Even if you've already heard enough excellent recordings of Don Quixote or Don Juan, this RCA Living Stereo coupling with
Fritz Reiner leading the
Chicago Symphony Orchestra is highly recommended. Setting aside the Chicago's superlative musicianship and RCA's staggering sound, the sheer authority of
Reiner's technically impeccable conducting all by itself would be enough to make the difference.
Reiner truly believes in
Strauss' music, and his almost shockingly confident direction is palpable. And while other cello soloists with more star power have taken on the role of Quixote, none have played it with more conviction. Interestingly,
Reiner used different orchestral set-ups for each piece. In the 1954 Don Juan,
Reiner divided the violins with the firsts on the left and the seconds on the right. In the 1959 Don Quixote, he adopted the modern manner of placing all the violins on the left. It is merely one sign of the excellence of RCA's Living Stereo sound that this change is immediately apparent.