Taras Bulba

[neiltingley]

This work has never done much for me but have just listened to Ancerl and Czech PO - an incandescent performance that has made me listen to it with entirely new ears . Those sadly all too soon deleted EMI Great Conductors of the 20th century 2CD sets were generally marvellous and like this many have introduced me to outstanding if imperfect performances - live Mahler from Barbirolli and Mitropoulos and Tchaikovsky from Kletzki spring to mind.

Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra cond. Wit on Naxos is highly recommended too. Superbly recorded.

[Barbirollians]

Listened to the Philharmonia/Rattle today - excellent performance if not quite up there with Ancerl. The real stunner on this disc however is their account of the Sinfonietta - cannot recall hearing it played better than this.