I can also give high marks to this recording. I'm not a fan of the Chandos "sound" but this is very well recorded. The two singers do very well as does the band. Echoes for full strings is also nice to have - I do prefer the string quartet version because was written specifically for that and it's lean and very atmospheric in that form. But this is very nice as an adaptation.
And yes, they should record the full opera without cuts with this team and the additional singers. The Pye recording was wonderful to have in its day, but yes the singers left a bit to be desired but Herrmann's orchestra was excellent and the sound on the LPs was very good, as opposed to the CD release on Unicorn, which is mastered horribly as were all the Unicorn recordings with Herrmann and others.
I don't know this reviewer or the site, but he writes like a high schooler who read a few Wikipedia paragraphs. And I would completely disagree that it sounds nothing like Herrmann's film music - of course it sounds like Herrmann's film music, for heaven's sake.
I can also give high marks to this recording. I'm not a fan of the Chandos "sound" but this is very well recorded. The two singers do very well as does the band. Echoes for full strings is also nice to have - I do prefer the string quartet version because was written specifically for that and it's lean and very atmospheric in that form. But this is very nice as an adaptation.
And yes, they should record the full opera without cuts with this team and the additional singers. The Pye recording was wonderful to have in its day, but yes the singers left a bit to be desired but Herrmann's orchestra was excellent and the sound on the LPs was very good, as opposed to the CD release on Unicorn, which is mastered horribly as were all the Unicorn recordings with Herrmann and others.
There are two recordings of the full opera, so I welcomed a suite. I hold out hope that the Minnesota Opera someday releases its filmed production. During lockdown I paid $10 to finally see that production from like 2011. It’s not a great opera by any means as there really isn’t much action or drama. But it’s really important because of its composer and it was a thrill to see.
Sometime back in the '70s, I found the 4-LP Unicorn album conducted by Herrmann, in a shop somewhere in Orange County (Calif.) Then, in the early '80s when I was living in Seattle (Kirkland, actually -- think Costco) I learned the Portland Opera Co. had presented the entire piece, too late for me to get down to see it. Major bummer.
Sometime back in the '70s, I found the 4-LP Unicorn album conducted by Herrmann, in a shop somewhere in Orange County (Calif.) Then, in the early '80s when I was living in Seattle (Kirkland, actually -- think Costco) I learned the Portland Opera Co. had presented the entire piece, too late for me to get down to see it. Major bummer.
You missed less than you think, as I recall, because though this production was certainly historically important, it was significantly pared down. The superlative Minnesota production was the first full length presentation.
I've been listening to my copy and enjoying I very much. The conductor, Mario Venzago, appears to be familiar with Herrmann's work: there are times when his interpretation recalls CITIZEN KANE or another of Herrmann's earlier film works. The quotes in the score from GHOST AND MRS. MUIR and JANE EYRE are clear as they've always been. The singers are very good (to my ears) which has been a drawback in earlier recordings.
On the technical side the orchestra is well-served by the engineers which isn't always the case with Chandos. Everything is clear and detailed which allows for all of Herrmann's detailed orchestrations to shine. The singers are strong and their excellent diction allows the listener to follow along without needing the libretto on hand. I've yet to compare with the 5.1 mix on the SACD channels but I expect that will only improve things.
The choices that went into the suite are intelligent and well-considered. The Prologue, Acts One and Four are nearly complete. Essentially you get all the best moments and all of the most expressive music even though only the two lead characters are present. If you haven't heard the opera or haven't been able to track down one of the earlier releases I believe you'll be very happy with this recording. Perhaps it will lead to a complete recording in the future.
