Search - Luigi Cherubini, Donato Renzetti, Orchestra della Toscana :: Cherubini: Sinfonia & Overtures

Underapreciated and underated

John Parker Marmaro | 11/22/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Most people do not know that Beethoven once said that Cherubini was the greatest living composer. It's truly unfortunate that Cherubini has not achieved the same fame and respect as his fellow composer to the north. There simply are not enough recordings of this great composer as this recording truly shows the genius and quality of his music. The structure, scoring, inventiveness and inspiration of this symphony rivals anything that Beethoven ever wrote. Instead of making another recording of Beethoven's 9th, record companies should seriously consider looking towards Southern Europe for some truly great symphonic music. Northern-European based symphonies and record companies as well as Amercian symphonic societies need to realize that Italian composers did more that just write opera in the 19th century!"

Instrumental Works of Cherubini

02/24/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

""Cherubini: Sinfonia; Overtures" is a wonderful way to be introduced to the instrumental works of this great classical composer. Now known mostly for his religious works, Cherubini was also a great composer of instrumental works and opera. This CD is a wonderful collection of the instrumental works of Cherubini. The Symphony in D on this recording is the best I've heard. As someone who owns a fairly large collection of Cherubini's work, I highly recommond this CD."

Magnificent Composer! Magnificent Works! Magnificent Recordi

John Parker Marmaro | Spring Hill, Florida | 08/23/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As our reviewing colleague notes below, near the end of his life, Beethoven was asked who, apart from himself, was the greatest living composer: after a thinking a moment, he replied that it was Cherubini. I had always thought that an odd choice-- but this recording, and these works, amply illustrate the justness of Beethoven's opinion. For these are works in the very same musical language as that employed by Beethoven-- inventive, beautiful, often exciting, marvellously composed and brilliantly orchestrated. What a pity Cherubini did not write more symphonies! This example, commissioned for London in the 1810s (1817 I think it was) is magnificent. As are the overtures that follow-- they show a fertility of invention, a felicity of inspiration, and a sense of beauty and proportion and fire that are magnificent. The performances are sterling also-- and the recording rich and clear: just the right degree of reverberation and body in the bass, with the treble brilliant and clean. And this disc is so reasonably priced! If you love classical music-- and the high classic period in particular-- do not hesitate! This disc is a splendid introduction to a woefully underappreciated composer. Take Beethoven's word for it-- to which I add my own humble (but passionate) agreement!"