Richard P Marsden | Scottsdale, Arizona United States | 08/04/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Like many others I heard this piece of work on the PBS special about Napoleon. The Napoleonic era is a favorite area of study for me and this CD gives sound to the paintings and books I collect. Anyone interested in the Napoleonic era must pick up this fabulous work. MUST. The steady chorus and orchestrical sounds mingling together truly give one a feeling of what the coronation was like. A strange mixture of the pious religious and the prideful military that all builds up into what must have been a spectacular occasion. We have paintings and literature about Napoleon, now we have music which further brings to life one of the most influential men ever to tread upon this Earth. The music is the epitome of the Emperor's infamous propaganda and perhaps best gives one a sense of how glorious he wished others to percieve him. It works, the music is infectious in its energy and granduer. Simply a must."
Glorious
Ryan T. Miller | Houston, TX, USA | 07/02/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I must first inform the reader that I am biased in this review; I harbor an adoration for Napoleon that borders on hero-worship. This naturally figures into my reckoning of this product. That said, I consider this CD to be one of the finest in my prodigious collection. The music is majestic and rousing, as one would expect it to be. My only complaint is minor; the sound field seems to be somewhat distant, and some of the instruments are tinny. In the face of the CD's virtues, however, these flaws are inconsequential. If you, good reader, have any interest whatever in Napoleon and/or great music, indulge yourself and purchase this disc. I assure you, you shan't regret it."
Messe of Sacre bleu!
David Fisher | Stanwood, Michigan United States | 05/28/2002
(3 out of 5 stars)
"I ordered this copy of Napoleon's Coronation Mass expecting a more professional presentation in terms of mixing. Particularly during the "Vivat," I found it shrill. The cymbals are a special irritant. They overpower the music and sound powerful enough to be computer generated. The "Vivat" was the main reason I ordered this disc. I still, enjoy it because I can imagine how it should sound. Done correctly, it would be a much more rewarding listen. The male's soloist's portamento during the "Gloria" was sloppy, slding into notes rather hitting them with precision. Most charming is the "Tu es Petrus": no special effects, only the music itself.
Short of the above, I recommend this piece as long as you don't expect excellence and have some idea how each band should sound."
Music For Napoleon's Ego
Rudy Avila | Lennox, Ca United States | 09/27/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Napoleon Bonaparte himself would adore this recording. Unfortunately, it's out of print or unavailable and that's a pity. The music is glorious and the singing is sublime. This is actual music that was played during Napoleon's Coronation and his Era. This is bombastic and regal music, balanced with a sense of spirituality and religious pomp, like a Catholic Te Deum. This is more along the lines of a box set and contains hours of glorious Napoloen Era Ceremonial Music (early 1800's). The music is played by the St. Petersburg Sate Academic Capella Symphony with Brass Ensemble, chorus and soloists that are all Russian as conducted by Vladislav Tchernouchenko. It opens with a grand March Du Sacre, followed by a Mass, a motet, the divine-sounding Vivat en Aeternum, Tu Es Petrus (beautiful!)and the concluding Te Deum. This is a must have for fans of older music. Many people learned of this recording from the PBS special on Napoleon. This rare and obscure work ought to be better appreciated as classical music."