Reviewed by Steven Whitehead

It is December 1941 and the War will not be over before Christmas. In Italy it has been a time to remember Verdi in the 40th anniversary of his death while for the rest of the world the emphasis has been on the 150th anniversary of the death of Mozart. With Toscanini in exile the baton of Italy's greatest conductor has been passed to Victor De Sabata and the honour of conducting Italian Radio's Commemorative Ceremony For The 150th Anniversary Of The Death Of Mozart has fallen to him. The recording features not only some of the finest Italian soloists of the day but also the combined Italian Radio orchestras and choirs from Rome and Turin in the grand surroundings of the Basilica di Santa Maria degli Angeli in Rome. This recording documents a unique occasion in the history of Italian Radio but the sound quality is so poor that it will deter all but the most ardent listeners. Those who like to follow a score and compare the different approaches of the great conductors will undoubtedly get much from this CD. Those who want to listen to a good quality recording of Mozart's Requiem are advised to look elsewhere.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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