Eugene Ormandy and the Philadelphia Orchestra – Verdi: Messa da Requiem

This is an older recording, but still my favorite version. Typical 1960’s era performance, but all of the soloists are very good, and everything just blends together nicely. Some reviews say that it lacks passion, but I tend to feel that it has an understated elegance to it. I am a fan of Ormandy’s interpretations anyway, so you can take that into account.

[I recently purchased a Reiner / Vienna Philharmonic record with Leotyne Price but have not listened to it yet, so not sure if it will be comparable. It is of similar vintage, so we will see…]