Classical, with a twist ...
arobles | Mexico, DF Mexico | 08/23/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"You won't believe Stratos performs without a conductor, but they do. Prior to the recording of this CD, they lived together for two weeks, rehearsing, playing and learning to think together. The result is powerful and emotional music, a bit out of the ordinary, but sublime for the ear.This masterpiece includes:Corelli's Christmas Concerto Tomaso Albioni's AdagioDmitri Shostakovich and Rudolf Barshai's Chamber Symphony, Op. 110aBarber's AdagioVivalidi's Summer Frank Martin's Etudes for String OrchestraTrust me when I say they could hardly sound any better."
One of the best ever
arobles | 03/12/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"My only frustration with Stratos is that they've only put out one CD. This is THE most passionate music I've heard. Of course they don't play anything new -- it's the way they play it that makes the difference. The group rotates leadership, and they play without a conductor. Somehow it comes through; each musician plays as if this music were her/his own. Although Barber's "Adagio for Strings" has been overplayed recently because it was used in a movie soundtrack, this version is the best, period. It's almost impossible to listen to it without crying. And the Corelli -- move over Ravel . . . put this on at bedtime!"