Search - Ottorino Respighi, Daniele Gatti, Saint Cecilia Academy Orchestra :: Respighi: Feste Romane; Fontane di Roma; Pini di Roma

Wow

R. Trimble | San Jose, Ca. | 07/20/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"For years the Maazel/Cleveland recording of the Roman Festivals has been a classical guilty pleasure of mine. Very exciting music, played extraordinarily well, and despite the piece's reputation as "classical junk food" I found it a wonderful listening experience.



When I saw that the Penguin Guide made the relatively unknown Gatti/St. Cecilia recording one of their top picks (the only drawback of the recording being a too-wide dynamic range!) I thought "Yeah, right...". But the whole disc is an amazing accomplishment- Festivals, Fountains and Pines. I had no idea this orchestra could play like this.



Gatti's performance of Festivals lacks a tiny bit of the adrenaline rush and raw ferocity that Maazel brings, but only a tiny bit. Gatti's is a more "rounded" performance; little touches make it feel more paced and less "assaultive", if you will. But it lacks no excitement. It's perhaps more highly detailed than Maazel's, and in every way it's compelling and ultimately satisfying. Highly recommended!"

I've Heard (most of) The Rest

johcafra | New Jersey, USA | 07/03/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"...and if I want my socks blown off, I choose Reiner/Chicago, Muti/Philly, and Batiz/RPO. All the powerhouses feel compelled to pull all the stops, and you can't blame them. But I appear eminently able to lose my socks without having to set that to music. Simply put, Maestro Gatti and this orchestra speak Respighi's best-known tone poems with love. Try this one."