This fine performance sounds better than ever in its latest remastering, and remains a Carmina Burana of choice, leagues ahead of Ozawa's dreary Berlin remake for Philips. True, the soloists aren't the best, with Evelyn Mandac touching in quieter moments (In trutina) but somewhat shrill otherwise, Milnes oddly wooden, and tenor Stanley Kolk, well, who cares about the single excruciating tenor solo anyway? Still, the performance thrives on Ozawa's energy, the vigor of the BSO, and the lusty, boisterous, unsubtle singing of the New England Conservatory Chorus (among whom was none other than CT.com's own Editor-in-Chief David Vernier). But the presence of my beloved partner in crime is not the reason why I still recommend this fine recording. It's a fresh, young-sounding version that hasn't dated a day, and it comes with complete texts and translations. Enjoy. [6/2/2004] --David Hurwitz, ClassicsToday.com
