<<  -- 3 --  David Wilkins    QUITE LOVELY

Ray Bauwens is bound to suffer in any comparison with the wonder of Nicolai Gedda on the RCA set but there is, along with moments of strain, an Italianate freshness about his voice [listen -- CD2 track 5, 0:03-1:04]. The National Symphony of the Ukraine sound as if they are having a great time discovering this music and any potential disappointment that Naxos didn't entrust the task to Marin Alsop and either the Scottish or Bournemouth orchestra is belied by this degree of passion from Gil Rose [listen -- CD2 track 14, 2:18-3:21]

Of course, to have Steber, Resnik, Gedda with Mitropoulos on RCA is to butter your toast into the corners but, for less than ten pounds and, more especially, for the pleasures of the score -- this is quite lovely too [listen -- CD2 track 19, 0:59-2:39].

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