Posted by hmm... on December 29, 2002 at 13:25:28:
In Reply to: Night on Bald Mountain posted by Tim on December 29, 2002 at 12:31:25:
A lot of factors to take into consideration, all of which will eventually result in paralysis by analysis. But, just to indulge: both albums were recorded at different times (about 20 years apart) where the recording technology and the level of the musicians were completely different. Maazel's interpretation is going to be much different than Reiner's, even if the tempos are similar. The Cleveland Orchestra plays in a much much different style than Chicago. It's just one person's opinion on Amazon. If it was a well known music critic, you still don't have to agree with them. Having not heard the Chicago recording, I can't comment. But the Cleveland recording of "Bald Mountain" is very good and the "Pictures" following it is spectacular.