Vous voulez voir cette page en français ? Cliquez ici.


or
Sign in to turn on 1-Click ordering.
More Buying Choices
Have one to sell? Sell yours here

Debussy: La Mer; Respighi: Fountains of Rome; Pines of Rome

Fritz Reiner (Artist) | Format: Audio CD
5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
Price: CDN$ 9.49 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over CDN$ 25. Details
o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o
Usually ships within 1 to 2 months.
Ships from and sold by Amazon.ca. Gift-wrap available.

Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought

Product Details
1. La Mer: From Dawn Till Noon On The Sea
2. La Mer: Play Of The Waves
3. La Mer: Dialogue Of The Wind And The Sea
4. Fountains Of Rome: The Fountain Of Valle Giulia At Dawn
5. Fountains Of Rome: The Triton Fountain At Morning
6. Fountains Of Rome: The Fountain Of Trevi At Midday
7. Fountains Of Rome: The Villa Medici Fountain At Sunset
8. Pines Of Rome: The Pines Of The Villa Borghese
9. Pines Of Rome: Pines Near A Catacomb
10. Pines Of Rome: The Pines Of The Janiculum
11. Pines Of Rome: The Pines Of The Appian Way

Product Description

Amazon.ca

Whichever other Respighi tone poem recordings you ultimately purchase, you MUST own this one. Since the early ‘60s it has been the standard by which all others have been judged, and in terms of both sound and performance, it has never really been surpassed. The final march of Pines is simply incredible: thundering bass drum, crashing cymbals and gongs, bellowing brass--nobody since has brought the whole thing off with the same combination of excitement and discipline. The performance of La Mer has similar virtues. Fritz Reiner was a podium tyrant, but a tremendous musician all the same. This may be his finest recording. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews

5 star
12
4 star
0
3 star
0
2 star
0
1 star
0
5.0 out of 5 stars
12 reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Most helpful customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Yet to go wrong Feb 5 2007
By Blance of Streetcar land
Format:Audio CD
I've yet to go wrong with anything by the Chicago Orchestra, regardless of whether it's Reiner or Solti directing, or anyone else for that matter. This particular CD is no exception. While I bought this for it's excellent rendition of "Fountains of Rome," and "Pines," I thought the Debussy "La Mer" was the best since the Boulez that I so covet. This is a smooth recording, with little or no glitches and plenty of heart. Rewarding in every way, you'll want to add this to your collection pronto.
Was this review helpful to you?
Yes
No
5.0 out of 5 stars Only this Respighi and nothing else. April 5 2004
By ken yong
Format:Audio CD
Fritz Reiner surprises me here, despite his infamous reputation of being a tyranical, manipulative conductor whom his Chicago musicians had a hard time working with. That is because his handling of Respighi's Pines and Fountains of Rome are one of the finest recordings I've ever heard. There are the usual trademarks of precise and exciting playing, as demonstrated by the piece, pines by Villa Borghese. An average listener might felt ambushed by another typical Disney soundtract, except this sounds most exciting. The Pines at Janiculum and the Villa Medici Fountain at Sunset is Fritz Reiner at his most delicate and finest moment. Surprising, again since such warmth is unheard of a conductor of Reiner's reputation. I don't think I would want to own any other recordings of these magnificent works.
Was this review helpful to you?
Yes
No
5.0 out of 5 stars Very Justified Label of "Benchmark" Feb 22 2004
By L. Ku
Format:Audio CD
Well, to begin, I'll say that I find the three musical compositions featured here to be splendid works. Respighi's journal of the sights of Rome as well as Debussy's accounts of his trips on the Mediterranean are irresistable tone poems that all classical music fans appreciate

And of course, the Chicago Symphony, whom you can just argue is the greatest American orchestra ever, puts in another terrific performance, as you would definately expect them to. The legendary Fritz Reiner was conductor of the CSO from 1951 to 1962, a golden period in the orchestra's history. Heiner was certainly a demanding leader, and it showed whenever recording sessions took place. A perfectionalist, he wanted control over all aspects and made sure himself that he received satisfactory results.

In the program booklet that comes with this CD, an excellent account is included of downtown Chicago's Orchestra Hall on October 24, 1959, when Reiner led his ensemble to a tremendous performance of Respighi's Pines and Fountains of Rome. The article is a very interesting read on the details of the recording session.

Now, as for the CD itself, the aged recording would of course raise the attention of the listening. While technology has definately surpassed what had been available back then, the sound is however very acceptable. This album indeed still remains one for the ages.

Was this review helpful to you?
Yes
No
Want to see more reviews on this item?
Most recent customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars I want to be buried with this CD!
An NPR program once listed the best recordings of Respighi's works. The announcer made it a point to slam Respighi's compositions in every way possible (he even said that he found... Read more
Published on July 20 2003 by Brian
5.0 out of 5 stars benchmark respighi, fabulous la mer
Someone told me to get the fritz reiner chicago symphony recordings of pines and fountains, and io have not regretted it one bit...the playing is about as thrillingly precise. Read more
Published on Mar 3 2003
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic-- INCLUDING the Debussy!
I listened to this album a few days ago for the first time, and I must say, I had nary a critical word to offer on any of his interpretations - in fact, as a rather devoted Debussy... Read more
Published on Mar 1 2003 by "octavianus"
5.0 out of 5 stars Very Good, but certainly not the best
The Respighi tone poems are done very well, but there are much better out there. For one thing, I don't know why people rave about the sound the 'Living Stereo' puts out. Read more
Published on Feb 14 2003 by Robert Timmers
5.0 out of 5 stars The Respighis are classics, the Debussy stinks
These performances of the Respighi tone poems are genuine immortals. No one else that I have heard combines power and poetry in the way Reiner does. Read more
Published on April 27 2002 by R. J. Claster
5.0 out of 5 stars An absolute must-have recording
This recording by Fritz Reiner and the Chicago Symphony is an absolute stunner, both musically and sonically. Read more
Published on Oct 27 2000 by Larry Olson
5.0 out of 5 stars Indispensable
Every once in a while in history, extraordinary magic is made in the recording studio by a particular orchestra and conductor. This recording is a prime example. Read more
Published on Sep 5 2000 by J. Buxton
5.0 out of 5 stars Buy this CD!
The wonderful Chicago Symphony played this like their lives depended on it, which probably wasn't far from the truth with Fritz Reiner on the podium. Read more
Published on Dec 3 1999 by Dave
5.0 out of 5 stars Classic Respighi
This venerable 1959/60 recording is still the definitive and most exciting performance of the two Respighi works, and the Debussy rivals them. Read more
Published on Mar 24 1999
Search Customer Reviews
Only search this product's reviews

    Your Shopping Cart is empty.

    Give it purpose—fill it with books, DVDs, clothes, electronics, and more.

    If you already have an account, sign in.

    View Cart (0 items)

      Listmania!

      Create a Listmania! list

      Look for similar items by category

      Feedback

      Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?

      Amazon.ca Privacy Statement Amazon.ca Shipping Information Amazon.ca Returns & Exchanges