And who did he choose as his "winner"?
-
"Let me have my own way in exactly everything, and a sunnier and more pleasant creature does not exist." Thomas Carlyle -
Muti and friends.Originally posted by Karafan View Post
"...the isle is full of noises,
Sounds and sweet airs, that give delight and hurt not.
Sometimes a thousand twangling instruments
Will hum about mine ears, and sometime voices..."
Comment
-
Thanks Cali. Will listen on catch-up later... the short measure sounds a bit of a sickener though."Let me have my own way in exactly everything, and a sunnier and more pleasant creature does not exist." Thomas CarlyleComment
-
Comes as a slight shock to see that among Muti's friends on the chosen recording are the members of Haberdashers' Aske's School choir...Originally posted by Karafan View Post"...the isle is full of noises,
Sounds and sweet airs, that give delight and hurt not.
Sometimes a thousand twangling instruments
Will hum about mine ears, and sometime voices..."
Comment
-
I'm a bit confused by all these different formats - I dont have any video or television technologies, just a straightforward audio system - but I think Muti was the winner if you want a version with visuals as well as music (or maybe an SACD, whatever that is). If you just want a simple audio CD, I'm pretty sure he recommended Votto, with Callas: usual caveats about dated (1956) mono sound and Callas's high notes, but also usual enthusiasm for her interpretation. Which suits me, because that's the one I've got. The Penguin 2010 Guide likes it too. He didnt like Leontyne Price and Leinsdorf, which is the other version on my shelves: I cant remember why, it sounds fine to me.Comment
-
Your alma mater, Cali?Originally posted by Caliban View Post
Seriously his choice of Muti was tempered by slight reservations over Martina Arroyo. The Amelia who came out best (from the examples he had time for) was Margaret Price, with Solti.Comment
-
Without going to the trouble of listening again, Muti was definitely his overall winner, on CD (my only version, 'phew). Votto/Callas a runner up, di Stefano lacked the nuance of a Domingo, Callas's voice already spreading at the top, etc. etc.....Gobbi the best Renato, Grist the best Oskar...as an ensemble piece with 5 distinctive principals difficult to cast, etc. etc. He did say I think that none of the DVD versions cut it like his front runners, not having seen any of them I couldn't possibly comment.Comment
Comment