Update on #113: Rossini's William Tell Overture

An additional recommended recording

While I’m at it making updates, I’m also elevating Claudio Abbado’s 1991 recording of the William Tell Overture with the Chamber Orchestra of Europe to the recommended category. While the first half of the overture, even the “storm”, comes across as too cool, laid back, and polished for my tastes, the “calling to the cows” and the finale’s headlong race to the finish are very well done indeed. Abbado was a great technician as a conductor, and what is impressive here is how everything flows together and how rough edges are smoothed out nicely, and meanwhile the finale maintains plentry of momentum and punch. The sound is very good too.

See you next time!