The main attraction here is the Verdi Requiem with the soprano solo sung by a very young (not quite 27) Jessye Norman. She sings with that huge organ of a voice that was just beginning to thrill the world back in 1972. It's not a natural fit for her voice. She makes all the high notes, but without a lot of room to spare at the top. For whatever reason, she doesn't sing the final two "Libera me" phrases with the chorus - a Davis quirk? Hers?Veasey was a fine singer and she blends well with Norman. Verdi isn't really her thing though. Craig sounds strong, if a little rusty (he was over 50 at the time). Ward sings beautifully, but is slightly off-mic. In fact, the chorus sounds slightly off-mic throughout the performance, especially during the Sanctus. An engineering failure? We'll never know. Davis leads a stirring, if somewhat slow performance.The sound is good though there are echoes of another performance in the background from time to time. The Wesendonck Lieder filler is worth the modest price of the set alone. Norman is in her element as is Boulez.Norman sings the Verdi Requiem even better for Muti a year or so later in a performance also available from Opera Depot.

Incomparable! Impeccable! A feast of Charles Craig!

We found this a very involving performance by all concerned. The microphones favour Jessye Norman’s lovely voice, making the other soloists sound a little distant. Still, all sing well in a work suited to their talents. There are many recordings available of Verdi’s Requiem but this full-blooded performance is one I shall return to more often than some of the more recent commercial offerings.

I was particularly interested in Jessye Norman's performance and I have no doubt I did the right choice.

GREAT and for me the Requiem Mass is very special !!!

On the whole this is an excellent recording marred only by the fact that Craig and Ward are a bit too far from the mics. The recording favours the two ladies. Very enjoyable though.

I was lucky to be at this performance in the Royal Albert Hall.Charles Craig and David Ward were the outstanding soloists of the night. Veasey as much as I admire her in many things (Dido and Cassandra) her Verdi always seemed to be underpowered,maybe a voice one size to small.Norman sang beautifully as you can hear but the voice sounds like a Mezzo but her grand manner really put me off on the night,and I do admit it clouds my judgement some what. Colin Davis conducts a good performance although never a fan. A very good performance not withstanding a few cliches here and there.

Having received the CD today , I sat down and listened to the whole thing. This is a very exciting account. Norman is wonderful and so is every one else. Sound wise it is pretty good. I only wish the microphone had been a bit closer to the two men. Still very enjoyable though to one who once saw all these singers live in their heyday.