Good, but far from stellar
MildCritter | Rome, GA United States | 06/13/2003
(3 out of 5 stars)
"I have long been a fan of Carmina Burana and of the ASO. I bought this CD specifically to get an idea of the influence of new blood on the ASO, as I am no fan of Joel Levi (the previous principal conductor) and had heard many good things about Donald Runnicles. I was terribly disappointed to find that the performance is good, but far from great. I was most surprised to find that the worst of the deficiencies were in the chorus, long among the strongest in the nation. The orchestral preparation was excellent, but unnecessarily restrained. The soloists were quite good, but not spectacular. The chorus was often muddy and indistinct. On the Shaw ASO recording, the chorus was crisp and nearly perfect, but this CD suffers from technical problems in the recording of the chorus. The singers are often too low in the mix, and there is not enough clarity and punch in the all-important speech definition range (2-6kHz) to let their consonants come through clearly. This is not a bad recording, but it simply does not live up to the potential of either the chorus, the orchestra, or the piece. It is simply too restrained on the part of the orchestra and too unclear on the part of the chorus. The first is a matter of the conductor's interpretation, but the second is a problem in engineering and mixing."
Carmina Burana - Orff- Atlanta sym.
MAURICE A. KENNEY | S.C.S., MI United States | 12/20/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Forcefull!!!!!! Outstanding performance!!!!!!!! Dam near blew the windows our of my car on trac 8!!!!!
Buy it you'll like it!!!!!!
I have five other versions of this work and this by far the BEST I have ever heard!!!!!!!
I can rattle my dishes on my home 'Mac' system as well!"
Better live, but still an invigorating recording
K. Bernhard | Atlanta, GA USA | 12/07/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I had the privilege of being a member of the children's chorus that sings on several of the tracks. Now, several years later with experience with numerous other professional choral groups under my belt, I still look back on this recording as the best choral excperience of my life.
The soloists have been described as weak in places, which I find a true assessment. However, the soloists that are on the recording were added at the last moment, after scathing reviews of the concert soloists. While this is certainly not an excuse for the somewhat lackluster performance, it is then easy to understand the soloists' degree of uncomfortability with the chorus and orchestra.
Although the technical recording difficulties are evident, this recording still shines above it in my mind. The power of the chorus transcends any of the other problems with the soloists or recording devices. The sonority and tone of the chorus and recording as a whole is well worth the price of the cd. Compared to other recordings of Carmina, this one has such a high feeling of energy that cannot help but touch the listener. Overall, a very good recording. Well worth the price."
