Search - Richard Strauss, Fritz Reiner, Chicago Symphony Orchestra :: Richard Strauss: Symphonia Domestica [Hybrid SACD]

You Can't Beat Reiner

T. Schmalz | New Jersey | 08/10/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"My reviews of the recordings of Fritz Reiner are starting to become monotonous; excellent sound and wonderful interpretation! You simply cannot go wrong with this new edition to RCA's Living Stereo Hybrid SACD series. Reiner knew Strauss personally and just has a natural way with his music; fantastic recording and well worth your money!"

Reiner uniquely combines virtuosity and refinement

Santa Fe Listener | Santa Fe, NM USA | 11/25/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I know three great recordings of Strauss's problematic Sinfonia Domestica: Furtwangler, Karajan, and Reiner. They are drastically different, each trying to solve the problem of vulgarity and vapidness that plauges this otherwise dazzling orchestral showpiece. Furtwangler interprets the music as if it were first-rate, with complete sincerity and emotional honesty, calling upon his unique artistic imagination. Karajan overhwlems us with the brilliance and power of Strauss's scoring, relying on polish and visceral impact to carry the listener over the banal spots.



Reiner has decided that ultra-refinement and delicacy will override the score's vulgar stretches, and although my first impression was that he had seriously misjudged things by bypassing the score's excitement -- the opening is subdued, as are many passages that other conductors soup up -- his ace in the hole is the riveting virtuosity of the CSO, particularly the exquisitely balanced woodwind section. If Strauss can be said to approach his polar opposite, Debussy, here is where it happens. RCA's original three-chaneel tapes come up beautifully in this new SACD remastering, and although I probably love the Furstwangler and Karajan readings more than this cooler, more detached one, as a lesson in perfect execution, Reiner's Sinfonia Domestica remains unchallenged."