Search - Edvard Grieg, Samuel Barber, Bloch :: Israel Chamber Orchestra: Yoav Talmi Conducts Bloch: Concerto Grosso No. 1 / Barber: Adagio for Strings / Grieg: Holberg Suite Op. 40 / Puccini: Crisantemi

A real find

J. Buxton | Waltham, MA United States | 05/23/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I bought this disc probably ten years ago and I am pleased to see it is still available. What ravishing sound! The engineers at Chandos seem to be able to perform miracles because every disc on this label has unbelievably good sound. This is no exception. Grieg's Holberg Suite is just fun and the Bloch and Puccini works are really distinctive and memorable, highly melodic. Of course there is Barber's adagio, here played with great feeling. Again the rich, warm sound is amazing. Although the choice of composers is somewhat random, this is still a great disc."

Passionate performance on Chandos

Charles Grosz | Milwaukee, WI USA | 08/27/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Israel Chamber Orchestra and the Chandos label have joined forces to produce a disc of ravishing sound and inspired playing. Conductor Yoav Talmi leads the orchestra through familiar and unkown works from this past century, and delivers exciting and thoughtful readings. Grieg's "Holberg Suite" is played here with rhythmic accuracy and seemless ensemble. Each of the five movements are given their own personality, with the end result resembling a fine string of polished pearls. The "Adagio for Strings" of Barber is beautifuuly played. The full, warm string sound of the ICO is faithfully reproduced by the Chandos engineering staff. Perhaps the biggest treat is the unfamiliar Puccini elegy "Crisantemi," a lovely ten minute work which glimpses the composer's less-heard intimate stylings. Talmi's tempos are reflective without being sluggish, and the orchestra's tone quality is ethereal without thin or brittle side effect. Highly recommended."