Simone Young's Verdi Requiem

[Ray Hall]

Heard Simone Young's live recording of this oft recorded piece last night,
and wondered if others had any thoughts. On ABC Classics, and recorded at
the Sydney Opera House Jan 2001. The four soloists are Rosamund Illing
(soprano), Bernadette Cullen (mezzo), Dennis O'Neill (tenor) and Bruce
Martin (bass).

Young starts off the Requiem with superb hushed intensity. Her Dies irae is
fast at the start and at the close, but there are some lovely touches in
between, and the off-stage trumpets can be heard in their right perspective,
(the opening trumpet note doesn't exactly hit the spot, but a small matter),
and her Sanctus, quite powerful and raw (2'26), and without quite the
serenity that I have heard Muti give this live, or that recorded by Giulini,
but it works in the context of her performance.

The singing is really the high spot for me, and all the soloists sing very
well imo. Martin hasn't a really dark bass, but this doesn't seem to matter
that much. I always grind my teeth a little at the Agnus Dei, (those droning
descents are not my cup of tea), but overall, I thought it had enough merit
for those, who may get the chance to hear this recording, a chance to
comment.

ABC Classics 472 430-2 (total timing 78'06")

Regards,

# http://www.users.bigpond.com/hallraylily/index.html
See You Tamara (Ozzy Osbourne)

Ray, Taree, NSW

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[Andrew T. Kay]

Ray Hall wrote:

>I always grind my teeth a little at the Agnus Dei, (those droning
>descents are not my cup of tea),

Me too. The work as a whole is one of the pinnacles for me (both of the
choral/sacred repertory and of Verdi's life's work), but if there's a portion
of it that I don't love, and that makes me fidget a little in anything less
than a stunning performance, it's that one.

Thanks for the review.

--Todd K

[Simon Roberts]

In article <20030206214851...@mb-mg.aol.com>,
lastredl...@aol.com says...

I love that movement (not that it's often well enough performed). But I'm
puzzled that Mr. Hall is encouraging us to listen to yet another recording of
one of those tired old warhorses he's complaining about in the Bax thread.

Simon

[Ray Hall]

"Simon Roberts" <sd...@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:b20ep...@drn.newsguy.com...

Most things these days seem to puzzle Mr Roberts.

Regards,

# http://www.users.bigpond.com/hallraylily/index.html
See You Tamara (Ozzy Osbourne)

Ray, Taree, NSW

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[william d. kasimer]

Simon Roberts <sd...@comcast.net> wrote in message news:<b20ep...@drn.newsguy.com>...

> But I'm

> puzzled that Mr. Hall is encouraging us to listen to yet another recording of
> one of those tired old warhorses he's complaining about in the Bax thread.

I'm puzzled that anyone could possibly recommend a recording that
features Dennis O'Neill...

Bill

[Ray Hall]

"william d. kasimer" <wkas...@quincymc.org> wrote in message
news:f69b4194.03020...@posting.google.com...

I merely suggested it had merit, may appeal to others, and for me has local
interest also. I never suggested it would supplant Giulini. As for Dennis
O'Neill then I know no more about him than the man in the moon. As I said,
the singing, for the most part, was to my ears at least, very attractive.

It is not a prime recommendation as such, other than I enjoyed it very much,
but it has definite potential to appeal to others, who may be looking for a
different take on this work.