Search - Debussy, Respighi, De Sabata :: La Mer / Nocturnes / Fountains of Rome

Not every expert thinks Arturo Toscanini was the greatest Italian conductor of the century. Victor de Sabata is another contender for that role. Competition aside, here is a fine collection of de Sabata's most characteristic recordings, including a major find: La Mer, a superb performance never before published. In all of this music, some of which (Respighi) is pretty vulgar, the conductor draws amazingly refined, accurate playing from his orchestra (a group which could sound awful under other conductors), and has them carrying out his extremely convincing conceptions of the music. This disc is a real primer in the art of conducting, and is graced with illuminating program notes about the conductor. Surprisingly good sound. --Leslie Gerber