Volume Three from Prague

 

I am beginning to feel this series of Rossini overtures is very fine, if not particularly outstanding.

The feature I enjoy most of these recordings is the upfront sonic orchestral placement. If conductor Christian Benda doesn't choose the most manic of tempos, there is still an exciting capturing of the instruments in its stead.

The aforementioned players are crisp and pert in Rossini's buoyant musical settings, with excellent woodwind solos across the board. The brass still seem relegated to a rear placement, but at least they are heard much better.

On the other hand, I sense a sameness across these performances. Much of this is on Rossini, for the composer definitely follows a musical blueprint for these overtures. Yet, in the right hands, these works will fly off the page in fine fashion. I am just not sure that is what is happening in this set so far.

Regardless, there is fine musicality and I have come around to the Prague Sinfonia's slimmed-down numbers in a slightly drier acoustic. All in all, fresh sounding Rossini is happily on hand.

A review from 2024

The best aspect I like about Naxos’ set of Rossini overture with Christian Benda and his Prague players is the upfront sonic placement of the orchestra. Even if Benda doesn’t choose the most manically-paced tempos, being at the arm of the conductor as a listener is exciting, and differentiates it from other recordings.

 

Otherwise, as with the others in this series, the third volume is a mix of well known overtures, and rarely recorded  ones. As with Rossini, these are all upbeat and perky, and the crisp, clean playing of the Prague Sinfonia fits well with the composers idiom.

Listen on YouTube

 

 

Works
Maometto II: Overture (11.15)
Italian in Algiers: Overture (8.01)
Cinderella: Overture (8.09)
Grand Overture 'Double Bass obbligato' (7.14)
Matilde of Shabran: Overture (9.30)
Bill of Matrimony: Overture (5.27)
Tancredi: Overture (6.06)

Performers
Prague Sinfonia Orchestra
Christian Benda, conductor

Label: Naxos
Year: 2013
Total Timing: 55.42

 

 

 

An attractive set of well-known and little-known overtures, even if I am getting the distinct feeling these do not sit with the very best.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Find more Rossini recordings HERE!