Verdi: Requiem
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CD Details
Composer: VerdiConductor: Victor De Sabata
Performer: Elisabeth Schwarzkopf
Performer: Giuseppe Di Stefano
Edition: Music CD
CD Release Date: 1995-10-17
Music Label: EMI Classics
Music reviews of Verdi: Requiem
Music Review: Edward Greenfield wrote in Gramophone
Rating: 5 Stars
"EMI's long-awaited reissue of the 1954 de Sabata version of Verdi's `Requiem' is a unique, incandescent set now making a belated reappearance after 30 years in limbo. Its very unavailability in the catalogue since just after the mid-1960s has tended to add to its legendary status, amply borne out in this CD renovation, in which dynamic extremes are well caught.
"Statistics alone demonstrate how different it is from Serafin's 1939 recording: de Sabata takes no less than 95 minutes over the work, as against Serafin's 73 minutes, an astonishing discrepancy. In the opening movement alone de Sabata takes 6'38'' against Serafin's 4'34'', and the difference is more extreme still in the 'Lacrymosa', 7'18'' against 4'26''.
"The electrically urgent de Sabata--well illustrated in some of the orchestral fill-ups on the set--flashes out only occasionally in sudden dynamic bursts, as in the `Dies Irae'. Otherwise this is a raptly devotional, totally concentrated reading to a degree that would be hard to match. The obvious parallel is the Giulini made ten years after, again with Schwarzkopf as soprano soloist, and with Walter Legge as producer. Yet far more than Giulini's, de Sabata's is a performance of extremes, not just magnetic but very personal in its new look. So the 'Te Decet Hymnus' section of the opening movement is made emphatically marcato with underlining that draws attention to itself. That and dozens of other points which are determinedly different in their exaggeration of markings make me draw a parallel with another Italian conductor, berated by many critics, but always with revelations to bring, Giuseppe Sinopoli.
"Where de Sabata rides triumphant is in his spine-tingling authority, even when you disagree, and the four superb soloists respond with total commitment, Schwarzkopf most of all. The voice is a degree fresher and younger-sounding than ten years later for Giulini, thrilling in attack on top notes, both loud and soft, with many fine-spun top A flats pianissimo, not to mention the top B flat in that 'Requiem' reprise, marked pppp in the score and so interpreted here.
"Oralia Dominguez excels herself, as cleanly focused as Schwarzkopf, with her rapid flicker-vibrato adding character to the firm mezzo timbre. Giuseppe di Stefano sings with headily fresh tone, and de Sabata even woos the occasional mezza voce from him, while Siepi, not quite as rocklike or imaginative as Pinza for Serafin, is splendid too. The chorus sing lustily, but with characteristic Italian reluctance to match in an ensemble.
"The fill-ups complete the picture of de Sabata. The `Traviata' preludes, rapt and finely shaded, were what first suggested the Sinopoli parallel to me, and each of the other items reveals a different facet of this fascinating artist--the Respighi sensuously atmospheric, `Guillaume Tell' given surprising refinement. Best of all are the two little Wolf-Ferrari items, in their point and sparkle deliciously witty in a way one might not have expected from de Sabata. A unique set and a wonderful revelation."
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