Kathleen Battle's "Rite of Spring was indeed the highlight.
John Kwok | 06/18/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Of the entire Strauss repertoire presented, none could compare to the splendid soprano solo by Kathleen Battle on "Rite of Spring." Ms. Battle demonstrates why, despite her Met dismissal, her colloratura remains unequalled in classical music, past and present. Certainly there has never been and will never be a soprano who can match her voice control and tonal precision. Without a doubt, hers is one of the greatest soprano voices of the century."
Missing Battle? :-(
Paul Roske | Rhode Island, U.S. | 02/29/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I am a big fan of Kathleen Battle and the Vienna Philharmonic. The quality of the recording was excellent as is the case for all the New Year's Day concerts. The main reason I purchased this Cd was to hear Kathleen Battle. Although she is said to perform 3 selections this is not the case. Miss Battle only is present on one selection-Voices of Spring."
Still A Splendid New Year's Concert Recording from the Wiene
John Kwok | New York, NY USA | 04/11/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"In 1986 the Wiener Philharmoniker decided to invite annually a guest conductor to conduct its popular New Year's Day concerts, which still do garner interest from devout classical music fans around the globe. The first conductor so honored, Herbert von Karajan, made the concert his own memorial tribute to the Strauss family (Johann Strauss, Johann Strauss II and Josef Strauss), emphasizing such popular pieces as the "Die Fledermaus" overture and "Voices of Spring" waltz, featuring an elegant solo from acclaimed American soprano Kathleen Battle. It still remains one of the finest concert recordings in the history of the Wiener Philharmoniker's annual concerts, holding its own against recent recordings featuring the likes of Nikolaus Harnoncourt, Mariss Jansons, Lorin Maazel, Zubin Mehta and Riccardo Muti among others. Devout fans of the Strauss family, Wiener Philharmoniker and Herbert von Karajan won't be disappointed with this memorable concert performance, which this single CD has captured almost virtually in its entirety."