A surprising Requiem

I like Verdi's Requiem and I really believe that Giulini's version is the ultimate version. But of course there are others full of merit, Serafin's vintage recording is a landmark, and so is this recording of Solti. Although very different from Giulini's it is a very satisfying experience and most of all because of Pavarotti. I don't think much of him as an interpreter. He had a phenomenal gift in his voice but it was never backed up by an equally impressive artistic intelligence. However, in this recording he sounds so right. The voice is in its best days (so all those who are huge fans of Pavarotti's voice will have a great reward) but also he is so on top of everything the text and the music is intended to transmit. His Ingemisco if it's not the best, it is one of the best for sure. Everywhere he has a part he makes it shine.

Another great highlight of this recording is Martti Talvela. Probably one of the most impressive basses of the modern era, this tragically short lived star, forms the backbone of the recording. He is in touch with all the human suffering and dispair, his voice cries with dignity. Among others, the Lacrimosa owes him the cathedralesque beauty it has.

Another top notch performer, also in excellent voice at the time, is the unmistakable mezzo colour of Marilyn Horne. She makes you shiver and I couldn't help but thinking that there is a reason why the final day will be announced by a woman. Again her Lacrimosa with Talvela is a glorious moment of this recording and of this Requiem recordings in general.

Solti does a very good job. I started listening with circumspection as I couldn't see his very energetic temperament doing to much good to this work. He manages to hold his horses and pulls off a very convincing operatic conception. I still don't feel it has the unity and the flow of Giulini yet it is still a very good version, also in very good sound.

I left for last the only major dissapointment of this recording: Joan Sutherland. Although reading the cover I thought she would be the star she turns out to be the weakest spot. She is in voice but she doesn't understand anything. She is underpowered by all means and it really looks like she just couldn't find her recording room and stayed with this one. Such a big pitty.

Anyways, this recording has a lot to offer and there are a lot of reasons to listen to it. Dies irae, Ingemisco, Lacrimosa just to name a few of the bijous you'll find on this cd.