- Orchestra: Rome Opera Orchestra
- Conductor: Tullio Serafin
- Composer: Giuseppe Verdi
- Audio CD (1 Oct 2001)
- SPARS Code: DDD
- Number of Discs: 1
- Format: CD
- Label: Naxos Historical
- ASIN: B00005QIRW
- Other Editions: MP3 Download
- Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 101,078 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
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Product details |
Track Listings
| 1. I Requiem and Kyrie |
| 2. II Dies irae |
| 3. III Offertorium |
| 4. IV Sanctus |
| 5. V Annus Dei |
| 6. VI Lux aeterna |
| 7. VII Libera me |
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I am sure aficionados of historical recordings will be surprised by the previous negative reviews. For 1939 this classic performance's amazing sonic quality couldn't be better, especially with a cast like Caniglia, Stignani, Gigli and Pinza (all in their prime). The only quibble - a minor one - is its duration: this must be the fastest Verdi Requiem ever (73 minutes). The other historical recordings of this work that I also cherish are the Toscanini with Milanov (1940) and Tebaldi (1950), and the Sabata with Tebaldi (1951) and Schwarzkopf (1954), though the German soprano's performance (also on the EMI/Giulini) isn't as successful as her predecessors. The Serafin is a welcome addition to any Verdi REQUIEM library.
PS You might also wish to try Serafin's other recording made years later (available on Testament): Vartenissian's soprano is stupendous.
PS You might also wish to try Serafin's other recording made years later (available on Testament): Vartenissian's soprano is stupendous.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I was so glad to find this as a replacement for a cassette, painstakingly recorded from 78's by a former work colleague.
It is one of the great recording treasures. The honest, pure interpretation by the soloists raises this to the stature of definitive recording of the work.
A treasure
It is one of the great recording treasures. The honest, pure interpretation by the soloists raises this to the stature of definitive recording of the work.
A treasure
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Whereas on Amazon.com this famous account gets its due from the reviews hitherto, on the Amazon UK website its low average star rating makes it look like a lemon, having been badly and negatively reviewed by at least three ill-informed commentators who were either unaware or couldn't be bothered to check that this is of course an historic, 1939 recording.
No-one could reasonably suggest that this is the perfect introduction to this music for a novice but at super bargain price for performances of this quality in quite reasonable sound for its era, it's a steal. One soon screens out the residual hiss and a surprising amount of detail emerges, even though the chorus in particular can seem distant and there is a bit of blare at climaxes.
This is perhaps the fastest good performance on record at just under 73 minutes. I do not find it rushed (except perhaps in the the rather breathless "Dies Irae") because a gravitas permeates the interpretation; this is that rare combination in versions of this most recorded of pieces: one which combines reverence with drama. It is comparable in pace and attack to Toscanini's 1951 recording, whereas Serafin's 1959 studio recording is considerably more reflective. The Rome forces are wholly idiomatic and the chorus sounds fully committed.
Although they are far from flawless as a team, the soloists could hardly be more characterful and they are totally authentic in style. Caniglia may have the occasional intonation problem and the odd moment of squawkiness but she maintains a wonderful, soaring, Verdian line and terrific intensity, sustained by a solid lower regsiter. The great Stignani is fearless and assured but mars her delivery with some odd Latin pronunciation, whereby every "eh" becomes "ah" as in "sedahbit" rather than "sedebit"; a curious and regrettable tic. Gigli is of course famously sweet-toned and indulges in his extensive repertoire of reprehensible mannerisms, including aspirates, scoops, glottals and sobs - and his trill is pants. Yet his is a memorable, sincere performance and the voice is intrinsically beautiful. The greatest, near-perfect singing here is to be found in Pinza's grand bass; his flickering vibrato, ability to expand the voice blackly and trenchant low notes make for a chilling, imposing impact.
Every lover of this inexhaustibly absorbing music should own this - and can at this price, especially if it's bought on Marketplace. As an avowed Verdi Requiem nut, I have dozens of recordings and this one is amongst the most compelling.
No-one could reasonably suggest that this is the perfect introduction to this music for a novice but at super bargain price for performances of this quality in quite reasonable sound for its era, it's a steal. One soon screens out the residual hiss and a surprising amount of detail emerges, even though the chorus in particular can seem distant and there is a bit of blare at climaxes.
This is perhaps the fastest good performance on record at just under 73 minutes. I do not find it rushed (except perhaps in the the rather breathless "Dies Irae") because a gravitas permeates the interpretation; this is that rare combination in versions of this most recorded of pieces: one which combines reverence with drama. It is comparable in pace and attack to Toscanini's 1951 recording, whereas Serafin's 1959 studio recording is considerably more reflective. The Rome forces are wholly idiomatic and the chorus sounds fully committed.
Although they are far from flawless as a team, the soloists could hardly be more characterful and they are totally authentic in style. Caniglia may have the occasional intonation problem and the odd moment of squawkiness but she maintains a wonderful, soaring, Verdian line and terrific intensity, sustained by a solid lower regsiter. The great Stignani is fearless and assured but mars her delivery with some odd Latin pronunciation, whereby every "eh" becomes "ah" as in "sedahbit" rather than "sedebit"; a curious and regrettable tic. Gigli is of course famously sweet-toned and indulges in his extensive repertoire of reprehensible mannerisms, including aspirates, scoops, glottals and sobs - and his trill is pants. Yet his is a memorable, sincere performance and the voice is intrinsically beautiful. The greatest, near-perfect singing here is to be found in Pinza's grand bass; his flickering vibrato, ability to expand the voice blackly and trenchant low notes make for a chilling, imposing impact.
Every lover of this inexhaustibly absorbing music should own this - and can at this price, especially if it's bought on Marketplace. As an avowed Verdi Requiem nut, I have dozens of recordings and this one is amongst the most compelling.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Verdi's requiem cd
Again perfect conditionvery well packaged for shipng,and very good response time,from ordering to shipping out,to
the cd getting to me. Read more
the cd getting to me. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Lone Wolf
An historic performance
Verdi's masterpiece has here a top performance. Soloists, choir, orchestra and conductor are all first rate. Read more
Published 18 months ago by S. CASTELO-BRANCO
Historic recording
This is a recording done in 1939. Therefore if what you want is an historic recording of Verdi's Requiem, then this is the one for you. Read more
Published on 13 July 2009 by JHawkins
Not recommended as a rehearsal tool!
I bought this copy of the Requiem as I am singing at a concert in a few weeks and wanted a recording to help me learn my part. Read more
Published on 21 April 2009 by V. McCall
Good piece, good performance, rubbish sound quality
Compared with the previous reviewer, I did realise this recording was from 1939, but due to the names, I was expecting better than this. Read more
Published on 30 Nov 2006 by Daniel Hornby
A bad buy
Admittedly, I had not realised this recording had originally been made in 1939 before I purchased this CD, but the quality of this CD is simply appalling. Read more
Published on 24 Feb 2005
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