Hungarian folk blossoms under marvelously modern orchestra!
03/20/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"ZOLTAN KODALY WAS A COMPOSER OF THE FIRST RANK.HIS THRILLNG `DANCES OF GALANTA`WILL LEAVE YOUR SPIRIT SOARING,INSPIRED,AND THIRSTY FOR MORE.THE`HARY JANOS SUITE`IS BASICALLY FAIRY TALE MUSIC AWASH WITH BRIGHT HUES OF YELLOW,ORANGE,AND BLUE.IT IS PURE MAGIC.A LITTLE MORE THAN A HINT OF GYPSY PERMEATES THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE CD AND THE CHICAGO SYMPHONY TRULY CONFIRMS IT`S REPUTATION AS ONE OF THE WORLD`S FINEST.ALL CLASSICAL MUSIC LOVERS SHOULD BUY THIS NOW!!!!"
A waste of Kodaly.
CAHANA JOEL | Haifa , Israel | 06/11/2000
(1 out of 5 stars)
"I regret not to share the review of my former companions about this CD. Three major facts was put together to make this CD a smashing success :A well known conductor as Neeme Jarvi ,who have already proved his abilty and crafmanship on several CD's like Dvorak Poems where he was outstanding... A first class Symphonic Orchestra as The Chicago Symphonic which had been groomed by Solti and was Wonderful playing Brahms Symphonies under his button and Chandos Records with its slogan "Worlds ahead for clarity " and a well-estalblished reputation for professional CD's. Allas ,In this CD All the three failed desperately.. Kodaly is everything but alienate and foggy music which is played as behind a curtain in this CD. On who shall I cast the blame ? A tired and perhaps misinterpreting conductor or An awfull sound which clarity is away ahead and you may experience ups and downs while trying ro listen to Hary Janos or Peacock Variations. The peacock colours have faded with such a performance . Just not to suspect me being biased try to listen to Galanta Dances with the legendary performance of Ferenc Friscay in the late 50th and Mono and you will see the light and colours immediately. Last but not least are the curious remarks and analogies done by Plummer in his so called enclosed review about the connection between Ravel and Mahler to this peace. I'm not in the habit of disqualifying but unfortunately this is the case not to buy a CD."