2 of 5 recommend this SA-CD
Would you recommend it?
 

Prices subject to change (details)
 
Label:
   MDG - http://www.mdg.de/
Serial:
   909 1664-6
Title:
   Italian Album - Timothy Richards
Description:
   Verdi, Puccini

Timothy Richards (tenor)
Minsk Orchestra
Wilhelm Keitel (conductor)
Details:
  
Genre:
   Classical - Vocal
Content:
   Stereo/Multichannel
Media:
   Hybrid
Recording type:
  
Recording info:
  
start discussion | delete from library | delete recommendation | report errors
 
Reviews: 2
Site review by Polly Nomial January 31, 2011
Performance:  
There is an album of worth itching to break out of its shackles here but this is not it.

Sadly for Timothy Richards and the Minsk Orchestra, the direction of Wilhelm Keitel must be some of the least inspired that has been heard on this medium. To make the overture to La Forza del Destino sound so bland is a crime against art music - why did all the expression need to be ironed out? When one hears and feels more from a pre-war Toscanini performance, something is seriously amiss. The small size of the Minsk Orchestra is not helpful but that does not excuse what Keitel obtains from the ensemble.

Against such tedium, Richards tries his best but struggles in vain for his accompanying band to follow his lead and so such arias as "Nessun dorma" fail to take flight. This album is clearly aimed at the followers of Richards and probably some impulse buyers impressed by the sultry photograph together with the obligatory Turandot aria. Such buyers will be disappointed as no texts are provided and nor is any information (beyond a general discussion of singing styles in C19 Italy) about the music.

The sound more than adequately reflects the performances here but give me Arturo any day...

Not recommended in any way shape or form (there are cheaper ways to get a coaster).

Copyright © 2011 John Broggio and SA-CD.net
Review by BSB2007 February 25, 2011 (1 of 3 found this review helpful)
Performance:  Sonics (S/MC): /
Sorry Polly, your revie smacks of some kind of snobbery but perhaps you haven't listened to the recording.
Listen everyone this tenor Timothy Richards is well worth listening to. More than that, I am certain all of you will play it again and again - Richards' singing is is simply astonishing. It has passion, power, purity and accuracy.

Disregard Polly's review she must be referring to something else - or as I said earlier didn't listen to it. This tenor has been wowing Europ with his siging I hope he is to tour soon or at least release more recordings.
As Polly said the Minsk Orchestra is a little restained but it is also lush and gives the stage to Timothy Richards - after all that is wht the CD is about. When the Minsk Orchestra get their three orchestra only tracks they more than prove Polly's vie is off target.

Barry S Britzman

Was this review helpful to you? 
 
Works: 9  
Giacomo Puccini - Il Tabarro
Giacomo Puccini - La Bohème
Giacomo Puccini - Tosca
Giacomo Puccini - Turandot
Giuseppe Verdi - La Forza del Destino
Giuseppe Verdi - La Traviata
Giuseppe Verdi - Macbeth
Giuseppe Verdi - Rigoletto
Giuseppe Verdi - Un Ballo in Maschera