Customer Reviews: Excellent Sound QualityApril 15, 2010 Jack Francis(Venice, Fl.) I have purchased almost 20 of the Living Stereo SACDs, and this one may be the best recording/transfer of the bunch. The turntable is only gathering dust these days. Reiner was born in 1888, and was schooled by people of the 19th century, and listening to this SACD is like taking a time capsule to a Wien from another era.
Strauss "Lite"September 16, 2008 L. H. Grishman(Santa Clarita, CA) 7 out of 7 found this review helpful
Reiner's approach to the Strauss Viennese style is somewhat inconsistent. For example he takes the Emperor Waltzes in "straight" 3/4 time and is thus devoid of the traditional anticipated second beat slightly throwing off the snare drum and mars a tradition that gives the Viennese waltz its uniqueness and charm. He also makes in my judgment a serious error in cutting part of the finale coda...a move which knocks out the necessary tension leading to the grand rise of orchestral forces culminating in the final tympani roll. Other tracks do include some very nice idiosyncratic "lite" touches and are delightful. His use of rubato could be a bit more liberally applied. Reiner's tempos are lively and the orchestra responds with polish. The SACD has a fine sound presence in comparison to the analogue CD version.
Three stars for interpretation. But for authentic Viennese music making try Karajan, Kempe or Boskovsky.
A thoroughly enjoyable discJanuary 21, 2008 Randall J. Wetmore(Wall, NJ United States) 3 out of 5 found this review helpful
These classic performances are just a delight. I never tire from them even after repeated listenings. Some of Reiner's best stuff. Great SACD sound too.
WOW!August 10, 2007 T. Schmalz(New Jersey) 12 out of 12 found this review helpful
This recording of Viennese music performed by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Fritz Reiner is one of the most successful re-releases with RCA's Living Stereo Hybrid SACD series. The selections composed by either Johann or Josef Strauss were taken from an earlier release in the Fritz Reiner Collection (60177-2-RG) and Weber's "Invitation to the Dance is taken from The Reiner Sound. Also included is Richard Strauss' Der Rosenkavalier Waltz Sequence No. 1. The sound is simply unbelievable! I do not exaggerate when I say that it sounds like it was recorded yesterday; it just blows you away! As always, Fritz Reiner sounds like he was born to conduct this music. He has long been known for his success with the music of Strauss and his personal friendship to Richard Strauss.
This is a recording you cannot miss! Highly reccommendable and well worth your money!
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