Respighi: Pines of Rome, Fountains of Rome / Debussy: La Mer [Hybrid SACD]

1	La Mer, symphonic sketche
2	La Mer, symphonic sketche
3	La Mer, symphonic sketche
4	Fontane di Roma (The Foun
5	Fontane di Roma (The Foun
6	Fontane di Roma (The Foun
7	Fontane di Roma (The Foun
8	Pini di Roma (The Pines o
9	Pini di Roma (The Pines o
10	Pini di Roma (The Pines o
11	Pini di Roma (The Pines o
Respighi: Pines of Rome, Fountains of Rome / Debussy: La Mer [Hybrid SACD]
1.	La Mer, symphonic sketches (3) for orchestra, L. 109 25:17
	Composed by Claude Debussy
	Performed by Chicago Symphony Orchestra
	Conducted by Fritz Reiner
2.	Fontane di Roma (The Fountains of Rome), symphonic poem, P. 106 15:48
	Composed by Ottorino Respighi
	Performed by Chicago Symphony Orchestra
	Conducted by Fritz Reiner
3.	Pini di Roma (The Pines of Rome), symphonic poem, P. 141 21:09
	Composed by Ottorino Respighi
	Performed by Chicago Symphony Orchestra
	Conducted by Fritz Reiner

All Music Guide

While neither the most French "La Mer" nor the most Italian "Pines of Rome" and "Fountains of Rome," these are still staggeringly effective readings by Fritz Reiner and the Chicago Symphony. Recorded by Richard Mohr in 1959 and 1960, these performances are incredibly well played -- listen to the cellos' glorious tone in the big theme of the opening movement of "La Mer" or the brass' unsurpassed power in the closing movement of the "Pines of Rome" -- and unbelievably well conducted -- listen to the balances between force and weight in the Debussy and the gradations of muscle and nuance in the Respighi. While listeners looking for a more colorful, elegant, and refined "La Mer" or a more expressive, extravagant, and excessive "Pines" and "Fountains" might wish to look elsewhere, those who long to be blown away need look no further. And, of course, RCA's "Living Stereo" sound was stunning in its days and is still stupendous in this super audio reissue. James Leonard