso have plenty of fireworks and charm.The real problem with the disc is the same as all greatest hits classical albums:too much minutae for the sake of range of style and mood in place of comprehensiveness that a whole symphony or concerto would convey.For the Dvorak fan there isn't anything here that's essential.

Appalachian Spring (Multichannel/Stereo)

Average customer rating:

Bernstein, Four Copland Ballets: SACD multichannel / stereo

Appalachian Spring (Multichannel/Stereo)

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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Getz Gilberto

ASIN: B00009KU75
Release Date: 2003-05-27

Customer Reviews:

Bernstein, Four Copland Ballets: SACD multichannel / stereo.......2003-09-06

Here we have the reissued classic Bernstein/New York Philharmonic recordings of four primary Copland ballets: Appalachian Spring, El Salon Mexico, Rodeo (dances sequence), and Billy the Kid. Even in comparison with the composer's own recorded performances, these readings stand out, a bit above. The sheer wide-open-prairie sound that SACD multichannel now allows ... now how did those old CBS stereo master tapes become multi? who knows?... in any case the surround sound now achieves new vividness, and a kind of "you are there" accuracy of tonal presence, whether the orchestra is temporarily engaging in play among one or more reduced, chamber-sized groups, or gathered up in typical Copland massed effects. All of these ballets are given completely superlative readings by Bernstein and company, here. But this new SACD mastering/pressing allows the greatness to come through more completely than ever before. As if Appalachian Spring, El Salon Mexico, and Rodeo were not enough: the recording of Billy the Kid tops it all. Even though this is the earliest recording, made in 1959, it was done in Boston's Symphony Hall. Although the differences in acoustic are subtle, if you listen closely among the changing tracks, you will hear the extra clarity and musical power of the Boston hall, long and deservedly renowned for its own special greatness of sound. In sum, you can buy this SACD for the sheer authenticity of the performances; or you can use it to test drive your multichannel system. In the latter case, you will be evaluating more than glitzy or floor-shaking sound effects, in favor of hearing just how much sheer music your rig can produce. The best of both worlds ... I am listening on five full-range speakers ... leaves a listener breathless with amazement. Billy the Kid is almost fifty years old, and sounds the best of the lot! Who can bear the agony of waiting to hear what contemporary BMG might be able to do with those equally famous Reiner/Chicago Symphony master tapes, also recorded in the pace-setting days of early stereo recording? Get this SACD disc, now. Forget movies for a while. Use your ears for fun, while you still have them. Highly recommended, for performance. Highly recommended for sound, especially in multichannel playback.

Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition No1-10; Night on Bald Mountain

Average customer rating:

Cross-Compare before you buy!
Best "Pictures at an Exhibition" recording of our time
Powerful!
Powerful!
Special atmosphere

Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition No1-10; Night on Bald Mountain

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

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Grieg: Peer Gynt Suites/ Holberg Suite

ASIN: B000001GDA
Release Date: 1991-04-05

Tracks:

Pictures At An Exhibition: Promenade
Pictures At An Exhibition: I. Gnomus
Pictures At An Exhibition: Promenade
Pictures At An Exhibition: II. Il vecchio castello
Pictures At An Exhibition: Promenade
Pictures At An Exhibition: III. Tuileries
Pictures At An Exhibition: IV. Bydlo
Pictures At An Exhibition: Promenade
Pictures At An Exhibition: V. Ballet des poussins dans leurs coques
Pictures At An Exhibition: VI. Samuel Goldenberg und Schmuyle
Pictures At An Exhibition: VII. Limoges - Le March
Pictures At An Exhibition: VIII. Catacombae: Sepulchrum Romanum
Pictures At An Exhibition: Cum mortuis in lingua mortua
Pictures At An Exhibition: IX. La Cabane sur des pattes de poule
Pictures At An Exhibition: X. La Grande Porte de Kiev
Night on Bald Mountain
Valses nobles et sentimentales: I. Mod
Valses nobles et sentimentales: II. Assez lent
Valses nobles et sentimentales: III. Mod
Valses nobles et sentimentales: IV. Assez anim
Valses nobles et sentimentales: V. Presque lent
Valses nobles et sentimentales: VI. Assez vif
Valses nobles et sentimentales: VII. Moins vif
Valses nobles et sentimentales: VIII. Epilogue: Lent

Customer Reviews:

Cross-Compare before you buy!.......2005-10-13

Although I already had plenty of versions of the Mussorgsky works in my CD collection, I was swayed by the lavish praise heaped on this Sinopoli recording by Amazon reviewers. Buying it was certainly one way to determine if the praise was deserved. Since I decided it wasn't, I'm out the money but gained some experience in trusting my fellow reviewers here on Amazon. Sinopoli has done credible work elsewhere (Gurrelieder, Schubert's 8th, etc.), but this version of Pictures on the Bald Mountain (or is it Night at the Exhibition?) wasn't remarkable. Yes, there was the occasional "hmmm, interesting" moment, but they were few and far between. Of the movements, Limoges seemed to be well-thought-out from beginning to end: if all the movements had this quality of interpretation, Sinopoli would have earned 5 stars, not 3. One reviewer praised the muted trumpet solo for being rich rather than thin, but wasn't a thin sound from Schmuyle what Ravel intended in his transcription (although I'm not necessarily endorsing Karajan's version)?

There are far worse versions than this (not considering Tomita's for the moment), but there are certainly more definitive versions as well. Look to Giulini and Abbado as more reliable guides here, at least on Pictures. (Abbado's original version of Night on Bald Mountain is worth acquiring, but it's not a fair comparison here because it's a completely different work than what Rimsky put through his beatgrinder.)

Best "Pictures at an Exhibition" recording of our time.......2002-10-16

This splendid Deutsche Grammophon recording of Mussorgsky's "Pictures at an Exhibition" deserves its critical praise as among the finest versions ever recorded. Sinopoli leads the New York Philharmonic in a majestic performance, noted for his appropriate use of broad tempi, slowly building from one satisfactory climax to another. The New York Philharmonic's brass and string sections are exemplary, playing with much warmth and brilliance. Indeed, the New York Philharmonic's brass section sounds as vibrant as the Chicago Symphony's or the Berlin Philharmonic's. "Pictures at an Exhibition" is coupled with two splendid performances of Mussorgsky's "Night on Bare Mountain" and Ravel's "La Valse". Anyone who doubts whether the New York Philharmonic can play as well as its peers in Chicago and Berlin should listen to this fine recording, which is unquestionably among the orchestra's best in the past two decades.

Powerful!.......2001-08-26

I just got this cd today, and it's the best one I have heard. The opening Promenade starts with the full, robust New York Philharmonic brass then over to the strings and so forth. Bydlo is very nice and musical and gives you the impression that a poor peasant is singing sadly on his Oxcart. Baba Yaga is very intense, Catacombae does make you feel that you are in a cave with sculls and bones laying about. Night on Bald Mountain is also included on this disc and reminds me of Halloween indeed! Very nice! Highly Recommended!

Powerful!.......2001-08-26

Special atmosphere.......2001-02-24

Ok, I haven't heard all the other versions. Yet, this one is special indeed. The horns are amazing. One note, or one halted note of those horns, and I was completely blown away and transformed into an entirely different landscape. Seldomly has any recording given me such a special atmosphere and vibration as this one. Sinopoli gets the tempi exactly right, he does not haste though the piece, but builds instead a picture of majesty and power without giving even the slightest impression of being contrived at all. One might argue about the tuba, and I admit, I had to get used of it, but the more I listended the better I found it fitting into the overall balance of the piece.