Miraculous Mandarin

This is a good DVD recording of the Bartok works, but the visual tracks consist only of titles and some general information - no orchestra can be seen. Ok if all you want is a superior recording.

The sound is great and the performance is musically of highest quality; however, I had expected to have a video of the performance with the sound recording. I was very disappointed when the player just had a static picture of the cover. It would have been better if the posting for the DVD had said "Audio Only."

I have always had my doubts about The Miraculous Mandarin. The story is particularly unpleasant, and the unpleasantness is matched by much of the music. However, if you like this sort of thing, this SACD is highly recommendable. The performance, with Marin Alsop conducting (one of my favorite present day conductors) is execllent. The Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and the recording are outstanding. And, at this price, not to be missed.

The first Miraculous Mandarin I heard on CD was Antal Dorati's with the Detroit Sympony Orchestra on Decca. It took me a while to enjoy it as I bought the disc not knowing the work. This was 35 or so years ago. Since then, I've heard the Pierre Boulez version (very good) as well as a Simon Rattle (also very good) as well as a Seiji Ozawa version. The Ozawa version is lacking due to a poor recording. I bought the Alsop version after seeing reviews and in the hope that it would be a sonic spectacular. Unfortunately this version does not deliver. It is unexciting!!, and this work needs contrast and dynamism.