Rudolf Kempe

1. Prodaná nevesta (The Bartered Bride), opera, JB 1:100 Overture
Composed by Bedrich Smetana
Performed by Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Conducted by Rudolf Kempe

2. Prodaná nevesta (The Bartered Bride), opera, JB 1:100 Polka (Act I)
Composed by Bedrich Smetana
Performed by Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Conducted by Rudolf Kempe

3. Prodaná nevesta (The Bartered Bride), opera, JB 1:100 Furiant (Act II)
Composed by Bedrich Smetana
Performed by Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Conducted by Rudolf Kempe

4. Prodaná nevesta (The Bartered Bride), opera, JB 1:100 Dance Of The Comedians (Act III)
Composed by Bedrich Smetana
Performed by Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Conducted by Rudolf Kempe

5. Gold und Silber, waltz for orchestra, Op 79
Composed by Franz Lehar
Performed by Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra Conducted by Rudolf Kempe

6. Sphärenklänge Waltzes for orchestra, Op 235
Composed by Josef Strauss
Performed by Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra Conducted by Rudolf Kempe

7. Till Eulenspiegels lustige Streiche (Till Eulenspiegel's Merry Pranks), tone poem for orchestra, Op. 28
Composed by Richard Strauss
Performed by Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra Conducted by Rudolf Kempe

8. Symphony No. 104 in D major ("London"), H. 1/104
Composed by Franz Joseph Haydn
Performed by London Philharmonia Orchestra Conducted by Rudolf Kempe

9. Overture to Oberon
Composed by Carl Maria von Weber
Performed by Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra Conducted by Rudolf Kempe

10. Hänsel und Gretel, opera Overture
Composed by Engelbert Humperdinck
Performed by Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Conducted by Rudolf Kempe

11. Hänsel und Gretel, opera The Witch's Ride
Composed by Engelbert Humperdinck
Performed by Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Conducted by Rudolf Kempe

12. Hänsel und Gretel, opera The Gingerbread House
Composed by Engelbert Humperdinck
Performed by Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Conducted by Rudolf Kempe

13. Hänsel und Gretel, opera The Witch's Waltz
Composed by Engelbert Humperdinck
Performed by Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Conducted by Rudolf Kempe

14. Hänsel und Gretel, opera Dream Pantomine
Composed by Engelbert Humperdinck
Performed by Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Conducted by Rudolf Kempe

15. Don Quixote, fantastic variations for cello & orchestra, Op. 35 I: Introduction (Don Quixote Sinks Into Madness)
Composed by Richard Strauss
Performed by Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra with Paul Tortelier , Siegfried Borries , Giusto Cappone
Conducted by Rudolf Kempe

16. Don Quixote, fantastic variations for cello & orchestra, Op. 35 II: Theme (Don Quixote And Sancho Panza)
Composed by Richard Strauss
Performed by Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra with Paul Tortelier , Siegfried Borries , Giusto Cappone
Conducted by Rudolf Kempe

17. Don Quixote, fantastic variations for cello & orchestra, Op. 35 III: Variation I (The Adventure With The Windmills)
Composed by Richard Strauss
Performed by Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra with Paul Tortelier , Siegfried Borries , Giusto Cappone
Conducted by Rudolf Kempe

18. Don Quixote, fantastic variations for cello & orchestra, Op. 35 IV: Variation II (The Battle With The Sheep)
Composed by Richard Strauss
Performed by Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra with Paul Tortelier , Siegfried Borries , Giusto Cappone
Conducted by Rudolf Kempe

19. Don Quixote, fantastic variations for cello & orchestra, Op. 35 V: Variation III (Discourse Between Knight And Squire)
Composed by Richard Strauss
Performed by Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra with Paul Tortelier , Siegfried Borries , Giusto Cappone
Conducted by Rudolf Kempe

20. Don Quixote, fantastic variations for cello & orchestra, Op. 35 VI: Variation IV (The Adventure With The Pilgrims)
Composed by Richard Strauss
Performed by Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra with Paul Tortelier , Siegfried Borries , Giusto Cappone
Conducted by Rudolf Kempe

21. Don Quixote, fantastic variations for cello & orchestra, Op. 35 VII: Variation V (The Knight's Vigil)
Composed by Richard Strauss
Performed by Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra with Paul Tortelier , Siegfried Borries , Giusto Cappone
Conducted by Rudolf Kempe

22. Don Quixote, fantastic variations for cello & orchestra, Op. 35 VIII: Variation VI (The Meeting With Dulcinea)
Composed by Richard Strauss
Performed by Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra with Paul Tortelier , Siegfried Borries , Giusto Cappone
Conducted by Rudolf Kempe

23. Don Quixote, fantastic variations for cello & orchestra, Op. 35 IX: Variation VII (The Ride Through The Air)
Composed by Richard Strauss
Performed by Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra with Paul Tortelier , Siegfried Borries , Giusto Cappone
Conducted by Rudolf Kempe

24. Don Quixote, fantastic variations for cello & orchestra, Op. 35 X: Variation VIII (The Voyage In The Enchanted Boat)
Composed by Richard Strauss
Performed by Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra with Paul Tortelier , Siegfried Borries , Giusto Cappone
Conducted by Rudolf Kempe

25. Don Quixote, fantastic variations for cello & orchestra, Op. 35 XI: Variation IX (The Combat With The Two Magicians)
Composed by Richard Strauss
Performed by Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra with Paul Tortelier , Siegfried Borries , Giusto Cappone
Conducted by Rudolf Kempe

26. Don Quixote, fantastic variations for cello & orchestra, Op. 35 XII: Variation X (The Defeat Of Don Quixote)
Composed by Richard Strauss
Performed by Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra with Paul Tortelier , Siegfried Borries , Giusto Cappone
Conducted by Rudolf Kempe

27. Don Quixote, fantastic variations for cello & orchestra, Op. 35 XIII: Finale
Composed by Richard Strauss
Performed by Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra with Paul Tortelier , Siegfried Borries , Giusto Cappone
Conducted by Rudolf Kempe

Rudolf Kempe,Franz Joseph Haydn,Engelbert Humperdinck,Franz Lehar,Bedrich Smetana,Josef Strauss,Richard Strauss,Carl Maria von Weber,Rudolf Kempe,Berliner Philharmoniker,Philharmonia Orchestra of London,Royal Philharmonic Orchestra,Wiener Philharmoniker,Giusto Cappone,Siegfried Borries,Angel Records,Cello Concerto,Classical,Classical Music,Classical Period Symphony,Concerto,Czech Romantic Opera,German/Austrian Romantic Opera,Opera,Orchestral,Romantic Overture for Orchestra,Romantic Tone Poem/Symphonic Poem for Orchestra,Symphonic,Waltz for Orchestra

Average customer rating: Highest Recommendation Possible Great Music At Any Price!

Wagner: Tristan und Isolde/Parsifal/Die Meistersinger Von Nürnberg/Lohengrin/Tannhäuser Manufacturer: Seraphim ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Wagner | Wagner, Richard | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra | ( V ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music CDs Under $7 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music 4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Wagner: Overtures & Preludes Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto Op35; Brahms: Violin Concerto in D Op77 The Best Of Wagner Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade; Capriccio Espagnol; Russian Easter Overture Beethoven: Piano Sonatas 8, 9, 10, 13 & 14 ASIN: B000000UW7 Release Date: 1995-10-17

Tracks:

1. Tristan Und Isolde: Prelude and Liebestod
2. Parsifal: Prelude to Act I
3. Parsifal: Good Friday Music
4. Die Meistersinger Von Nurnberg: Prelude to Act III
5. Lohengrin: Prelude to Act I
6. Tannhauser: Overture

Customer Reviews:

Highest Recommendation Possible.......2007-02-04

I have been ravenously studying classical music for about the last two years non stop. It has been a fantastic voyage. Out of everything by everyone, to me, this is among the very best CDs. The music is beautiful, mighty and majestic. On top of that, the CD is very inexpensive, considering it's quality.

Great Music At Any Price!.......2004-03-14

The original EMI Seraphim budget CD line has to be the greatest value for the money in the history of music. For half the price of other so-called budget lines, including the new version of EMI Seraphim and the Sony Essential Classics series, you get first-rate performances from the golden age of stereo by some of the greatest conductors of the century. On this particular title you get brilliant Wagner performances by Rudolf Kempe and Sir Adrian Boult. This was my first disc of Wagner Orchestral Music, and I liked it so much that I eventually upgraded in order to get more terrific Wagner performances by Kempe and Boult (see my reviews). You see, Boult has a two-disc mid-priced set collecting his Wagner recordings on EMI, while Kempe has two full-priced discs on the Testament label, which licensed his EMI recordings. Granted, most will not want to pay as much as I did for their Wagner, and if you don't, just buy this title with the loose change in your pocket.

Average customer rating: THIS RECORDING DESERVES TO BE CONSIDERED ONE OF THE GREATEST OF THE 20TH CENTURY Brilliant dark meanderings Only one nit to pick... THE REAL THING A beloved reading, but for me there are drawbacks

Wagner: Lohengrin Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Wagner | Wagner, Richard | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra | ( V ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Classical | Box Sets | Stores | Music Blowout Box Sets | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 20% Off | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Wagner, Richard | ( W ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra | ( V ) | Performers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Similar Items: Wagner - Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg / Kollo · Donath · Adam · G. Evans · Schreier · Hesse· Riderbusch · Karajan Wagner: Tristan und Isolde Wagner: Der fliegende Holländer Tannhauser (Slipcase) Tristan Und Isolde ASIN: B00004VVZQ Release Date: 2000-08-15

Tracks:

1. Prld - VPO/Rudolf Kempe
2. Act One, Scene One: Hort! Grafen, Edle, Freie Von Brabant! - Otto Wiener/Chor of the Vienna State Opr/Richard Rossmayer/Gottlob Frick
3. Act One, Scene One: Dank, Konig, Dir, Dass Du Zu Richten Kamst! - Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau/Chor Of The Vienna State Opr/Richard Rossmayer
4. Act One, Scene One: Welch Furchterliche Klage Sprichst Du Aus! - Gottlob Frick/Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau/Otto Wiener/Chor Of The Vienna State Opr/Richard Rossmayer
5. Act One, Scene Two: Seht Hin! Sie Naht, Die Hart Beklagte! - Chor Of The Vienna State Opr/Richard Rossmayer/Gottlob Frick/Elisabeth Grummer
6. Act One, Scene Two: Einsam In Truben Tagen - Chor Of The Vienna State Opr/Richard Rossmayer/Gottlob Frick/Elisabeth Grummer
7. Act One, Scene Two: Friedrich, Du Ehrenwerter Mann - Gottlob Frick/Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau/Chor Of The Vienna State Opr/Richard Rossmayer...
8. Act One, Scene Two: Des Ritters Will Ich Wahren - Elisabeth Grummer/Chor Of The Vienna State Opr/Richard Rossmayer/Gottlob Frick
9. Act One, Scene Two: Wer Hier Im Gotteskampf Zu Streiten Kam/Scene Three: Gegrusst! Sei Gegrusst... - Otto Wiener/Chor Of The Vienna State Opr/Richard Rossmayer/Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau...
10. Act One, Scene Three: Nun Sei Bedankt, Mein Lieber Schwan! - Jess Thomas/Chor Of The Vienna State Opr/Richard Rossmayer
11. Act One, Scene Three: Heil, Konig Heinrich! - Jess Thomas/Gottlob Frick/Elisabeth Grummer
12. Act One, Scene Three: Wenn Ich Im Kampfe Fur Dich Siege - Jess Thomas/Elisabeth Grummer/Chor Of The Vienna State Opr/Richard Rossmayer
13. Act One, Scene Three: Nun Hort! Euch, Volk Und Edlen, Mach' Ich Kund - Jess Thomas/Chor Of The Vienna State Opr/Richard Rossmayer/Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau/Gottlob Frick
14. Act One, Scene Three: Nun Horet Mich Und Achtet Wohl - Otto Wiener/Chor Of The Vienna State Opr/Richard Rossmayer/Jess Thomas/Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau
15. Act One, Scene Three: Mein Herr Und Gott, Nun Ruf' Ich Dich - Gottlob Frick/Elisabeth Grummer/Jess Thomas/Christa Ludwig/Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau...
16. Act One, Scene Three: Durch Gottes Sieg Ist Jetzt Dein Leben Mein - Jess Thomas/Chor Of The Vienna State Opr/Richard Rossmayer/Gottlob Frick/Elisabeth Grummer...
17. Act Two, Scene One: Intro - VPO/Rudolf Kempe
18. Act Two, Scene One: Erhebe Dich, Genossin Meiner Schmach! - Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau/Christa Ludwig

Tracks:

1. Act Two, Scene One: Was Macht Dich In So Wilder Klage Doch Vergehn? - Christa Ludwig/Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau
2. Act Two, Scene One: Du Wilde Seherin! Wie Willst Du Doch - Christa Ludwig/Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau
3. Act Two, Scene One: Der Rache Werk Sei Nun Beschworen - Christa Ludwig/Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau
4. Act Two, Scene Two: Euch Luften, Die Mein Klagen - Elisabeth Grummer/Christa Ludwig/Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau
5. Act Two, Scene Two: Elsa!... Wer Ruft? - Christa Ludwig/Elisabeth Grummer
6. Act Two, Scene Two: Entweihte Gotter! Helft Jetzt Meiner Rache! - Christa Ludwig
7. Act Two, Scene Two: Ortud, Wo Bist Du? - Elisabeth Grummer/Christa Ludwig
8. Act Two, Scene Two: Du Armste Kannst Wohl Nie Ermessen - Elisabeth Grummer/Christa Ludwig
9. Act Two, Scene Two: So Zieht Das Unheil In Dies Haus! - Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau
10. Act Two, Scene Three: (Morning Song)/In Fruh'n Versammelt Uns Der Ruf - Chor Of The Vienna State Opr/Richard Rossmayer
11. Act Two, Scene Three: Des Konigs Wort Und Will' Tu' Ich Euch Kund - Otto Wiener/Chor Of The Vienna State Opr/Richard Rossmayer
12. Act Two, Scene Three: Nun Hort, Dem Lande Will Er Uns Entfuhren! - Chor Of The Vienna State Opr/Richard Rossmayer/Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau
13. Act Two, Scene Four: (Procession)/Gesegnet Soll Sie Schreiten - Chor Of The Vienna State Opr/Richard Rossmayer
14. Act Two, Scene Four: Zuruck, Elsa! Nicht Langer Will Ich Dulden - Christa Ludwig/Chor Of The Vienna State Opr/Richard Rossmayer/Elisabeth Grummer
15. Act Two, Scene Five: Heil! Heil Dem Konig! - Chor Of The Vienna State Opr/Richard Rossmayer/Gottlob Frick/Elisabeth Grummer/Jess Thomas
16. Act Two, Scene Five: O Konig! Trugbetorte Fursten! - Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau/Gottlob Frick/Chor Of The Vienna State Opr/Richard Rossmayer/Jess Thomas
17. Act Two, Scene Five: Welch Ein Geheimnis Muss Der Held Bewahren? - Chor Of The Vienna State Opr/Richard Rossmayer/Gottlob Frick/Christa Ludwig/Dietrich Fischer...
18. Act Two, Scene Five: Mein Held! Entgegne Kuhn Dem Ungetreuen! - Gottlob Frick/Chor Of The Vienna State Opr/Richard Rossmayer/Jess Thomas/Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau...
19. Act Two, Scene Five: In Deiner Hand, In Deiner Treu' - Jess Thomas/Elisabeth Grummer/Chor Of The Vienna State Opr/Richard Rossmayer

Tracks:

1. Act Three: Prld - VPO/Rudolf Kempe
2. Act Three, Scene One: Treulich Gefuhrt Ziehet Dahin - Chor Of The Vienna State Opr/Richard Rossmayer
3. Act Three, Scene Two: Das Susse Lied Verhallt; Wir Sind Allein - Jess Thomas/Elisabeth Grummer
4. Act Three, Scene Two: Wie Hehr Erkenn' Ich Unsrer Liebe Wesen! - Jess Thomas/Elisabeth Grummer
5. Act Three, Scene Two: Atmest Du Nicht Mit Mir Die Sussen Dufte? - Jess Thomas
6. Act Three, Scene Two: Ach! Konnt' Ich Deiner Wert Erscheinen - Elisabeth Grummer/Jess Thomas
7. Act Three, Scene Two: Hochstes Vertraun Hast Du Mir Schon Zu Danken - Jess Thomas
8. Act Three, Scene Two: Hilf Gott, Was Muss Ich Horen! - Elisabeth Grummer/Jess Thomas
9. Act Three, Scene Two: Hortest Du Nichts? - Elisabeth Grummer/Jess Thomas
10. Act Three, Scene Two: Tragt Den Erschlagnen Vor Des Konigs Gericht! - Jess Thomas
11. Act Three, Scene Three: (Sunrise)/Heil Konig Heinrich! - VPO/Rudolf Kempe
12. Act Three, Scene Three: Was Bringen Die? Was Tun Sie Kund? - Chor Of The Vienna State Opr/Richard Rossmayer/Gottlob Frick
13. Act Three, Scene Three: Mein Herr Und Konig, Lass Dir Melden - Jess Thomas/Gottlob Frick/Chor Of The Vienna State Opr/Richard Rossmayer
14. Act Three, Scene Three: In Fernem Land - Jess Thomas/Gottlob Frick/Chor Of The Vienna State Opr/Richard Rossmayer
15. Act Three, Scene Three: Mir Schwankt Der Boden! - Elisabeth Grummer/Jess Thomas/Chor Of The Vienna State Opr/Richard Rossmayer/Gottlob Frick
16. Act Three, Scene Three: O Bleib, Und Zieh Uns Nicht Von Dannen! - Gottlob Frick/Chor Of The Vienna State Opr/Richard Rossmayer/Jess Thomas
17. Act Three, Scene Three: Mein Lieber Schwan! - Jess Thomas
18. Act Three, Scene Three: Weh! Weh! Du Edler, Holder Mann! - Gottlob Frick/Chor Of The Vienna State Opr/Richard Rossmayer/Christa Ludwig/Jess Thomas...

Amazon.com essential recording

This celebrated 1964 recording of Lohengrin with Rudolf Kempe and the Vienna State Opera Orchestra still stands the test of time: it's a terrifically exciting performance. Kempe is a superb draftsman, and he keeps the orchestra lively, exuberant, but never strident. Pride of place must be given to the soloists: Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau is a riveting Friedrich, Jess Thomas a dynamic Lohengrin, and Elisabeth Grummer a most moving Elsa. --Joshua Cody

Customer Reviews:

THIS RECORDING DESERVES TO BE CONSIDERED ONE OF THE GREATEST OF THE 20TH CENTURY.......2007-04-13

This recording of Lohengrin deserves not only 5 stars but 10. It is the best performance of this opera ever recorded. The playing of the VPO under Kempe is superb specially the strings. The chorus is also first rate. But it is the cast of singers that makes the difference. Both Gottlob Frick as the King and Otto Wiener as the Herald are superb. Jess Thomas is not one of my favorite singers, but here he has perhaps his best performance, now incisive, now romantic and passionate. In my opinion, he is much better than Placido Domingo for Solti, for he can control his huge voice much better according to the demands of each scene, whereas Domingo sounds a little bit gritty in his first performance of the character. He would sing Lohengrin much more satisfactorily some years later for Abbado in the Vienna Opera. Grummer was the perfect choice for Elsa; she conveys the frailty of the character as no other singer. But it is the couple of villains that steal the show. Fischer Dieskau and Christa Ludwig are among the greatest singers of the 20th century and here both are at their best. They simply set the standards for their roles, and whenever one listens to any performance of Lohengrin, it is inevitable that the singing and acting of the singers who play Ortrud and Telramund are judged taking the ones of Ludwig and Fischer Dieskau as the parameter. Sound quality is excellent, but, of course, it cannot match Solti's album, recorded in 1985. But this performance is worth every cent you pay for the CDs.

Brilliant dark meanderings.......2006-12-12

Wagner was already into serious genius territory when he wrote this opera--which is practically as long, complex, maddening and fascinating as anything else he wrote. The recording and rendering of this lengthy maze of text and music is a testament to the genius of the producer, conductor, record company, engineers, musicians and singers, who are uniformly good to great. The texture of the sound is especially pleasing here--an analog warmth and silkiness comes across without the tape hiss and lack of definition and clarity that were troublesome with LP records. I've listened to it several times and am more impressed with each listening. One small complaint--Jess Thomas never really did much for me. He seems overshadowed by such towering singers as Gottlob Frick, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau and Christa Ludwig. Even the distinguished critic who wrote the liner notes for this set failed to include Thomas in his list of brilliant singers who were recruited for the cast--a telling omission. Oh well, heldentenors were not then, nor are they now hanging out on every street corner. This behemoth works anyway and provides, as they say, hours of entertainment for those long dark winter days....and nights.

Only one nit to pick..........2006-12-01

...Perfectionists, beware. Just a bit after 16 minutes into the second act, between Ortrud's words "er war in deiner Macht!" and Telramund's response "Entsetzlich!" the present "Great Recordings of the Century" issue of this recording suffers from a truly appalling editing error. About a half second of music just seems to have gone missing. It's not a subtle mistake. Anybody who's not sleeping through this incomparable scene will easily hear it. And it's painful.

Still the best version ever, of course.

THE REAL THING.......2006-08-16

This is a disc that displays its credentials as a 'Great Recording of the Century' in every bar. Getting on for nearly half a century old now, it still stands firm as by far the most recommendable version of the opera.

Certainly the singing cast is uniformly outstanding. The villains of the piece, Ortrud and Telramund, almost take over the show in the hands of Christa Ludwig and Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau. The opening scene of Act 2, with its dark foreshadowings of Wagner's later style, is compulsive here as the witch-like disciple of the 'old religion' probes and explores every chink and weakness in her husband's psyche while he struggles and frets to cling onto the last vestiges of his 'honour' like a fly caught in her spider's web. Ortrud's invocation of her gods in the solo which follows his departure is absolutely hair-raising. And the way in which she subverts and manipulates Elsa in the scene after that is just as psychologically and vocally fascinating as anything in The Ring. Great singing actors both.

The somewhat goody-goody hero and heroine will always find it hard to live with all that. The Devil always did get the best tunes. But Elisabeth Grummer is a near ideal Elsa. Only Janowitz on the Kubelik set runs her close. The voice is pure and silvery, but her vocal acting makes the character far from the simpleton Elsa can often seem. The Dream and Euch luften are both treasurable. Jess Thomas is not to everyone's taste but he characterises the Grail Knight wonderfully (as he always did in the theatre) and sings with consistently thoughtful and musical sense. The voice perhaps lacks that degree of Italianate bel canto that fits this part better than any other of Wagner's tenor heroes. For that you have to go back to the likes of de Lucia from the tail-end of the 19th Century or the Frenchman Georges Thill between the Wars. Gigli recorded some fascinating bits in his own inimitable style. Melchior was, I always think, a bit stentorian for the part. Among modern singers, only Domingo really essays this approach.

Frick is a rock-solid King Heinrich: Otto Wiener is luxury casting indeed as the Herald. The chorus from the Vienna Opera are magnificent, as is the Vienna Phil. But the greatest accolades should go to Rudolf Kempe, a Wagner conductor who would never tear a passion to tatters like a Solti nor indulge in an over-upholstered bed of sound like a Karajan. Here he has the full measure of Wagner's most 'operatic' opera, delivering perfect pacing, consistently long-breathed phrasing and great punch when it's called for.

These are discs that fully live up to their billing as one of the 'Great Recordings of the Century'.

A beloved reading, but for me there are drawbacks.......2005-09-05

Every once in a while a classic opera set disappoints me. I cannot say that this Lohengrin is anything but fine. Even so, I didn't feel drawn in completely. Jess Thomas strikes me as straining to sound more heroic than his voice actually wants to be--this was a common problem in an era lacking true heldentenors, as witness Windgassen when he sang Tristan or Siegfried--but he looked every inch the part, and the gound was thin for Lohengrins. Kempe is a British favorite among condcutors because he headed the BBC Symphony in the Sixties, and that accounts a lot for the high praise for what he does here. He's scrupulous and restained much of the time; I don't find any genius present here, and Lohengrin benefits from less caution and more let 'er rip. Grummer is touching as a light-voiced Elsa, but there is a fast beat in her voice that took a while ot adjust to.

I sound like I'm niggling, but I've responded emotionally to other Lohengrins, like the Abbado and Solti, with more enthusiasm and visceral excitement. Classics can be superceded.

Average customer rating: In response to James P. Sheehan This is the BEST bruch out there Awkward playing Very nice, kinda overrated here Definitive Mendelssohn, phenomenal poetry in the Bruch(s)

Mendelssohn, Bruch: Violin Concertos / Chung, Kempe Manufacturer: Decca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Bruch | Bruch, Max | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mendelssohn | Mendelssohn, Felix | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Chung, Kyung-Wha | ( C ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Tchaikovsky, Sibelius: Violin Concertos - The Classic Sound / Chung, Previn Prokofiev: Violin Concertos 1 & 2; Stravinsky: Violin Concerto Con Amore: Violin Encores Brahms: Violin Sonatas Nos. 1-3 Schumann: Piano Concerto Op. 54; Grieg: Piano Concerto Op. 16 ASIN: B00000JXZ7 Release Date: 1999-08-10

Tracks:

1. Violin Concerto In E Minor, Op. 64: I. Allegro molto appassionato
2. Violin Concerto In E Minor, Op. 64: II. Andante
3. Violin Concerto In E Minor, Op. 64: III. Allegretto non troppo - Allegro molto vivace
4. Violin Concerto No 1 In G minor, op.26: I. Introduction: Allegro moderato
5. Violin Concerto No 1 In G minor, op.26: II. Adagio
6. Violin Concerto No 1 In G minor, op.26: III. Finale: Allegro energico
7. Scottish Fantasia For Violin And Orchestra , Op.46: I. Introduction: Grave - Adagio cantabile
8. Scottish Fantasia For Violin And Orchestra , Op.46: II. Allegro
9. Scottish Fantasia For Violin And Orchestra,Op.46: III. Andante sostenuto
10. Scottish Fantasia For Violin And Orchestra,Op.46: IV. Finale: Allegro guerriero

Customer Reviews:

In response to James P. Sheehan.......2007-05-06

This review is in response to gripes by the aforementioned reviewer regarding the "excessive" dynamic range on this CD.

Sound engineers do not purposely "exaggerate" dynamic range on discs - in fact, if you were familiar with modern sound engineering, you would know that a prevalent problem nowadays is the *reduction* of dynamic range (compression) in order to win the "loudness race". I do not know of a single disc out there that had its dynamic range artificially "expanded", if this is even possible.

In other words, your playback equipment is to fault - it is (sadly) typical for lower end audio equipment to not reproduce low level information well; it vanishes, making fortissimos startling and pianissimos absent. Or perhaps you are listening to this disc in a noisy environment, with low level information getting lost in the haze of environmental noise.

Regardless of the reason, I feel that your opinion on this disc's sound quality should be taken with more than a small pinch of salt given the information that I have relayed here.

This is the BEST bruch out there.......2005-04-07

i have heard over 20 different recordings of Bruch violin concerto No.1. i strongly recommend this recording to anyone. this is the best out there. no kidding. i put this in #1 spot where oistrakh's recording also belongs to. Those 2 recordings are different and both excellent. IF YOU LIKE THIS PEICE, YOU HAVE TO LISTEN THIS.

Awkward playing.......2005-03-28

You can do much better for the Mendelssohn and Bruch. You may have to get them separately, but Isaac Stern does them much better. I find Ms. Chung's playing to be uneven, choppy and full of seams. The phrasing is not smooth. Her vibrato is also very sloppy in places. Frankly, having listened to several recordings of these two pieces over many years I would have to keep these
discs out of the running entirely. I would recommend Stern or
Francescatti in the Bruch and Stern in the Mendelssohn. You get
the tops Tchaikovsky performance as well if you get Stern (with score cuts in overly repetitive measures).

Very nice, kinda overrated here.......2004-06-11

I bought this CD after reading many of the enthusiastic reviews here. And while I agree that her playing is at times beguiling and masterful, and that the sound quality is astounding, I find much of her phrasing breathless and confused (especially in the Mendelssohn). She often "swallows" the notes at the bottom end of a run, then scratches back in catching up. She overplays her hand rather gaudily at times, with no appreciable intent. It is not a "seamless" performance, like that of Heifetz, but broken up into smaller chunks of musical (and emotive) effort.

I applaud her determined effort to take risks and give fresh voice to these pieces, but I find that she doesn't seem to demonstrate that she knows where she's going often enough to gain my full confidence. I have listened a few times now to both her Bruch and her Mendelssohn performances on this CD, and have found new delights and discoveries -- but just as many disappointments and "so whats?"

I think the quality of this recording's technical production is one of its flaws: it's like a sound geek's dynamic-range tour-de-force. The violin is jammed in your face. When the orchestra is faint, it's too faint, and when it's loud, well, it fairly bursts. I think the guys at the mixing console were maybe a little too interested in what they COULD do, and less interested in what was appropriate.

I agree that the recording does in some ways capture the excitement and urgency of a live performance, but quite frankly, it's a CD. I also purchased a Heifetz recording of the Mendelssohn concerto, and man, I've listened to that bad-boy about 87 times in a row. But, that's unfair -- the two violinists are nothing at all alike.

In a nutshell: Kyung-Wha Chung will take you on an engaging, sometimes exciting tour of these showpieces. But she (with a little "help" from her sound crew) is sometimes like a chatty tour guide with a big megaphone.

Definitive Mendelssohn, phenomenal poetry in the Bruch(s).......2003-08-06

...I feel obliged to say something, as I believe this is one of the outstanding must-have cds of recent years.
Kyung Wha Chung cut these legendary recordings in the 70s (Bruch) and early 80s (Mendelssohn), with fantastic analogue sound and outstanding orchestral rapport. She plays the Mendelssohn with a pace which brings out the sheer joy and beauty of the music, free of lingering exaggerated sentimentality. If ever there was a modern masterpiece, this recording is one. The sound is sweet and virile, and in this as in so many of her recordings she plays as if she is capturing a live performance, not the stereotyped studio. There is a spontaneity so often lacking in studio recordings, which doesn't fade with repeated hearings.
The Bruch Concerto is also wonderfully fresh, a real breath of life in a much-recorded work. (Astonishingly, she plays this work even more beguilingly later with Klaus Tennstedt, coupled with the Beethoven, another must-have recording). I first heard this Kempe collaboration of the Bruch Concerto and Scottish Fantasy when it was released on vinyl, long ago played into scratched oblivion as was the way with my favourite LPs. Hearing the CD is just magical. Even the fabulous Heifetz Mendelssohn (Munch) and Bruch (Sargent) recordings don't eclipse Kyung Wha Chung's legendary performances, which are appropriately remastered on the Decca Legends label

Average customer rating: Great value!

Dvorák: Symphonies Nos. 1-9; In Nature; Serenade for Winds; Serenade for Strings, etc. Manufacturer: RCA ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Dances | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music General | Dvorák, Antonín | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Divertimentos | Serenades & Divertimentos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Romantic | Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Overtures | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Scherzo | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music London Philharmonic Orchestra | ( L ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Blowout Box Sets | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 20% Off | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Dvorák, Antonín | ( D ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music London Philharmonic Orchestra | ( L ) | Performers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Instrumental | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Classical Instrumental Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: Sibelius: The 7 Symphonies; Finlandia; Kullervo; etc. Mendelssohn-Bartholdy: Symphonies; Overtures; Concertos Elgar: The 2 Symphonies; Enigma Variations; Overtures; Serenade; Violin Concerto; Cello Concerto Schubert: Symphonies Nos. 1-6, 8 & 9 Wiener Musik ASIN: B000A6T2KI Release Date: 2005-09-06

Customer Reviews:

Great value!.......2007-06-01

I think this 7 cd set is totally worth the low price.
I can't find any review of this set of CDs online, so I did some research after I bought it.
It is the first CD release of Sir Andrew Davis's complete Dvorak's symphonies.
These recordings were made between 1978-1982 by CBS. (ADD/DDD)
SONY DSD remaster eliminated most of the early digital sound problems.
PO players produced warm and dramatic sounds.
The still young Andrew Davis did a great job adding his personal reading of the scores. I like his slower tempo treatment of Symphony No. 9.
Symphony no.1,3 and the Carnival overture are also great.
Only down side is the linear notes is too short, and lack of detail.
Dvorak's music always bring me the love for life. I hope you will enjoy it too.

Average customer rating: Outstanding performances Reviving a Lost Love Not for beginners... One of the very best of all EMI sets! The 2nd coming for all Straussians! terrible, awful, hideous, lousy

Strauss: Orchestral Works Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music Dances | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Strauss | Strauss, Richard | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Concertinos | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Romantic | Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Tone Poems | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Ballets & Dances | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music French Horn | Brass | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Piano | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Oboe | Reeds & Winds | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Cello | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Classical | Box Sets | Stores | Music Bargain Box Sets | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music Similar Items: Debussy, Ravel: Orchestral Works Bruckner: The Complete Symphonies Sibelius: The Complete Symphonies & Tone Poems Liszt: Works for Piano and Orchestra Symphonies 1-3 / Piano Concerto 1-4 / Isle of Dead ASIN: B000026D4K Release Date: 1999-11-16

Tracks:

1. Horn Concerto No. 1 In E Flat Major, Op. 11: I: Allegro
2. Horn Concerto No. 1 In E Flat Major, Op. 11: II: Andante
3. Horn Concerto No. 1 In E Flat Major, Op. 11: III: Allegro
4. Horn Concerto No. 2 In E Flat Major: I: Allegro
5. Horn Concerto No. 2 In E Flat Major: II: Andante con moto
6. Horn Concerto No. 2 In E Flat Major: III: Rondo (Allegro molto)
7. Oboe Concerto In D Major: I: Allegro moderato
8. Oboe Concerto In D Major: II: Andante
9. Oboe Concerto In D Major: III: Vivace
10. Duett-Concertino: I; Allegro moderato
11. Duett-Concertino: II: Andante
12. Duett-Concertino: III: Rondo (Allegro ma non troppo)

Tracks:

1. Burleske
2. Parergon zur Sinfonia Domestica, Op. 73
3. Panathenaenzug, Op. 74

Tracks:

1. Till Eulenspiegels lustige Streiche, Op. 28
2. Don Juan, Op. 20
3. Ein Heldenleben, Op. 40: The Hero
4. Ein Heldenleben, Op. 40: The Hero's Adversaries
5. Ein Heldenleben, Op. 40: The Hero's Wife
6. Ein Heldenleben, Op. 40: Certainty Of Victory
7. Ein Heldenleben, Op. 40: The Hero's Battlefield
8. Ein Heldenleben, Op. 40: War Fanfares
9. Ein Heldenleben, Op. 40: The Hero's Work Of Peace
10. Ein Heldenleben, Op. 40: The Hero's Withdrawl From The World
11. Ein Heldenleben, Op. 40: Renunciation

Tracks:

1. Violin Concerto in D minor, Op. 8: I: Allegro
2. Violin Concerto in D minor, Op. 8: II: Lento
3. Violin Concerto in D minor, Op. 8: III: Rondo
4. Sinfonia Domestica, Op. 53: Bewegt - Thema I - Thema II - Thema III
5. Sinfonia Domestica, Op. 53: Scherzo (Munter)
6. Sinfonia Domestica, Op. 53: Wiegenlied - Massig langsam
7. Sinfonia Domestica, Op. 53: Adagio - (Langsam)
8. Sinfonia Domestica, Op. 53: Finale (Sehr lebhaft)

Tracks:

1. Also sprach Zarathustra, Op. 30
2. Tod und Verklarung, Op. 24
3. Der Rosenkavalier, Op. 59

Tracks:

1. Salome, Op. 54: Dance Of The Seven Veils
2. Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme - Suite, Op. 60: Overture
3. Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme - Suite, Op. 60: Jourdain - Minuet
4. Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme - Suite, Op. 60: The Fencing Master
5. Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme - Suite, Op. 60: Entrance and Dance of the Tailors
6. Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme - Suite, Op. 60: Minuet of Lully
7. Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme - Suite, Op. 60: Courante
8. Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme - Suite, Op. 60: Entry Of Cleonte
9. Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme - Suite, Op. 60: Intermezzo (Prelude To Act 2)
10. Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme - Suite, Op. 60: The Dinner
11. Schlagobers, Op. 70: Waltz
12. Josephslegende, Op. 63: Symphonic Fragment

Tracks:

1. Metamorphosen: Study For 23 Solo Strings
2. Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: Night
3. Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: Sunrise
4. Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: The Ascent
5. Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: Entering The Forest
6. Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: Strolling By The Stream
7. Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: By The Waterfall
8. Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: Apparition
9. Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: In Flowery Meadows
10. Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: In A Mountain Pasture
11. Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: Lost In The Thickets And Undergrowth
12. Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: On The Glacier
13. Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: Dangerous Moments
14. Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: On The Summit
15. Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: Vision
16. Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: Mists Rise Up
17. Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: The Sun Grows Dark
18. Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: Elegy
19. Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: Quiet Before The Storm
20. Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: A Thunderstorm - Descent
21. Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: Sunset
22. Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: Conclusion
23. Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: Night

Tracks:

1. Aus Italien, Op.16: I: Andante
2. Aus Italien, Op.16: II: Allegro molto con brio
3. Aus Italien, Op.16: III: Andantino
4. Aus Italien, Op.16: IV: Finale (Allegro molto)
5. Macbeth, Op. 23: Symphonic Poem

Tracks:

1. Don Quixote, Op. 35: Introduktion (Massiges Zeitmass)
2. Don Quixote, Op. 35: Massig (Don Quixote)
3. Don Quixote, Op. 35: Maggiore (Sancho Panza)
4. Don Quixote, Op. 35: Variation I: The adventure with the windmills
5. Don Quixote, Op. 35: Variation II: The battle with the sheep
6. Don Quixote, Op. 35: Variation III: Discourse between knight and squire
7. Don Quixote, Op. 35: Variation IV: The adventure with the pilgrims
8. Don Quixote, Op. 35: Variation V: The knight's vigil
9. Don Quixote, Op. 35: Variation VI: The meeting with Dulcinea
10. Don Quixote, Op. 35: Variation VII: The ride through the air
11. Don Quixote, Op. 35: Variation VIII: The voyage in the enchanted boat
12. Don Quixote, Op. 35: Variation IX: The combat with the two magicians
13. Don Quixote, Op. 35: Variation X: The defeat of Don Quixote
14. Don Quixote, Op. 35: Finale (Sehr ruhig)
15. Dance Suite from harpsichord pieces by Francois Couperin: I: Entree and stately round
16. Dance Suite from harpsichord pieces by Francois Couperin: II: Courante
17. Dance Suite from harpsichord pieces by Francois Couperin: III: Carillon
18. Dance Suite from harpsichord pieces by Francois Couperin: IV: Sarabande
19. Dance Suite from harpsichord pieces by Francois Couperin: V: Gavotte
20. Dance Suite from harpsichord pieces by Francois Couperin: VI: Tourbillon - Wirbeltanz
21. Dance Suite from harpsichord pieces by Francois Couperin: VIII: Allemande
22. Dance Suite from harpsichord pieces by Francois Couperin: VIII: March

Amazon.com essential recording

When it comes to the music of Richard Strauss, none of the world's great orchestras has a more distinguished tradition than the Staatskapelle Dresden. As pit orchestra of the Dresden Court Opera, the Staatskapelle was involved in the premieres, between 1901 and 1911, of Feuersnot, Salome, Elektra, and Der Rosenkavalier; later, with Karl Böhm conducting, its players participated in the premiere of Daphne. Most of Strauss's major tone poems have been in the Dresden orchestra's concert repertory since completion.

Back in the 1970s, EMI was able to capitalize on this association when it reunited the Staatskapelle with Rudolf Kempe--a native of Dresden, one of the master conductors of the 20th century, and an absolutely authoritative Straussian--for an integral recording of Strauss's orchestral works and concertos. The cycle was warmly received when it was originally released on LP, and it has become one of the treasures of the CD catalog since EMI reissued it whole, in three volumes, in 1992. With this latest repackaging, the whole impressive enterprise becomes available in one box.

Across the board, Kempe and the Dresdeners give magnificent readings of the music. Their Zarathustra is imposing and grand; their Heldenleben suitably heroic and quite smashingly played; their Till Eulenspiegel and Don Juan delightfully brisk, characterful, and exultant (the latter is dispatched in a blazing 16:06, and receives as ardent and exhilarating a reading as you are ever likely to encounter on disc). One of the finest of all the offerings is the account of Eine Alpensinfonie, a Kempe favorite and still a sonic knockout after nearly three decades.

The less familiar orchestral works are here, as well, including the early tone poems Aus Italien and Macbeth and the admittedly rather frothy ballet scores Josephslegende and Schlagobers. Of special value are the accounts of all Strauss's concerted works, from the early Violin Concerto (played by Ulf Hoelscher) and Burleske for piano and orchestra (with Malcolm Frager as soloist), through Don Quixote (featuring Paul Tortelier in magisterial form) and the two horn concertos, to the Oboe Concerto of 1946 and the final Duett-Concertino for clarinet and bassoon.

It's hard to imagine any label tackling such a project in today's bottom-line environment, or coming up with such definitive readings from today's performers. All the more reason to celebrate the appearance of this compendium. --Ted Libbey

Customer Reviews:

Outstanding performances.......2007-05-13

Rudolf Kempe's interpretations of Richard Strauss orchestral works (almost complete - one miss the orchestral songs) have been classic recordings since they first appeared on record in the early seventies (1970-75).

Especially fine are his interpretations of the core works, e.g., the symphonic poems Also sprach Zarathustra, Ein Heldenleben, Eine Alpensinfonie, Tod und Verklärung, Don Juan, Till Eulenspiegel, Don Quixote. All these are given first rate interpretations.

Furthermore, you get outstanding interpretations of Strauss' two horn concertos as well, with Peter Damm's superb horn playing, and an outstanding performance of Metamorphosen.

There is simply no rival to this collection of "core works of Richard Strauss".

In addition, this box collects also Strauss less interesting orchestral works - see Amazon's listing above. These minor works receive fine interpretations and performances too, but the main attraction is of course the core works above.

Sound quality is very fine - just excellent analogue stereo - and the orchestra, Staatskapelle Dresden, was one of the top orchestras in the world when these sessions were put on record.

Warmly recommended!

Reviving a Lost Love.......2006-08-07

The highest praise for any conductor must be that he rekindles enthusiasm and love for music that had been recently abandoned. In his autobiography, the conductor Felix Weingartner confesses that he had grown out of touch with Strauss' music; until hearing this set, I had felt the same, with only a few exceptions. But Rudolf Kempe and his really great Staatskapelle Dresden have won me back to Richard's orchestral music. So far, I have only heard part of the set: Zarathustra, Heldenleben, Till, Tod und Verklaerung, Der Buerger als Edelmann, Don Juan, Burleske, and Sinfonia Domestica, but my appetite is whet for more. Because of the refined, subtle, and yet intense conducting of Kempe, what used to strike me as cheap and taudry now strikes me as profound and moving. And the sheer musical skill of Strauss in thematic invention and counterpoint never ceases to amaze. Kempe was truly, in my not so humble opinion, the greatest conductor of the German classics following Furtwaengler; Karajan was empty and shallow by comparison. Kempe brings to this music the same passion and dignity that he brought to Beethoven, Brahms, Wagner, Schumann, and other of "his" composers. To make just one comparison, Reiner's Zarathustra, once hallowed by me as by most listeners, now sounds like overripe, rotting fruit as compared to the passionate yet thoughtful quality that Kempe brings to it. The Staatskapelle Dresden, by the way, sounds like the greatest orchestra in the world, only matched by the Berlin Philharmonic under Kempe or Furtwaengler, an orchestra that produces incidentally beautiful sounds but whose main goal is the projection and characterization of the music. No virtuosity for its own sake, just musicianship, musicianship, and more musicianship. EMI's sound is the very epitome of how to record an orchestra: Impactful, yet smooth and detailed, with natural perspectives and no spotlighting. This set belongs in every music lover's library.

Not for beginners..........2006-07-16

Most boxed sets have their ups and downs because no conductor is equally sympathetic to all of a composer's works. Kempe is no exception to this rule.

The masterpieces, Zarathustra, Heldenleben, and Quixote, are superb here. Kempe clarifies Strauss' complex textures in a way that other conductors like Karajan don't. Most of the time, I prefer to hear these works Karajan's way, but it's nice to hear what Kempe does with them, too. No one does Sinfonia Domestica the way Kempe does it...with such gentleness and humor. I listened to Reiner's recording for years, but I put it up for sale on amazon after I heard the Kempe. With all four of these large tone poems, Kempe and Karajan are all I really need.

The Don Juan is just about the best I've ever heard. It is so vital and exciting! Better than Karajan or any other I know. It is hard to imagine that Macbeth will ever be done better than this either. Macbeth is one of the reasons I own this set, but it's hardly one of Strauss' masterpieces. Speaking of non-masterpieces, I also treasure Kempe's recordings of Strauss' strange works for piano and orchestra. The Burleske has more poetry but less excitement than the classic Byron Janis/Reiner recording.

Kempe's recordings of the Horn Concertos are truly awful. Listen to the weak, watery tones of the first-chair horn player stepping into the solo spotlight. One listen to the mono recordings of Dennis Brain conducted by Sawallisch shows what is missing: bold, ringing tone and lots of excitement. If I only knew Kempe's recordings, I wouldn't even care about these pieces.

The bad news continues with the Oboe Concerto (weak oboist) and the charming Duet Concertino (weak bassoon).

Kempe misses the raucous fun that charges the best recordings of Till Eulenspiegel. This is a limp dishrag of a performance (until the last few minutes). At the very start of the performance, you will hear a familiar sound -- our weak horn player from the concertos playing a solo -- and you will long to stop the CD and reach for a different recording.

Metamorphosen is one of my favorite pieces by Strauss. Kempe, as is his wont, tries mightily to clarify Strauss' dense counterpoint here, and I appreciate the effort. I hear things here that I miss in other recordings. But this reading does not move me the way others have. Ormandy, to name just one. Death and Transfiguration is another one that Ormandy did better. Kempe is too fast at times! Really fast!

My greatest disappointment with this set is a recording that has been acclaimed by many as one of the greatest Strauss recordings ever made...Kempe's take on Eine Alpensinfonie. I have lived for many years with the Karajan recording, and I must say that Kempe misses many of the moments that I have come to treasure in Karajan's version. One example would be those 20 horns playing! Karajan makes this absolutely thrilling, which I'm sure is what Strauss intended. With Kempe, this telling touch by Strauss passes by unremarkably. The slow, quiet passage at the summit lacks magic. The apotheosis at the top of the mountain is certainly thrilling in Kempe's hands, but he misses too much on the way up. By the way, his cowbells sound almost comically bad. He certainly does bring out the beauty of the closing sections of the work, though.

If you are really serious about getting to know Strauss' music, this is a necessary purchase for the rarities that will probably never be done better like the Violin Concerto and the pieces I've already mentioned. If you just want Strauss' most famous works, this is a waste of your money (no matter how cheap it is!)because there's a lot of stuff here that either isn't very good or that you probably won't want to listen to that often. You would be better off buying Karajan's recordings (the 1970s recordings, not the remakes from the 80s) of the big three tone poems and then filling in the smaller ones as your interests dictate. Casual listeners will never need to hear pieces like Macbeth or the piano works that make this set so vital to Strauss-aholics like me!

One of the very best of all EMI sets! The 2nd coming for all Straussians!.......2006-02-10

The great Strauss tone poems soar to the highest level imaginable! With Kempe's genius, the lesser works become great! Kempe resists all temptation to be banal or bombastic. He directs the Staatskappele Dresden with a silken, burnished tone yet with restraint that has a radiant glow that never sacrifices the inherent capacity of the music to thrill, deeply move, or elevate to another plain. Each work played is in itself the guide: conductor and orchestra let the works deliver their own brilliance. The Don Juan and Dead and Transfiguration are soul piercing, along with Ein Heldenleben, and....... The Staatskapelle Dresden has always been an inspired ensemble and in Kempe's hands they are simply put, magnificent, delivering one thrilling performance after another. Like Wagner and Faith, you get Strauss or you don't. If you do get it, this set is beyond self recommendation; Buy this set before it disappears from the shelves. Classical Cd shelves these days have hidden boomerangs. One minute here, next minute.....boing going gone)...! The concert hall may never hear greater performances of Strauss' orchestral works as we hear on these nine disks. The sound is nothing short of a rich, full timber as Kempe leads then with inspired and interpretive genius . This all may sound over the edge but I don't think so and I don't think you will be disappointed. Strauss has been served in splendor by the Dresden musicians under Kempe's baton. [Although in an aside I must say that Raphael Fruhbeck de Burgos and the Tanglewood Music Center Orchestra's performance this past summer of Don Juan and the Rosenkavalier suite were superb.] Then I think of the BSO with Levine...., their Strauss should be something else. Bravo and kudos to all for bringing us this gift. Booklet is very well done with one exception. There is not a word in the booklet about Rudolf Kempe and/or the orchestra itself. 10 stars anyway!!

terrible, awful, hideous, lousy.......2005-04-22

The problem with the "classics" is that too many hacks have hacked them to pieces. My opinion of these recordings, for whatever it is worth, is that they simply do not do justice to Strauss's magnificent music.

There is a reason they are a "bargain". I would avoid this set.
Sometimes a boxed set is a good deal, but this one is not. I find the entire set unspeakably dull and literally unlistenable.

In any event, this is merely my opinion. The majority of the other reviewers think its terrific.

Average customer rating: A beautiful, reverent requiem Excellent Reference Requiem

Mozart: Requiem - Rudolf Kempe, Berlin Philharmonic, Choir of St. Hedwigs Cathedral Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Requiems | Forms & Genres | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Requiems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music 4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music ASIN: B000F0UVSG Release Date: 2006-06-06

Tracks:

1. I. Introitus
2. II. Kyrie
3. III. Sequenz
4. II. Dies Irae
5. Rex Tremendae
6. Recordare
7. Confutatis
8. Lacrimosa
9. IV. Offertorium
10. Hostias
11. V. Sanctus
12. VI. Benedictus
13. VII. Agnus Dei -
14. VIII. Communio

Customer Reviews:

A beautiful, reverent requiem.......2006-10-13

I bought this recording on vinyls somewhere around 1965, and was SO glad to see that it had been reissued on disc. The requiem is truly beautiful in every sense of the word. Every phrase has been thought out and is rendered reverently. The four soloists are simply beyond perfection. Elisabeth Grummer's voice is radiant with faith in the Divine Source. Marga Hoffgen is strong and blends well with the other three. The tenor, Helmut Krebs is light and floats, perfect for Mozart and Gottlob Frick, the great German bass, is the rock and foundation for the whole quartet. Let's not leave out the Berlin Phil-they play exquisitely and respond to every nuance that Kempe asks for. Kempe was a very spiritual person, so please expect a Requiem of great depth and as an expression of faith. One other thing to notice for those of you who desire a more modern recording: this is post war Germany. The tempi will seem slow to begin with, but as you get used to it, no other choices seem to work. This is a Requiem to savour and enjoy!

Excellent Reference Requiem.......2006-08-28

EMI continues to outshine their major label classical peers. While Sony/BMG is deleting their budget line and UNI is focusing on expensive limited edition box sets, EMI Classics new "Historical" reissues are budget-priced, in fact at half the price of their old mid-line "References" historical series. Actually, this 1955 mono account of the Mozart Requiem by Rudolf Kempe and the Berlin Philharmonic was available in that old "References" series (coupled with an enjoyable 1956 Bruckner "Te Deum" led by Karl Foster with some of the same singers and the same orchestra, which is omitted in this new reissue), and until now it was commanding outrageous prices as a collector's item. Kempe didn't record much Mozart -- a few old EMI recordings of the Symphonies have been licensed out to Testament -- but what I've encountered I've thoroughly enjoyed. Still, this disc is for those who love this great work, and want a second (third, fourth or fifth) opinion. Classic stereo accounts by Colin Davis or von Karajan, or a highly acclaimed 2004 recording by Harnoncourt if you desire digital, deserve first considerations. (On a personal note, I very much enjoy two stereo budget accounts, the EMI Seraphim title conducted by Giulini and the Universal by Kertesz -- see my review of the latter.) But as a reference recording, it's hard to overlook Kempe.

Average customer rating: Another Strauss winner

Strauss: Elektra Manufacturer: BBC Legends ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Strauss | Strauss, Richard | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Verdi: Don Carlo ASIN: B000I8OIXO Release Date: 2007-01-30

Tracks:

1. Wo Bleibt Elektra?
2. Ich Will Vor Ihr Mich Niederwerfen
3. Allein! Weh, Ganz Allein
4. Elektra! Ah, Das Gesicht!
5. Ich Kann Nicht Sitzen Und Ins Dunkel Starren
6. Es Geht Ein Larm Los
7. Was Willst Du? Seht Doch, Dort!
8. Ich Habe Keine Guten Nachte
9. Lasst Du Den Bruder Nicht Nach Hause, Mutter?
10. Was Bluten Muss?
11. Orest! Orest Ist Tot!

Tracks:

1. Platz Da!
2. Nun Muss Es Hier Von Uns Geschehn
3. Wie Stark Du Bist!
4. Von Jetz An Will Ich Deine Schwester Sein
5. Sei Verflucht!
6. Was Willst Du, Fremder Mensch?
7. Die Hunde Auf Dem Hof Erkennen Mich
8. Es Ruhrt Sich Niemand
9. Di Wirst Es Tun? Allein?
10. Seid Ihr Von Sinnen
11. Ich Hab' Ihm Das Beil Nicht Geben Konnen!
12. Es Muss Etwas Geschehen Sein
13. He! Lichter! Lichter!
14. Helft! Morder!
15. Elektra! Schwester!
16. Ob Ich Nicht Hore?
17. Sie Fahren Dahin Wie Die Scharfe Des Schwerts
18. Schweig, Und Tanze
19. Lord Harewood In Conversation With Roger Beardsley

Customer Reviews:

Another Strauss winner.......2007-07-15

I am very pleased with my purchase. I am on a roll collecting the best Electras.

Average customer rating: Playing the right notes, in Baroque music, will get you 10% there Great A cherished artist, though with declining technique, alas Yeh, he's still got it A comment about the Brahms

The Great Violin Concertos Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by J.S. Bach | Bach, Johann Sebastian | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Beethoven | Beethoven, Ludwig van | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Brahms | Brahms, Johannes | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Bruch | Bruch, Max | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mendelssohn | Mendelssohn, Felix | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Concertinos | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra | ( B ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music London Philharmonic Orchestra | ( L ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra | ( V ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Bargain Box Sets | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music Similar Items: Great Recordings Of The Century - Mendelssohn, Bruch: Violin Concertos / Menuhin, Susskind, Kurtz Bach: Sonatas & Partitas for Solo Violin Yehudi Menuhin: In Memoriam Gould Meets Menuhin Great Recordings Of The Century - Beethoven: Triple Concerto; Brahms: Double Concerto / Oistrakh, Rostropovich, Richter ASIN: B000002SBS Release Date: 1991-07-05

Tracks:

1. Concerto For Two Violins In D Minor, BWV 1043: I: Vivace
2. Concerto For Two Violins In D Minor, BWV 1043: II: Largo ma non tanto
3. Concerto For Two Violins In D Minor, BWV 1043: III: Allegro
4. Violin Concerto No. 3 In G, K.216: I: Allegro
5. Violin Concerto No. 3 In G, K.216: II: Adagio
6. Violin Concerto No. 3 In G, K.216: III: Rondeau (Allegro - Andante - Allegretto)
7. Violin Concerto No. 5 In A, K.219 'Turkish': I: Allegro aperto
8. Violin Concerto No. 5 In A, K.219 'Turkish': II: Adagio
9. Violin Concerto No. 5 In A, K.219 'Turkish': III: Rondeau (Tempo di Menuetto - Allegro)

Tracks:

1. Violin Concerto in D, Op.61: I: Allegro ma non troppo
2. Violin Concerto in D, Op.61: II: Larghetto
3. Violin Concerto in D, Op.61: Rondo (Allegro)
4. Violin Concerto In E Minor, Op.64: I: Allegro molto appassinatio - Presto
5. Violin Concerto In E Minor, Op.64: II: Andante
6. Violin Concerto In E Minor, Op.64: III: Allegretto non troppo - Allegro molto vivace

Tracks:

1. Violin Concerto In E Minor, Op. 64: I: Vivace
2. Violin Concerto In E Minor, Op. 64: II: Adagio
3. Violin Concerto In E Minor, Op. 64: III: Allegro
4. Violin Concerto No. 3 In G, K. 216: I: Allegro
5. Violin Concerto No. 3 In G, K. 216: II: Adagio
6. Violin Concerto No. 1 In G Minor, Op.26: III: Finale (Allegro energico)

Customer Reviews:

Playing the right notes, in Baroque music, will get you 10% there.......2007-01-03

I recently heard "Concerto For Two Violins In D Minor" from this recording on the radio. I was very disappointed. The technique and tone quality and all of that was fine, but the interpretation was quite off. I wouldn't even call this a "modern" interpretation, rather, I would call this a "complete lack of interpretation".

In the Baroque style, the first and last movements would have been nearly twice as fast, and the middle movement probably would have been played slower. As they were performed here, they almost seemed the same. The Baroque era was all about contrast. Echo dynamics, which were so clearly indicated in most Bach scores even when other dynamics were left out (such as the opening measures to the Prelude to the first suite for unaccompanied cello) were half-hearted and seemed more like an afterthought here. One is left wondering if the reduced tempos were due to lack of technical ability (of the soloists or the accompanying orchestra) or just a complete breakdown in musical communication.

I would recommend a more faithful production, such as a recording by the Academy of Ancient Music (or anything with Andrew Manze) over this recording any day.

Note: These opinions are all based only on the Concerto For Two Violins In D Minor.

Great.......2006-04-07

Yehudi played the d major violin concerto so beautiful. The rondo was my favorite, the pause in the begging before jumping into the higher octaves honestly made me cry. This is truley the best recording im my perspective. we will really miss this great musician rest in peace.

A cherished artist, though with declining technique, alas.......2005-12-13

These recordings, mostly dating from the late 50s, catch Menuhin at a low point in his technical decline. Reviewers here haven't touched on the oft-told story of how this famous child prodigy lost his technique almost entirely in early adulthood and had to struggle back painfully (through enormous discipline, spiritual practice, and relearning the instrument from scratch) until he was a semblance of his former self. Beneath the out-of-tune playing and awkwardly slow passage work remained a great musician. But of all instruments, the violin is almost impossible to listen to when intonation is sour.

It is frequently sour on these CDs. The Beethoven in particular sounds faulty. Yet the early stereo versions of the Bruch concerto with Walter Susskind and the Mendelssohn with Efram Krutz are great examples of Menuhin's undiminished artistry, which transcended technique. The 1957 Brahms concerto, accompanied by Rudolf Kempe and the Berlin Phil. in quiet, civilized fashion, allows Menuhin to expand musically, and he has moments of lyrical beauty that are deeply touching. But all the fast passages are marred by intonation problems and smudged fingering, and his technique isn't adequate to the first movement cadenza. Every performance is worth a listen, but I would be cautious about a colleciton of sometimes painful memories. Menuhin recovered enough to play well in the Beethoven concerto for Otto Klemperer later on, and of course there are a series of classic post-war recordings in good, clear mono with Furtwangler that spiritually soar while also holding their own technically.

Yeh, he's still got it.......2005-11-04

I have to admit that in this recording Yehudi is not as sharp as he is in earlier ones, but the fine-tuned expressiveness has not been lost. I would buy this cd simply for the Bruch Violin Concerto, if nothing else, which is a dangerous undertaking to listen to at all, as one is liable to forget to breathe. The Brahms is definitely worth finding a different recording of, however, the 1949 EMI classics is much better.
The most important thing to remember about this album, however, is that Menuhin has never been, and never claimed to be, the best technical player ever. It is his unique interpretation and earnestness that people really fall in love with, and that, he still has.

A comment about the Brahms.......2005-06-26

This recording of the Brahms concerto is one Menuhin made later in life. It is almost painful to listen to. Menuhin has technical problems and sound like he's working very hard in passages where the music should flow easily -- and does flow easily in his earlier recording with Furtwangler. Only occasionally does the passionate artist rise out of the challenged technician and take my breath away -- a passage here and there, but not enough to make it a worthwhile experience. For this particular work, as well as for the Beethoven, I strongly recommend getting EMI's release of the early 1950's Menuhin/Furtwangler performances -- soul-searching, fluid, inventive, and awe-inspiring.

Average customer rating: The whole career of one of the greatest singers of all time Birgit Sings Like Sweetness A Document In The Grand Career Of Birgit Nilsson (1918-2005) Great

Birgit Nilsson Sings Richard Wagner & Richard Strauss Manufacturer: Gala ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Strauss | Strauss, Richard | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wagner | Wagner, Richard | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Nilsson, Birgit | ( N ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Strauss, Richard | Q to T | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Wagner, Richard | U to Z | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Operas | Opera & Vocal | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Operas | Opera & Vocal | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music Similar Items: Birgit Nilsson: Opera Arias Nilsson Sings Verdi Or sai chi l'onore: Opernarien von Mozart, Weber, Wagner, Strauss Wagner: Opera Arias & Duets Prima Voce: Flagstad ASIN: B000001XNS Release Date: 2000-06-06

Tracks:

1. Ariadne auf Naxos: Es Ist alles vergebens - Es gibt ein Reich
2. Salome: Es ist kein Laut zu vernehmen
3. Salome: Ah! du wolltest mich nicht deinen Mund kussen lassen, Jochanaan
4. Salome: Sie ist ein Ungeheuer, deine Tochter
5. Salome: Ah! Ich habe deinen Mund gekusst, Jochanaan
6. Elektra: Was willst du, Fremder Mensch?
7. Die Fau Ohne Schatten: Es dunkelt, dass ich nicht sehe zur Arbeit
8. Die Fau Ohne Schatten: Es gibt derer, Die bleiben immer gelassen Abtu ich von meinem Leibe die Kinder
9. Die Fau Ohne Schatten: Die Weib ist irre - Barak, ich hab es nicht getan
10. Tannhauser: Dich, teure Halle
11. Lohengrin: Euch Luften, die mein Klagen
12. Lohengrin: Elsa!-Wer Ruft?
13. Lohengrin: Ortrud, wo bist du?

Tracks:

1. Tristan und Isolde: Horst du sie noch?
2. Tristan und Isolde: Mild und leise wie er lachelt
3. Die Walkure: Schlafst du, Gast?
4. Die Walkure: Wintersturme wichen dem Wonnemond
5. Die Walkure: De bist der Lenz
6. Die Walkure: O susseste Wonne! Seligstes Weib!
7. Die Walkure: Siegmund heiss ich und Siegmund bin ich!
8. Siegfried: Ewig war ich, ewig bin ich
9. Gotterdammerung: Schweigt eures Jammers jauchzenden Schwall
10. Gotterdammerung: Starke Scheite, Schichtet mir dort

Customer Reviews:

The whole career of one of the greatest singers of all time.......2007-01-14

I could nor beleive my eyes when I saw the price of this recording. It covers the whole career of the greatest Wagner and Strauss singer in the last half of the 20th Century. I think the whole performance of Ariadne of Naxos allurs in the archives of the Swedish Broadcasting company - a release, please!
When the news arrived that La Nilsson hade died in her home, surrounded by family members and near friends, on Christmas Day 2005 (kidneys not functioning, and no more dialysis possible) - we at once underrstand her uniquiness - there was nobody there to take over the helm and shield....It is quite wonderful that this eextensive compilation was published just recently. It is a very worthy portrait of a blessed singer!

Birgit Sings Like Sweetness.......2007-01-08

This is the first time I had heard Birgit Nilsson sing. The CD was great. However, I did have to blast the music because it is the original recording on the CD. Besides the quality it is worth purchasing if you want to hear one of the best. Her voice is clear and sweet, and welcoming to the ears.

A Document In The Grand Career Of Birgit Nilsson (1918-2005).......2006-03-23

The great soprano from Sweden, Birgit Nilsson, once contemplated suicide when she met with dismal reviews in her first perfomrance as Agathe from Weber's Die Freitschutz, for she was inexperienced and fresh out of the farm she grew up in. She went on to become the greatest dramatic soprano of all time, and for me, she is an even more thrilling and masterful soprano than the overrated Maria Callas. Birgit Nilsson died of unknown causes in her hometown of Sweden on Christmas of '05 only months ago. Her huge, steely, bright, metallic voice was reportedly capable of breaking glass and stone. This album covers many years in her career. Her Ariadne is not well known and it's captured in a young voice (50's) and she is in phenomenal shape. The dramatic heft of the role is suited to her voice. Wagner was her specialty of course and here we have slices of her Elisabeth from Tannhauser. She also sang Venus. Isolde was another great role of hers (the one she debuted at the Met) and Brunhilde is of course her best role. Singing Strauss is no piece of cake but when we listen to her Salome and Elektra and Dryer's Wife from Die Frau we are hearing a woman who, despite age, is singing with strength and vigor. She gets into character each time and she sings beautifully. All fans of La Nilsson must get this one.

Great.......2003-08-20

This is a very good CD for people who follow Birgit Nilsson's development. It contains live performances from 1949 (Ariadne auf Naxos - Nilsson sang Ariadne!!) to 1977 (Dyer's Wife in Die Frau Ohne Schatten). You can see her development from young to old over close to 30 years. For someone like me who have many of Birgit Nilsson's commercial recordings, this is a great CD too because it allows me to compare her 'live' performances with the studio recordings. It also enables me to see how her voice developed over the years. For instance, her voice grew in warm as she progressed in her career. By 1977, her voice had lost some ease - you can tell that she has to sing with more effort but her top register is still amazing, the gleam is still there even if it is more effortful to produce (when I say effortful I mean by young Birgit Nilsson standards - if you compare with other singers, she still sings effortlessly). Imagine - by 1977, she was 59 and she still puts singers singers half her age at 30 to shame. A very interesting CD in very mono sound. 5 stars for Nilsson's superb performances (her vocalism never fails to amaze me), for a fantastic variety of excerpts, for very mono sound, for the historical importance of this CD and for the incredible bargain price ... for 2 CDs.

If you are a 'historical' freak, buy this. If you are a Birgit Nilsson freak, buy this. If you are an opera freak, buy this. Even if you are not a freak, buy this!!

Average customer rating: Simply Sublime, especially for the price! Shattering version of Kindertotenlieder Vintage perfection

Mahler Lieder: Des Knaben Wunderhorn Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Mahler | Mahler, Gustav | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Contemporary | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra | ( B ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Fischer-Dieskau, Dietrich | ( F ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music London Philharmonic Orchestra | ( L ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Mahler, Gustav | M to P | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Mahler: Das Lied von der Erde Great Recordings Of The Century - Janet Baker Sings Mahler / Barbirolli, et al Great Recordings Of The Century - Schubert: Die Schone Mullerin / Fischer-Dieskau, Moore Des Knaben Wunderhorn Schubert: Schwanengesang; 4 Lieder ASIN: B00005AVMM Release Date: 2001-04-10

Tracks:

1. Lieder Eines Fahrenden Gesellen: I. Wenn Mein Schatz Hochzeit Macht - Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau
2. Lieder Eines Fahrenden Gesellen: II. Ging Heut Morgen Ubers Feld - Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau
3. Lieder Eines Fahrenden Gesellen: III. Ich Hab' Ein Gluhend' Messer - Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau
4. Lieder Eines Fahrenden Gesellen: IV. Die Zwei Blauen Augen Von Meinem Schatz - Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau
5. Kindertotenlieder: I. Nun Will Die Sonn' So Hell Aufgeh'n - Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau
6. Kindertotenlieder: II. Nun Seh' Ich Wolhl, Warum So Dunkle Flammen - Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau
7. Kindertotenlieder: III. Wenn Dein Mutterlein Tritt Zur Tur Herein - Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau
8. Kindertotenlieder: IV. Oft Denk' Ich, Sie Sind Nur Ausgegangen! - Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau
9. Kindertotenlieder: V. In Diesem Wetter, In Diesem Braus - Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau
10. 5 Gesange Aus 'Des Knaben Wunderhn': Das Irdische Leben - Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau/Daniel Barenboim
11. 5 Gesange Aus 'Des Knaben Wunderhn': Verlor'ne Muh - Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau/Daniel Barenboim
12. 5 Gesange Aus 'Des Knaben Wunderhn': Rheinlegenchen - Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau/Daniel Barenboim
13. 5 Gesange Aus 'Des Knaben Wunderhn': Lob Des Hohen Verstandes - Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau/Daniel Barenboim
14. 5 Gesange Aus 'Des Knaben Wunderhn': Trost Im Ungluck - Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau/Daniel Barenboim
15. 5 Ruckertlieder: I. Ich Atmet' Einen Linden Duft! - Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau/Daniel Barenboim
16. 5 Ruckertlieder: II. Liebst Du Um Schonheit - Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau/Daniel Barenboim
17. 5 Ruckertlieder: III. Blicke Mit Nicht In Die Lieder! - Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau/Daniel Barenboim
18. 5 Ruckertlieder: IV. Ich Bin Der Welt Abhanden Gekommen - Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau/Daniel Barenboim
19. 5 Ruckertlieder: V. Um Mitternacht - Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau/Daniel Barenboim

Customer Reviews:

Simply Sublime, especially for the price!.......2007-02-04

This CD reissue of Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau doing three of Mahler's suites of 'orchestral songs' is one of the finest side effects of the advent of the CD medium. To get these important works done by such a stellar performer for less than $12 is a wonder. At this price, one can easily have more than one performance of these pieces, even more than one by Fischer-Dieskau. I like Herr Dietrich doing Mahler much more than I like his Schubert or other earlier 'lieder' composers.

Shattering version of Kindertotenlieder.......2006-08-06

This is the version of "Kindertotenlieder" that I first heard while in college, and so far it remains my favorite (in my opinion the definitive) recording. All those involved -- Fischer-Dieskau, the orchestra and Maestro Kempe -- catch every nuance, but it is Mr. Fischer Dieskau's rendering of the text that makes it especially poignant. For example, in the third song "Wenn Dein Mutterlein Tritt Zur Tur Herein," the steadiness of the orchestra's rhythm contrasts exquisitely with the anguished English horn solo, and Fischer-Dieskau vivid protrays a grieving father, reminded at the most mundane moments in daily life of his child's absence. I actually can't listen to this recording too often, since on of my sisters died (many years ago) and it simply hits too close to home. The other pieces recorded, "Lieder Eines Fahrenden Gesellen," excerpts of "Des Knaben Wunderhorn" and the "Ruckertlieder" are equally well performed.

Vintage perfection.......2001-10-16

The Philharmonia Orchestra under Furtwangler accompany Fischer-Dieskau in the Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen, and these performances alone make this CD treasurable. The singing is fresh and involving, but the orchestral work really stands out - just perfect, and this from a conductor who allegedly didn't think too much of Mahler! The Kindertotenlieder are also beautifully done, this time with Kempe and the Berlin Philhamonic. The sound in both these vintage sessions (1953 & 1955) is simply phenomenal - the mellifluous tone and lack of digital harshness put no barriers between the listener and the performers. In fact, the later (1980) selections, where Fischer-Dieskau is accompanied by Barenboim on piano, are less pleasant in this respect as well as being, for mine, less memorable generally. Nevertheless for over forty minutes of sheer musical wonder this disc deserves its place in EMI's self-declared pantheon of great recordings.

Music Review:

1. Schobert: The Sonatas Opp 5 & 6
2. Scriabin, Prokofiev, Shostakovich
3. Shostakovich: Symphony Nos. 1 & 9/Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No.2/Mendelssohn: Fantasy In F/Rondo Capriccioso/Liszt:
4. Silver Screen Classics: Classical Selections From Blockbuster Movies [Soundtrack]
5. Silver Screen Classics, Vol. 10 [Box set] [Soundtrack]
6. Silver Screen Classics, Vol. 6 [Soundtrack]
7. Smetana: Ma Vlast / Dvorak: Scherzo capriccioso / Slavonic Rhapsody, Op. 45/3 / Grieg: Symphonic Dances / Old Norwegian Romance with Variations / Berglund
8. Stravinsky: Petrouchka/Circus Polka For A Young Elephant/Respighi: Ancient Airs And Dances
9. Stravinsky: The Rite of Spring; Apollon Musagète
10. Tchaikovsky, Prokofiev, Bartók: Piano Concertos

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