Eiji Oue - Respighi: Belkis, Queen Of Sheba Suite, Pines Of Rome

Grammy-nominated: Best Engineered Album, Classical

200-gram vinyl pressing by Quality Record Pressings!

Beautiful gatefold jacket

Selected by SoundStage!.com as Best Audiophile Recording, 2001

"Que plays each piece to the hilt; I cannot imagine more precise, more lovingly conducted performances. As for the recording, I'm running out of superlatives — it is brilliant and weighty, with tremendous undistorted dynamics." — Peter Aczel, The Audio Critic

"Respighi has not sounded like this on disc since — well, let's say since never before ... Of the seven Que/Minnesota CDs I know, this is easily the grandest, musically as well as sonically." — Roger Dettmer, Classical CD Reviews

"Dazzling orchestral colors," is one one way to describe the music of Ottorino Respighi. "Belkis, Queen of Sheba" was conceived as an evening-long ballet with singing whose lavishness has kept it from view since its La Scala premiere. This is only the second recording of a suite prepared by the composer — for the first time with the tenor solo (sung by Chad Shelton), and with the movements in the correct order. The music's oriental perfumes and barbaric splendor guarantee the enthusiasm of anyone who hears it. Respighi's greatest hit "The Pines of Rome" (with extra brasses and organ!) bring a dazzling conclusion to this unusual, inventive program.

Musicians:
Chad Shelton, tenor (Orgiastic Dance)
Minnesota Orchestra
Eiji Oue