Verdi: Requiem / Sutherland, Horne, Pavarotti, Talvela, Solti
If you value the drama and terror ofGiuseppe Verdi's sacred  masterpiece, you need to hear this. Solti's "Dies Irae" is  overwhelming, the drums pounding and the chorus sounding as if it's  writhing in hell's torments. What Solti's intense, operatic conception  lacks in spirituality it more than makes up for in the way it grips you  by the throat and never lets go. The solo quartet, with one exception,  is among the best assembled in the stereo era. Pavarotti shines, and  Talvela's authoritative basso profundo is a rock-solid anchor. Horne's  trademark register break can be a distraction at times, but she's  thrilling. With a more idiomatic soprano, this would have been an  unbeatable foursome, but Sutherland is sadly miscast here, most  damagingly in the "Libera me." Sonics were demonstration quality in  their day and are still competitive with the best. For a more  devotional approach,Giuliniis a good choice.  Vintage performances by Toscanini (RCA and Music & Arts) andSerafin on Pearl(the  latter with a true golden age vocal quartet) are desirable, as are  stereo versions byDaniel  Barenboim on TeldecandRobert  Shaw on Telarc.Solti's remake for RCAis  less attractive; you can't go wrong with this one.--Dan Davis