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Joan Records

 

This disk is also available as disk one in Brilliant Classics’ "Strauss Gala" 5 CD box, which was eloquently reviewed on Musicweb in May of 2002 by Christopher Howell

Christopher traced the release originally to some LANius recordings dedicated to the Strauss family, of which two were issued (in then-Czechoslovakia) in 1980 and the third in 1989 (and described as AAD).

I have heard recent recordings by this orchestra and been impressed by the quality of the playing, particularly in what might be called their “home” repertoire, that is Dvořák and Smetana. All reviewers of this disk have found the performances to vary in quality; I found none of them to be more or less than capable, with quite good but not sensational sound. There is no Viennese lilt here, and some may prefer that, especially if they wanted just these particular selections on one disk. These are straightforward, on-the-beat performances, but not without charm.

The frequent appearance of this disk appears not to be related to its quality but to its apparently being available without payment of royalties. Consider that if you find it for sale at an extremely low cost, you will surely get your money’s worth.

Paul Shoemaker

 

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