Best, Most Earth-Shattering "Pines of Rome" Suggestions

[Cato]

Greetings Respighi Ravers, Respecters, and Rodomontaders!   

Today for my Latin classes I played (in part) my 25-year old Telarc CD of The Pines of Rome with Louis Lane (No, not Superman's girlfriend, Louis Lane, who, I believe, was an asistant to George Szell) and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.

It is fine, but I was wondering if any of you have a favorite "scorched-earth, take-no-prisoners, not-even-bacteria-left-on-the-planet" interpretation of the last movement of the work, which you would recommend.

Many thanks!

Cato

[bhodges]

A great one--and inexpensive--is with Enrique Bátiz and the RPO on Naxos.  The sound engineering was by the legendary Brian Culverhouse, and is quite fine.  The other one I love, with sound not quite as good as the Naxos but still excellent, is with Muti and Philadelphia. 

--Bruce

[Scarpia]

There is a Reiner Chicago that is outstanding, in good sound for the era.  Others that stand out in my mind are the Maazel/Cleveland, recently released on Decca Legends,  the old Karajan/Philharmonia, from the Walter Legge era and the newer Maazel/Pittsburgh on Sony.


Now that I think about it, the one thing this site is missing is the stereotypical poster who violently insists that the best recording of everything is by Reiner.

[Gurn Blanston]

....Now that I think about it, the one thing this site is missing is the stereotypical poster who violently insists that the best recording of everything is by Reiner.

It's cyclical, we've had 'em, no doubt.

Thread duty:
I have the NYPO / Sinopoli. Probably hard to call wall-shaking, but very nicely played, IMO. 

[Cato]

Many thanks for the recommendations!

Some years ago the Toledo Symphony Orchestra played this work, and had a local drum and bugle corps with c. 75 members march into the hall as the Roman army for the final movement: they lined the aisles and a good number played marching tubas the size of howitzers! 

With that performance in my head, I need a really special performance! 

[Mr. Darcy]

I don't own many recordings of Pines, but I'll certainly second the Bátiz on Naxos as a solid recommendation. I'm also fond of Ormandy's luxurious take on Sony (not sure of the recording date--I have the Original Jacket Recordings). I've heard his (later?) RCA take and I prefer the Sony.

[david johnson]

There is a Reiner Chicago that is outstanding, in good sound for the era.  Others that stand out in my mind are the Maazel/Cleveland, recently released on Decca Legends,  the old Karajan/Philharmonia, from the Walter Legge era and the newer Maazel/Pittsburgh on Sony.


Now that I think about it, the one thing this site is missing is the stereotypical poster who violently insists that the best recording of everything is by Reiner.

yep, the reiner/cso is best!  the muti/philly is fine, too.

dj

[Grazioso]

I also vote for the Batiz Naxos recording, which is indeed earth-shattering--certainly some of the best engineering I've ever heard on an orchestral disc. Crank it up and take cover!

[stingo]

I very much enjoy the Batiz, but have recently acquired the fine set on Brilliant which is quite good, and has the Pines, Fountains, and Festivals and the Ancient Dances on 2 CDs. Muti/Philadelphia and Marriner/Academy of St. Martin in the Fields are the performers.

[Moldyoldie]

Just one word: Muti/Philadelphia!

[Scarpia]

Just one word: Muti/Philadelphia!

It's properly three words.  Muti Philadelphia bleh   

[techniquest]

Yup, go with the Batiz/RPO Naxos recording and you won't be disappointed.
Should also mention the live BBC National Orchestra of Wales / Tadaaki Otaka recording on Warner Classics; the finale has very well recorded organ chords along with all that brass, though these do drown out the tam-tam somewhat which is not so good.

[bhodges]

Others that stand out in my mind are the Maazel/Cleveland, recently released on Decca Legends...

And a huge "yes" to this one, which I forgot about.  It is one of Maazel's finest recordings ever, a real sonic tornado.

--Bruce