Pavarotti vs Bartoli: Where's the Love?

It is interesting to see how most classical record companies always appear to be always taking a step forwards and backwards at the same time. While randomly listening to some music over Christmas, I happened to have Cecilia Bartoli’s “Maria” and the recent Luciano Pavarotti Best-Of “Pavarotti Forever” lying next to me.

“Pavarotti Forever”, on the one hand, is the perfect example of a quick cash-in. Sold as the “Ultimate Greatest Hits Collection from one of the true legends of music”, it offers two discs packed with fantastic music, but falls short both in terms of taking even the slightest risk (where’s that duet with Bono of U2?) and of presentation – a booklet is virtually non existent.

What a contrast with the Cecilia Bartoli album. The CD comes attached to a 150-page booklet with brilliant pictures and carefully arranged texts – a sheer treasure trove. The most astounding feat, though, is that both records were published by the same label, Decca. So while first signs of improvement are clearly visible, even “progressive” companies are still happy to sell their backcatalogue as lovelessly as though it were fast food.

By Tobias Fischer