Brilliant bon humeur - Ormandy and the fantastic philadelphians

George Ormandy is a conductor I descovered late, yet he makes me so happy of my descovery. This is the last cd I got in a series and it's like a delicious cake at the end of a most satisfactory meal. All the small pieces on this cd are famous, some of them had a great career in Disney classics (like Dukas' "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" and Ponchielli's "Dance Of The Hours" in Fantasia and Brahms's Hungarian Dance No.5 in Three little pigs) the others are as famous. They are a treat even for those not so fond of classical music.

On this cd though you find them in some of the best shapes ever. Even though they come from so different backgound they are treated equally. The Philadelphians are indeed in fantastic form, Ormandy loves these pieces and manages to recreate them with the seriousness and wit they deserve. I found here a very old favourite of mine (Brahms' Dance No. 5) in one of the best versions I've heard. Furtwangler has another delicious version. The Dance of the hours is funny and pulls you off your chair, Saint-Saens' Dance Macabre has just the right amount of darkness and spookyness; everything is played so right and you just live a continous happy and very enjoyable audition. Last but not least the sound is exceptional, especially for the time of the recording and everything is done so you feel really well, due especially to Ormandy who approaches this small pieces without a shadow of selfishness and with very much care.

Enjoy!