One of the Greatest Classical Offerings - Serious Music for the Serious LIstener

Reviewed by Rudolf Penner, 2008-05-17

This 1969 (some sources say 1967) recording, super-duped now in 5.1 audio and playable on any DVD player is a fabulous addition to the serious collector. DVD-Audio does make a difference. The disc can be played in stereo on DVD players.

The DVD video in which Ardeen Watts, a member of the Utah Symphony, presents a touching Eulogy of conductor Maurice Abravanel honours Abravanel as one of the greatest beings who ever lived. They later became neighbours.

This is a beautiful piece of music that handled by the Utah Symphony Orchestra is subtle and heroic. The vocal section is absolute and the players play with great emotion, diligence and sensitivity. The work is over 97 minutes long and totally transporting psychically and spiritually. Apparently Abravanel had prophesied that, "You cannot stop the Utah
Symphony," in days when it was at risk of folding.

After hearing this disc I want to switch to DVD-Audio for as many titles as possible.

Several extras including a highly-detailed explanation on how the audio was transferred to disk. Audiophiles would find this information invaluable. It was transferred to disc by a company called 5.1 Production Services.