Lorin Maazel - Richard Strauss / Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra [Box set]

Track Listings
Disc: 1

1. Sinfonia Domestica - Thema I (Bewegt)

2. Sinfonia Domestica - Thema II (Sehr lebhaft)

3. Sinfonia Domestica - Thema III (Ruhig)

4. Sinfonia Domestica - Scherzo (Munter)

5. Sinfonia Domestica - Massig langsam (Wiegenlied)

See all 11 tracks on this disc
Disc: 2

1. Also sprach Zarathustra (Thus Spake Zarathustra) - Einleitung (Introduction)

2. Zarathustra - Von den Hinterweltlern (Of the People of the Unseen World)

3. Zarathustra - Von der grossen Sehnsucht (Of the Great Longing)

4. Zarathustra - Von den Freuden und Leidenschaften (Of Joys and Passions)

5. Zarathustra - Das Grablied (Dirge)

See all 11 tracks on this disc
Disc: 3

1. Till Eulenspiegels lustige Steiche (Till Eulenspiegel's Merry Pranks)

2. Ein Heldenleben (A Hero's Life) - Der Held (The Hero)

3. Heldenleben - Des Helden Widersacher (The Hero's Adversary)

4. Heldenleben - Des Helden Gefahrtin (The Hero's Companion)

5. Heldenleben - Des Helden Walstatt (The Hero's Battlefield)

See all 7 tracks on this disc
Disc: 4

1. Eine Alpensinfonie (An Alpine Symphony) - Nacht (Night)

2. Alpensinfonie - Sonnenaufgang (Sunrise)

3. Alpensinfonie - Der Anstieg (Ascent)

4. Alpensinfonie - Eintritt in den Wald (Entrance into the Forest)

5. Alpensinfonie - Wanderung neben dem Bache (Walking by the Brook)

See all 25 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Richard Strauss's gift for evocative musical description was uncanny, to the point where it was joked he could set even a grocery list or a pint of beer to music. In fact, his various tone poems--the form with which he first gained fame as a composer--actually develop an orchestral vocabulary to depict topics ranging from Nietzsche's Superman to a fierce storm on the Alps and a day in the life of a nuclear family. This set gathers Lorin Maazel's interpretations from the last few years (with perhaps the greatest tone poem of the whole canon, Don Quixote, still to come in a planned future recording). Maazel--currently music director of the Orchestra of the Bavarian Radio, an ensemble of high-powered soloists modeled on Toscanini's famous NBC orchestra--is returning to some of these works for his third take, and his vision seems to have clarified in particular for the vistas of Ein Heldenleben and the Alpine Symphony as for the idealistic poetry of Death and Transfiguration and Don Juan.

While these accounts don't achieve the degree of narrative thrust of Kempe's indispensable versions or the astonishing ensemble opulence of Karajan's Strauss, Maazel highlights his orchestra's solo prowess at every possible moment, and textures are often given a marvelous clarity. The feeling such technical perfection imparts can be distant, as in what should be the most fevered passages of Zarathustra. But Maazel brings a loving touch to the much-dismissed Domestic Symphony as well as conviction to the early Macbeth. And the orchestra's wizardry--particularly the winds--gives much pleasure, especially in the deftly humored account here of Till Eulenspiegel. Both Zarathustra and the Sinfonia Domestica are still available as single-CD issues, as well. --Thomas May

Tracks:

An Alpine Symphony, Op.64
Macbeth, Op.23 - Tone Poem After Shakespeare

Lorin Maazel - Richard Strauss / Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra

Average customer rating:

Kempe Vs. Maazel is closer than one would think
Very Good But Not Great Richard Strauss from Maazel
boring and over rated
Overall, the recordings well worth it!

Lorin Maazel - Richard Strauss / Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra
Richard Strauss , Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra , and Lorin Maazel
Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00000IYO1
Release Date: 1999-05-18

Tracks:

Sinfonia Domestica - Thema I (Bewegt)
Sinfonia Domestica - Thema II (Sehr lebhaft)
Sinfonia Domestica - Thema III (Ruhig)
Sinfonia Domestica - Scherzo (Munter)
Sinfonia Domestica - Massig langsam (Wiegenlied)
Sinfonia Domestica - Adagio (Langsam)
Sinfonia Domestica - Finale (Sehr lebhaft)
Tod und Verklarung (Death and Transfiguration)
Thus Spake Zarathustra, Op.30: Night Wanderer's Song
Rosenkavalier Ste, Op.59
Don Juan, Op.20

Tracks:

Also sprach Zarathustra (Thus Spake Zarathustra) - Einleitung (Introduction)
Zarathustra - Von den Hinterweltlern (Of the People of the Unseen World)
Zarathustra - Von der grossen Sehnsucht (Of the Great Longing)
Zarathustra - Von den Freuden und Leidenschaften (Of Joys and Passions)
Zarathustra - Das Grablied (Dirge)
Zarathustra - Von der Wissenschaft (Of Science)
Zarathustra - Der Genesende (The Convalescent)
Zarathustra - Das Tanzlied (Dance Song)
Zarathustra - Das Nachtwandlerlied (Night Wanderer's Song)
Rosenkavalier Suite
Don Juan

Tracks:

Till Eulenspiegels lustige Steiche (Till Eulenspiegel's Merry Pranks)
Ein Heldenleben (A Hero's Life) - Der Held (The Hero)
Heldenleben - Des Helden Widersacher (The Hero's Adversary)
Heldenleben - Des Helden Gefahrtin (The Hero's Companion)
Heldenleben - Des Helden Walstatt (The Hero's Battlefield)
Heldenleben - Des Helden Friedenswerke (The Hero's Works of Peace)
Heldenleben - Des Helden Weltflucht und Vollendung (The Hero's Flight from Reality and Fulfillment)

Tracks:

Eine Alpensinfonie (An Alpine Symphony) - Nacht (Night)
Alpensinfonie - Sonnenaufgang (Sunrise)
Alpensinfonie - Der Anstieg (Ascent)
Alpensinfonie - Eintritt in den Wald (Entrance into the Forest)
Alpensinfonie - Wanderung neben dem Bache (Walking by the Brook)
Alpensinfonie - Am Wasserfall (At the Waterfall)
Alpensinfonie - Erscheinung (Vision)
Alpensinfonie - Auf blumige Wiesen (To flowery Meadows)
Alpensinfonie - Auf der Alm (At the Alpine Meadow)
Alpensinfonie - Durch Dickicht und Gestrupp auf Irrwegen (Wandering through Thicket and Undergrowth)
Alpensinfonie - Auf dem Gletscher - On the Glacier
Alpensinfonie - Gefahrvolle Augenblicke (Dangerous Moments)
Alpensinfonie - Auf dem Gipfel (At the Summit)
Alpensinfonie - Vision
Alpensinfonie - Nebel steigen auf (Rising Mist)
Alpensinfonie - Die Sonne (The Sun)
Alpensinfonie - Elegie (Elegy)
Alpensinfonie - Stille vor dem Sturm (Calm before the Storm)
Alpensinfonie - Gewitter und Sturm, Abstieg (Thunderstorm, Descent)
Alpensinfonie - Sonnenuntergang (Sunset)
Alpensinfonie - Ausklang (Conclusion)
Alpensinfonie - Nacht (Night)
Macbeth - Allegro, un poco maestoso; Presto
Macbeth - Moderato maestoso
Macbeth - Allegro, un poco maestoso

Amazon.com

Richard Strauss's gift for evocative musical description was uncanny, to the point where it was joked he could set even a grocery list or a pint of beer to music. In fact, his various tone poems--the form with which he first gained fame as a composer--actually develop an orchestral vocabulary to depict topics ranging from Nietzsche's Superman to a fierce storm on the Alps and a day in the life of a nuclear family. This set gathers Lorin Maazel's interpretations from the last few years (with perhaps the greatest tone poem of the whole canon, Don Quixote, still to come in a planned future recording). Maazel--currently music director of the Orchestra of the Bavarian Radio, an ensemble of high-powered soloists modeled on Toscanini's famous NBC orchestra--is returning to some of these works for his third take, and his vision seems to have clarified in particular for the vistas of Ein Heldenleben and the Alpine Symphony as for the idealistic poetry of Death and Transfiguration and Don Juan.

While these accounts don't achieve the degree of narrative thrust of Kempe's indispensable versions or the astonishing ensemble opulence of Karajan's Strauss, Maazel highlights his orchestra's solo prowess at every possible moment, and textures are often given a marvelous clarity. The feeling such technical perfection imparts can be distant, as in what should be the most fevered passages of Zarathustra. But Maazel brings a loving touch to the much-dismissed Domestic Symphony as well as conviction to the early Macbeth. And the orchestra's wizardry--particularly the winds--gives much pleasure, especially in the deftly humored account here of Till Eulenspiegel. Both Zarathustra and the Sinfonia Domestica are still available as single-CD issues, as well. --Thomas May

Customer Reviews:

Kempe Vs. Maazel is closer than one would think.......2005-10-02

There are two competing sets at mid-to-budget price of the major orchestral works of Richard Strauss, this RCA set and the much more complete one from Kempe on EMI. Although the Kempe has been a darling of critics for decades, he wasn't in truth a major interpreter of these works, just a solid, unintrusive Kapellmeister type. None of his readings, with the possible exception of Don Quixote with Paul Tortelier as collo soloist, would rank as a first choce, but none are eccentric, either. Kempe's specialty was to find delicacy and refinement in works that often come off blantantly.

With Maazel we have a very intrusive interpreter who is ocnstantly fiddling with the details of Strauss's writing and who is apt at any moment to deliver a little shock by turning a phrase unexpectedly. At first I found this intrusiveness irritating, but Maazel is quite a technician. There is no doubt that he has ideas, agree with them or not. His Bavarian forces sound to me about as virtuosic as the Dresden Staatskepelle for Kempe. Maazel's set is in much better sound than Kempe's, demonstration quality, in fact. That counts for a lot in these splashy works. If only Maazel had given his musicians free rein to go over the top in climaxes, but the orgiastic isn't his style; being in total control is.

In the end, as the owner of both sets, I find about equl rewards in them, even though critics greatly favor the Kempe, a choice that doesn't seem completely valid to me unless you happen to want all the esoterica of Strauss's output.

Very Good But Not Great Richard Strauss from Maazel.......2002-12-28

Perhaps I'm a bit jaded, having heard exceptional accounts of some of Strauss's tone poems from the likes of Karajan and Sawallisch, but Maazel's Strauss tone poem cycle is simply a very well recorded, brilliantly performed set that offers few new insightful thoughts into either Strauss's musical intentions or Maazel's. Maazel does a great job emphasizing the rich orchestral textures of Strauss's scores, but rarely is it played with much conviction and warmth; notable exceptions include brilliant performances of Ein Alpensinfonie - although among the best, I still prefer Solti's glistening account with the Bavarian Radio Symphony - and Macbeth. However, fans of the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra will not be disappointed by their exquisite playing that is just as splendid as their peers in Berlin and Vienna. Yet if you are interested in profound, riveting accounts of Strauss's scores, I recommend listening to recordings by Previn and the Vienna Philharmonic, and Blomstedt and the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra, as well as those from Sawallisch and Karajan.

boring and over rated.......2000-05-11

I am a Lorin Maazel fan. I had no idea, however, that his R. Strauss tempi and balances were so boring. I was completely let down by these recordings. the only bonus was the recording technology they chose to employ, but overall, it was a total waist of time and money.

Overall, the recordings well worth it!.......1999-12-17

Lorin Maazel is not a neurotic conductor (nor was Richard Strauss the composer). Strauss had a tremendous gift of imaginative invention, vividness, and portrayal of the subjects and the heroes behind his symphonic poems. There's no doubt that Strauss took the ideas of Franz Liszt (the father of symphonic poems) and developed the genre further.

Lorin Maazel and the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra managed to achieve the balance in their performances and they sound as if they played the works out of admiration rather than anything else. Vividness, excitement, and commitment are all present in these recordings, especially of Eine Alpinesinfonie.

However, Strauss, though not a neurotic, was a composer of drama. Therefore, performances with drama will tend bring out more effectively the vividness, imaginative, and the descriptive ever so characteristic aspects of Strauss symphonic poems (and his operas). Maazel and the Bavarian were able to bring out those aspects of Strauss' works to some effectiveness. Their main drawback included too much emphasis on balance and not much on daringness. The climax of Death and Transfiguration, for example lacks the element of surprise Rudolf Kempe or Herbert von Karajan were able to portray. It is as if Maazel's performance with the Bavarian, though distinguished, conscientously tried to ignore the ruggedness so much a part of Strauss' tone poems (such as Ein Heldenlaben). Forget the meticulousness for a while, just tell us the story that will keep us awake and excited.

Tracks:

Also sprach Zarathustra, Op. 30 - Thus Spake Zarathustra - Ainsi parlait Zarathoustra: Introduction
Also sprach Zarathustra, Op. 30 - Thus Spake Zarathustra - Ainsi parlait Zarathoustra: Of the people of the Unseen World - Des habitants de l'arriere-monde
Also sprach Zarathustra, Op. 30 - Thus Spake Zarathustra - Ainsi parlait Zarathoustra: Of the Great Longing - De la grande nostalgie
Also sprach Zarathustra, Op. 30 - Thus Spake Zarathustra - Ainsi parlait Zarathoustra: Of Joys and Passions - Des joies et des passions
Also sprach Zarathustra, Op. 30 - Thus Spake Zarathustra - Ainsi parlait Zarathoustra: Dirge - Hymne funebre
Also sprach Zarathustra, Op. 30 - Thus Spake Zarathustra - Ainsi parlait Zarathoustra: Of Science - De la science
Also sprach Zarathustra, Op. 30 - Thus Spake Zarathustra - Ainsi parlait Zarathoustra: The Convalescent - La convalescence
Also sprach Zarathustra, Op. 30 - Thus Spake Zarathustra - Ainsi parlait Zarathoustra: Dance Song - Chant de la danse
Also sprach Zarathustra, Op. 30 - Thus Spake Zarathustra - Ainsi parlait Zarathoustra: Night Wanderer's Song - Chanson du veilleur
Rosenkavalier Suite, Op. 59: Rosenkavalier Suite, Op.59
Don Juan, Op. 20: Don Juan, Op.20

Customer Reviews:

Negligible performance with wonderful sonics.......2005-10-01

This daunting cover photo with a scowling Maazel has lost its point--on earlier releases, his hands, now shown normally, used to be electric blue! That was to connote the magic he transmitted through them, a la Stokowski, I suppose. As it turns out, the sound on this RCA release is excellent in terms of detail and impact, but I don't hear any magic form the podium.

Maazel takes a faceless,, uninolving approach to Also Sprach Zarathustra, and no amount of sonic wizardry can compensate for that. I think anyone might enjoy this reading, but for real magic, turn to Blomstedt on Decca, where the amazing sonics serve a much more passionate performance.

Wonderful performances with incredible sonics!.......2004-05-31

These Strauss masterpieces have never received better modern performances. The Bavarian Radio Symphony is first rate and Lorin Maazel seems to be supercharged as he leads them through these masterworks. These are highly recommended in the Peguin Guide and I couldn't agree more. They are very passionate and exciting performances.

Hummm..........2002-08-13

A nice attempt to create a surround sound experience for the listener. There is a reason no one has done a review on this album - because it is not worth listening to. From the opening measures, the tone produced from this cd is bright enough to light a dark room. It has a "sizzle" quality that lends itself to abrassive fortissimo and takes away from all the lush sweeping qualities of the Strauss tone poems. There is pretty much one color to this entire CD, and that is bright neon yellow. The Bavarian symphony does a fine job of playing these technically difficult piece, but there is a sporatic rushed quality that should be replaced with a warm energetic quality. Some of the balance is really off too. Soloists can appear far in the distance and there is not much lower depth to the sound. My gift of two stars is overly generous.

R. Strauss: Don Quixote, Romance for Cello and Orchestra

Average customer rating:

Strauss's mad knight sallies forth on four cylinders
Great performances. Recording flawed.
Really evocative music, perfect playing, a great recording

R. Strauss: Don Quixote, Romance for Cello and Orchestra
Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks
Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Mahler: Symphonies 1-10; Das Lied von der Erde
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ASIN: B00005K3PS
Release Date: 2001-08-21

Tracks:

Don Quixote: Introduktion
Don Quixote: Thema
Don Quixote: Variation 1
Don Quixote: Variation 2
Don Quixote: Variation 3
Don Quixote: Variation 4
Don Quixote: Variation 5
Don Quixote: Variation 6
Don Quixote: Variation 7
Don Quixote: Variation 8
Don Quixote: Variation 9
Don Quixote: Variation 10
Don Quixote: Finale
Romance For Cello & Orchestra in F major
Sonata For Cello & Pianoforte in F major, Op. 6: Allegro con brio
Sonata For Cello & Pianoforte in F major, Op. 6: Andante ma non troppo
Sonata For Cello & Pianoforte in F major, Op. 6: Finale. Allegro vivo

Amazon.com

Strauss's tone poem has had several outstanding performances over the years. Here's another one, powered by Steven Isserlis's sensitive interpretation of the conflicted Don. Most performances feature proficient cellists who play with the tonal and technical resources the part requires, but few feature playing that so completely characterizes the title character, with all his mad dreams, obsessiveness, conflicts, and regrets. Isserlis's Sancho Panza, violist Hermann Menninghaus, matches him, and Maazel elicits elegant, sensitive playing from his Bavarian band, including some delicious mimicry in the variation with the bleating sheep and wonderful solo turns by the wind players and the concertmaster. This orchestra's ripe, central-European sound is made for Strauss and is especially apt in this work. The fillers include two youthful pieces, a salon confection with orchestra and the seldom-heard Sonata, deftly played by Isserlis and Stephen Hough. But the Don's the prime attraction, and it's a beaut. --Dan Davis

Customer Reviews:

Strauss's mad knight sallies forth on four cylinders.......2006-06-10

Maazel recorded most of Strauss's major orchestral works for RCA with his Bavarian Radio orchestra, the great attraction being state-of-the-art sonics. That's certainly the case here--this recording boasts enormous dynamic range and crystal-clear detail. Every instrument sounds natural and evokes its real color and timbre. I doubt there's another Don Quixote to compare with it.

Though he is recorded larger than life, Isserlis doesn't put on a bravura performance in the vein of Rostropovich. It's difficult to find a niche in the era of superstar cellists, and Isserlis goes the other way, preferring modest, even self-effacing musicianship. Maazel underplays the splashy orchestral part, so all in all, this performance seems overly cautious. I'm not sure Strauss wanted the mad Don to be sedate, but he's certainly sensitive and accurately played. After one listen, I think my only reason to return would be the sonics.

Great performances. Recording flawed........2005-10-12

[...]I have to turn up the volume so high to hear the soft passages, then turn it down again when the music gets louder. It really spoils the enjoyment. Even at very high settings, the subtle details are practically inaudible.

Too bad, since I like Maazel's and Isserlis's interpretations very much.

It might just be my equipment, though it is very competent. So I recommend buying this CD, but keep your receipt.

Really evocative music, perfect playing, a great recording.......2003-11-19

You can't go wrong with this recording of the Don Quixote. Isserlis delivers another perfect recording, with such unflinching attention to artistic detail you can hardly help but weep. It would be hard even to conceive of music that is more evocative of Quixote's misadventures with bleating sheep, battling windmills, and Benedictine monks. But, despite all the high-tech special orchestral effects, the story's touching heart is never compromised.

Tracks:

Sinf Domestica, Op.53: Thema I
Sinf Domestica, Op.53: Thema II
Sinf Domestica, Op.53: Thema III
Sinf Domestica, Op.53: Scherzo
Sinf Domestica, Op.53: Massig Langsam
Sinf Domestica, Op.53: Adagio
Sinf Domestica, Op.53: Fianale
Death And Transfiguration, Op.24

Lorin Maazel: Conducts Richard Strauss [Audio CD] Also Sprach Zarathustra

Average customer rating:

Lorin Maazel: Conducts Richard Strauss [Audio CD] Also Sprach Zarathustra

Manufacturer: BMG Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B000MC7R6G

Product Description

A Sonic Spectacular, in lush Dolby Surround sound, of Richard Strauss's most popular and splendorous works.

Strauss: Till Eulenspiegel; Ein Heldenleben

Average customer rating:

Crystal clear sound of a boring recording

Strauss: Till Eulenspiegel; Ein Heldenleben

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0002VYE1S
Release Date: 2004-10-12

Customer Reviews:

Crystal clear sound of a boring recording.......2005-01-21

These two orchestral showpieces should be nothing short of thrilling. Lorin Maazel's wonderful technique and penchant for orchestral refinement takes these musical gems and removes all the luster and glow. These are highly polished, crystal clear recordings that are played wonderfully. Yet, the puckish charm of Till Eulenspiegel is missing and the over-indulgent glory of Heldenleben is gone. Buy this CD only if you are interested in Maazel's interpretations, which, in my opinion, are slow, dynamically uninteresting, and odd in their lack of charm.

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1. Sinfonia Domestica - Thema I (Bewegt)
2. Sinfonia Domestica - Thema II (Sehr lebhaft)
3. Sinfonia Domestica - Thema III (Ruhig)
4. Sinfonia Domestica - Scherzo (Munter)
5. Sinfonia Domestica - Massig langsam (Wiegenlied)

1. Also sprach Zarathustra (Thus Spake Zarathustra) - Einleitung (Introduction)
2. Zarathustra - Von den Hinterweltlern (Of the People of the Unseen World)
3. Zarathustra - Von der grossen Sehnsucht (Of the Great Longing)
4. Zarathustra - Von den Freuden und Leidenschaften (Of Joys and Passions)
5. Zarathustra - Das Grablied (Dirge)

1. Till Eulenspiegels lustige Steiche (Till Eulenspiegel's Merry Pranks)
2. Ein Heldenleben (A Hero's Life) - Der Held (The Hero)
3. Heldenleben - Des Helden Widersacher (The Hero's Adversary)
4. Heldenleben - Des Helden Gefahrtin (The Hero's Companion)
5. Heldenleben - Des Helden Walstatt (The Hero's Battlefield)

1. Eine Alpensinfonie (An Alpine Symphony) - Nacht (Night)
2. Alpensinfonie - Sonnenaufgang (Sunrise)
3. Alpensinfonie - Der Anstieg (Ascent)
4. Alpensinfonie - Eintritt in den Wald (Entrance into the Forest)
5. Alpensinfonie - Wanderung neben dem Bache (Walking by the Brook)