Posted by Barry Guerrero on May 15, 2002 at 00:02:54:
Wow! Not only is this a terrific new recording of "Pictures", but the "Bydlo" is fabulous - among the best ones I've ever heard on disc (I know, the world certainly doesn't need yet another new recording of it). It's out on the Philips label, and comes with a very decent "Night on Bald Mountain". VPO = Vienna Philharmonic. The conductor is Valery Gergiev, who is something of a Mussorgsky specialist (Boris). If you like lots of chimes and tam-tam (big orchestral gong) at the ending of, "The Great Geat of Kiev", this just may be your ticket. Recommended, but not essential if you already have lots of good recordings of this (I also like the Kubelik; Reiner; and Giulini ones - all with Chicago).
Barry Guerrero