Verdi - Complete Preludes, Overtures and Ballet Music - Downes 19964CDs - DDD
Chandos 2005
Conductor: Edward Downes
Orchestra/Ensemble: BBC Philharmonic Orchestra
"[T]hese performances from an experienced British operatic stalwart have dignity . . ., panache, and splendidly colourful orchestral playing, including real string virtuosity, using the widest range of dynamic. . . . Some of the shorter preludes are full of atmosphere. The brief Macbeth Prelude is particularly potent and the ballet music is both dramatic and rumbustious while I Masnadieri closes with a swooning cello solo (very nicely played here). . . ." -- Ivan March, Gramophone [on Vol 1]
"This treasure-trove is a comprehensive survey of all the purely orchestral music from Verdi’s operas… Edward Downes who conducts with passion and power, shows himself once again to be one of his country’s leading Verdians." -- The Times
Listen to the tracks at Amazon
