[.ca] 1812 Ovt/Wellingtons Victory

From Amazon.co.uk:
This disc caused quite a stir when first issued in the early 1960s. With a panoply of infantry in the Beethoven, and bells and cannon in the Tchaikovsky, Dorati goes for maximum impact: just what both pieces need when heard outside the concert hall or arena. Wellington's Victory has often been labelled Beethoven's worst major work--pointlessly if you consider it was written as a quick commission for a new line of mechanical instrument! Take it with a fair pinch of salt and enjoy. 1812 is a better work than many people, including Tchaikovsky, would give it credit for. Again, it's not profound, nor was it meant to be. It sounds fabulous in this latest transfer--40 years just melt away as you listen. The Minneapolis SO is not in the "super league" of US orchestras, but they rise to the occasion as Dorati encourages them to do. You also get a hard and fast Capriccio Italen, and two discussions on how the sessions for the main works were set up. As the results amply demonstrate, it's a slice of recording history to treasure. --Richard Whitehouse

Amazon.com essential recording:
It's hard to believe that this, the BEST EVER 1812 Overture was not only recorded in the 1950s, but it still sounds better than any other version. This last fact is a tribute to the remastering expertise of producer Wilma Cozart Fine, and a still greater tribute to her late husband, a recording genius, for leaving her with such fantastic quality original tapes to work with. If you want real cannon, the sound of a zillion bells, and a really sensational brass band, all perfectly blended together to produce the ultimate in audio spectacle, then baby this one's for you. Wellington is, if anything, even noisier--though a lot less valuable musically. Still, it's the only logical coupling, and every single cannon blast and musket shot comes over with thrilling immediacy. What a disc! --David Hurwitz

Chronique amazon.fr:
Voilà certainement un des disques les plus étonnants de toute l'histoire. Enregistré par les ingénieurs de Mercury, cette Ouverture 1812 est dirigée avec l'engouement et la fougue d'Antal Dorati. Ajoutons à cela l'usage d'un véritable canon, de carillon et de mousquets, et l'on obtient un souffle impressionnant. Ce disque aux allures guerrières est tout simplement historique, tant par sa rigueur musicale que par sa réalisation digne des plus grands péplums. Ce fut une gageure de "donner du canon" tout en respectant la précision de la partition. --Marc Aigneaux

Absolutely incredible!:
This classic, enduring reading of the Festival Overture '1812' and 'Wellington's Victory' is stunning, meticulously researched, and yes, extremely LOUD! The music is powerful, well-performed, and truly captures the spirit of all three pieces. In the end, however, the stars of the show are the Bells of the Laura Spelman Rockefeller Memorial Carillon and, of course, the artillery and muskets as authentically realized in both battle pieces. The producers of this landmark LP and disc went as far as to use original, extant artillery pieces that date from the periods which inspired both '1812' and 'Wellington's Victory.' The recordings of the artillery are, in a word, INCREDIBLE! Unlike many versions of '1812,' where the cannons can sound underpowered (Naxos with Leaper) or way too pristine (Telarc with Kunzel), the Mercury engineers capture them in their authentic glory, holding nothing back. The Bells of the Laura Spelman Rockefeller Memorial Carillon, however, totally steal the show at the end of '1812,' overwhelming the Minneapolis (now Minnesota) Symphony Orchestra, the University of Minnesota Brass Band, and the cannon itself, in a glorious, triumphant storm of sound. Oh, by the way, the reading of the Capriccio Italien is excellent as well ;). Deems Taylor's commentary is informative and very interesting, and gives an added appreciation for this disc when one considers the extremes to which performers, producers, and engineers went to put us, the lucky listeners, on the 'front line,' as it were. The winner of no less than TWO Penguin Guide Rosette Awards, this Mercury disc is truly the greatest of the greatest of them all. You absolutely do not want to miss this one!

excellent:
This CD contains the most succesful performances of the famous battle musics. Especially 1812 Overture is amazing, terrific, impressive. In this recording, they were used an original French Cannon made in 1770's and this cannon was used by Frenchs in 1812 war. And, (wowww!) what majestic, gorgeous sound of Bells! And also, Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra is very good, especially brass section, even so they were played with Minnesota University Band (because of original version calls brass band) And there is a brilliant work between two terrific battle musics, this is one of the best performances of "Capriccio italien" recorded with London Symphony Orchestra. And then, there is a battle music again scored for 2 cannons, muskets (or rattles) and large orchestra including 6 trumpets, side drums and tenor drums more than 5... This work divided into 2 parts. The first movement is the battle between Napoleon - Frenchs and Sir Arthur Wellesly - Englishs. And later, in 2nd movement, there is a victory symphony tells that the victory of English. Also, Beethoven used the English National Anthem as the 2nd theme of work. Also, there are commentaries of Deems Taylor (you'll also remember from Walt Disney's Fantasia). The quality of sound is excellent. In other words: this is essential, and a must have for any classical music lovers. Highly recommended.

Antal Dorati in his best:
This recording is another file treasure of every lover classical music. This achievement since his first release in 1958 became in a cult recording. I never had it in vynil record, but I acquired since his release in CD. The epical approach given by Dorati and the commitment and histamina offered by the 120 musicians of The Minneapolis Orchestra, is now part of a legend. The sound gotten by Mercury Records made a landmark in the recording story. Dorati literally took this well known piece and carried to cosmical level. I remeber a very interesting commentary of Glenn Gould about this solemn overture. He stated this score contained folk melodies and even religious hymns. Obviously, the celebration over the French Army in 1812, let you establish a clear similitude between it and the Marselleise hymn, which makes the second national hymn in Russia. Nowadadays this epic sense has lost. We only have the knowledge but we lack the experience. In the ancient times it made history: but today we only study and analyze it. Today we are more civilizated, but the achievements made under this new approach do not look like so shocking. That is what it could explain why we watch all this glorious generation of past conductors as if they were from other world, and we admire in the same way that we do with the great painters from the past. We go to the musseum , we feel its huge expressive force and that sensation dissapears when we leave the hall. What a pitty! In mythological terms, we have reduced Dyonisius to ashes and we have celebrated just the apollinean sound. Vow by the Minneapolis orchestra , and a special ackonowledgement to the percussionists. Buy this one and you will be always eternally awarded.

Simply Brilliant:
This recording is the first classical album to ever win a Gold Record. And deservedly so! The Minneapolis Symphony (now Minnesota Orchestra) sound is perfectly balanced and Dorati had the guts to put it all to the test. Yes, you can argue that the carillons were added later, but these days, is that even a concern? Heck, I'd also commend them for being way ahead of their time in compositing the carillons into the mix in a spectacular way. Bravo to the Orchestra, Dorati, and to the University of Minnesota Brass Band!

Great sound excellent performance:
I have listened to a few other recordings. None of them are comparable to this. This is undoubtedly the best recording and performance as far as I can tell. The cannon sound teriffic and you can feel the room shaking, wall destroying firing power. The bell ringing with absolute clarity and I am totally amazed. One can almost point them out one by one. It's that good! Of course, the commentary following the first piece is quite interesting. It explains how the crews record the sound of cannon and the bells. So, if you are looking for good recording and great arrangement, look no further. This is the answer to your prayer!

• 1812 Festival Overture, Op.49 (Original Scoring)
• 1812 Festival Overture, Op.49: Commentary By Deems Taylor
• Capriccio Italien, Op.45
• Wellington's Victory ('The Battle Of Vitoria'), Op. 91: First Part: Battle
• Wellington's Victory ('The Battle Of Vitoria'), Op. 91: Second Part: Victory Symphony
• Wellington's Victory ('The Battle Of Vitoria'), Op. 91: Commentary by Deems Taylor