| Review by DSD August 21, 2005 (6 of 9 found this review helpful)
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Performance:  Sonics:  |
I am so thrilled Deutsche Grammophon released Russo’s Three Pieces for Blues Band & Orchestra on SACD as this is my favorite work of all time having owned it since it first appeared on LP in 1973! Then on 8 Track Cartridge, 4 Track 7 ½ ips Reel to Reel tape, once again on LP with a better turntable, on CD and now on SACD. This recording has never been out of my collection over the last 32 years.
This is by far the best sounding version of this recording ever! The closest was the 4 Track 7 ½ ips Reel to Reel but it didn’t include “Street Music” I had no idea the master tape was this good, this totally smokes all my previous versions! The realism is uncanny, especially considering that it is multi-mic'ed.
Seiji Ozawa commissioned William Russo to write the “Three Pieces for Blues Band and Orchestra” after hearing the Seigel-Schwall Band in a Berlin bar while on tour with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. He chose William Russo based on the score of Russo’s Symphony No. 2 “The Titans” which still has never been recorded, I for one would buy it in an instant!
The Three pieces for Blues Band and Orchestra is a very exciting piece combining the Seigel-Schwall blues band with full symphony orchestra forces. For me the forces mesh perfectly and the climaxes offer full body goose bumps.
The Street Music was a follow-up Concerto for Harmonica and Orchestra and is with only Corky Seigel, again some excellent playing and a great “blues” concerto.
The Gershwin American In Paris is an excellent performance though not among the very best.
I highly recommend this SACD for both the music and the sound quality,
Happy listening,
Teresa
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