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| Barber's Adagio | 
 enlarge | Creators: Samuel Barber, Gustav Mahler, Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky, Ralph Vaughan Williams, Leonard Bernstein, New York Philharmonic, David Nadien
Label: Sony
Category: Music
List Price: $9.98
Buy New: $4.87
You Save: $5.11 (51%)
Buy New/Used from $3.55
Avg. Customer Rating:  (17 reviews)
Sales Rank: 20534
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 5 x 0.5
MPN: 38484
UPC: 074643848428
EAN: 0074643848428
ASIN: B0000025TX
Release Date: October 25, 1990
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
 Oscar Wilde plays Barber? July 11, 2005
11 out of 24 found this review helpful
Apparently, Thomas R. Brown is the only reviewer who has actually listened to this disc.
The performance of the Barber is not only the worst performance of the Adagio that I've ever heard; it's probably the worst performance of any piece by a major orchestra that I've ever heard, live or recorded. The complete lack of synchronization between the various string sections is embarrassing; the sloppy entrances are distracting and graceless. The orchestra sloshes from phrase to phrase like water in a bucket being carried over rough terrain. One wonders whether Bernstein was bothering to conduct at all, or was making everyone guess. This performance would have been unacceptable from my Youth Orchestra 25 years ago.
The other tracks are considerably better, but it's hard to make up for such a pathetic effort on the lead track.
 A Must Buy CD! August 21, 2002
14 out of 16 found this review helpful
If you've seen 'Platoon', and 'Lorenzel's Oil', repeatedly hearing the same traumatic music, and want to own it to your music library, this would be the definite CD to buy. A tiny bit slower than what's heard on the screen, but with more emotive sounds on the strings, the New York Phil under Bernstein's baton would surely put you to tears for sure. I claim this is one of the best recording of Barber's Adagio for Strings (lined with Lenny's performance with the LA Phil on DG).
Vaughn-William's Fantasia based on the music by Tallis is indeed haunting and beautiful, and Lenny's performance is highly stimulating, with the string ever so brilliantly played, undoubtly making one of the most acclaimed performaces. The 'Fantasia on Greensleeves' is beatifully played too.
Tchaikovsky's andante cantabile from his first string quartet is another emotive and wonderful adagio on the CD. Leo Tolsoy was so moved by the music, he was in tears. The same may happen to you with Bernstein and the ever melancholy strings.
Mahler's fourth movement from his fifth symphony is played very well tool. Although not as intricately played as the DG recording with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, this is still as touching as it gets.
Overall, I love this CD, with the ever emotion spilling Bernstein with the New York Phil strings. You should own it too if you love adagios. Lined with Karajan's "Adagio" Series, this CD won't disappoint you. Guaranteed!
Bernstein + Barber "Adagio" = Best July 1, 2002
15 out of 18 found this review helpful
I love Barber's "Adagio for Strings" -- the mood, the emotion, the pace. However, it is trounced by most beginning conductors. I like the slower paced (around 10 minutes) renditions. This performance is my favorite, but the transfer to CD is not the very best (the LP seemed better on my high-end system). I also like Bernstein with Los Angeles (the recording is better, but the performance is not quite as good). I wish this recording would be remastered with 20-bit or HDCD.
 Brilliant with a few less than brilliant moments June 29, 2001
9 out of 13 found this review helpful
My primary criticism of this CD has to do with the Adagio. The rhythmic integrity of this piece suffers at times in this rendering of Barber's familiar work. Because of the slow tempo and the lack of any wind instruments, this problem is all the more apparent. Approximately 6 minutes into the track, the strings seem to divide into warring factions (the upper vs the lower), led by two different conductors. One staunchly maintains the established tempo, while the other sallies forth into a would-be accelerando. The short-lived battle is ultimately resolved (one would hope in defference to the conductor), but not before the careful listener is left lamenting "what might have been."The two Vaughn Williams Fantasies are a different story. Both are superb. Mystical, haunting, inspiring -- such words come to mind as the notes unfold into the ear. A master of musical emotion, Vaughn Williams is paid a fitting tribute in these superior recordings. The Mahler and Tchaikovsky tracks are also quite good. However, in my opinion, these more traditionally romantic pieces are a mismatch for the Adagio and the Fantasies. I find this more true of the Tchaikovsky than of the Mahler. The Andante Cantible comes as a great disappointment to my ear after the Fantasies. Perhaps some other more contemporary (neo-romantic) composers should have been selected instead. One piece that comes to mind is the St. Paul Suite of Gustav Holst. I'm sure that there are any number of others that would have been more congruent with the works of Barber and Vaughn Williams.
Ralph Vaughan Williams: Knows.... February 3, 2001
11 out of 11 found this review helpful
Fantasia on a Theme of Thomas Tallis for me is the most hauntingly beautiful piece of Romantic music. There is a tension that draws you in while a crescendo ebbs and flows and washes over you. It is a very sensual experience to be ravished by the beauty of this piece. I suggest listening to it with eyes closed take those 18 or so minutes for your self and be loved by the masters that created, inspired and performed this. thank you!
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