Wagner Portrait

Editorial Reviews
Album Details
Ddd. Since his Spectacular Debut at the Bayreuth Festival in 1997 as Walter Von Stolzing in Die Meistersinger, Robert Dean Smith is Singing in the World's Leading Opera Houses and Concert Halls.

Tracks:

Buxtehude: Fanfare - Adolph Herseth/Vincent Cichowicz/William Scarlett/Charles Geyer/Dale Clevenger/Jay Friedman...
We Are Enormously Complex
Hn Con No.1 in E flat: 1st Movt: Allegro
Hn Con No.1 in E flat: 2nd Movt: Andante
Hn Con No.1 in E flat: 3rd Movt: Allegro
The Musician Plays The Instrument
Playing For The Audience
Programming The Brain
Czardas
Carnival Of Venice
Con: 1st Movt
Etude No.24
'Czardas' With The Metronome
This Is An Art Form
We Play By Song And Wind
Canzon Per Sonare No.2 - Adolph Herseth/Vincent Cichowicz/Dale Clevenger/Jay Friedman/Arnold Jacobs
Lohengrin: King Heinrich's Call (Exc) - Jay Friedman/Arnold Jacobs
Sym Fantastique: Dies Irae
Become A Singer In Your Brain
There Must Be A Source Of Vibration
Breath As A Motor Force
Sonatine: 1st Movt: Allegro Vivo - Adolph Herseth/Vincent Cichowicz/Richard Oldberg/Frank Crisafulli/Arnold Jacobs
Sonatine: 2nd Movt: Andante Ma Non Troppo - Adolph Herseth/Vincent Cichowicz/Richard Oldberg/Frank Crisafulli/Arnold Jacobs
Sonatine: 3rd Movt: Allegro Vivo - Adolph Herseth/Vincent Cichowicz/Richard Oldberg/Frank Crisafulli/Arnold Jacobs
Sonatine: 4th Movt: Largo; Allegro - Adolph Herseth/Vincent Cichowicz/Richard Oldberg/Frank Crisafulli/Arnold Jacobs
Keeping Music As An Art Form
Breathe To Expand
F Tuba Demonstration With Berlioz
Romeo And Juliet (Exc) - Chicago SO/Carlo Maria Giulini
Con: 2nd Movt (Exc) - Chicago SO/Fritz Reiner
Petrouchka (Exc) - Chicago SO/James Levine
Sym No.4: 1st Movt (Exc) - Chicago SO/Jean Martinon
Sym No.4: 1st Movt (Exc) - Chicago SO/Daniel Barenboim
The Key For Communicating In Music
Pictures At An Exhibition: The Great Gate Of Kiev (Exc) - Chicago SO/Fritz Reiner

Customer Reviews:

Jacobs was overrated.......2005-09-28

Arnold Jacobs was a brilliant man who could have succeeded in practically any profession. He was also a fine musical pedagogue, judging from his verbal insights on this CD with respect to the human body as a musical instrument. Yet, I am amazed that he rose to the rank of tubist in a world-class orchestra such as the Chicago Symphony. Frankly, I found his tone quality uninspiring, although he had fine techinque. I have heard at least half a dozen tubists whose tone is far more pleasing musically. Among the bassmen/women of the world, Jacobs has become a semi-divine entity. I believe that he has been somewhat overrated as a result. I felt that his verbal commentaries were highly educational; I was disappointed by his playing overall.

The Great Arnold Jacobs Captured on C.D........2005-04-02

This is a prolific set of audio that captures the historical sound of Arnold Jacobs' playing and teaching. I bought this C.D. because I wanted to explore the limits and capabilities of a tuba player so that I could see if playing music on the tuba was for me. This C.D. banished any doubt that I had about the ability of a tuba player to achieve at the utmost musical level. I have never meet Mr. Jacobs in real life, but this C.D. made me feel as if I was in a master class or recital hall listening to him myself. I would recommend this C.D. to anyone who loves music. As Arnold Jacbos said " It's not about the tuba, it's about music".

arnold jacobs.......2001-05-16

This cd tries to capture arnold jacobs: a prolific teacher, player and above all a great man. while listening, you'll discover the ideals, the methods and ideas that made arnold jacobs the best tuba player that there'll probably ever be. The more complex issues and artistry of brass playing are explained in simple words and sayings. a great deal of jacobs' lectures is also given, and you can also see the importance of understanding the functioning of other body units that help us trough our playing (the brain). a great disc, highly recommended, not only for tuba players, but for all brass players.

inspiring technician musician artist.......2000-09-01

Cannot agree more,this is a wonderful exposition of Jacobs the teacher,for he had developed working concepts any wind player could adopt.His studio in the Fine Arts Building in Chicago was like a mecca for all wind players coming to Jacobs to resolve some deep-rooted performing problem. As he says( my paraphrasing) " they get tied up in knots,worrying about all the motions of the lip. . .you can't think about all those motions for they are thousands of motions from the brain to engage in performing a brass instrument "

As a brass player myself,(trombone & tuba) I have always sensed we have little repertoire to play of any interest,but Jacobs in a lecture here reveals this problem and one way to solve it, is to consciously search for things to play,like an aria from Puccini,or a particular non-tuba passage,to duplicate it,a piano or violin solo. What this approach implies is then for the brass player to develop skills as a consummate musician/ virtuoso,for you are forever challenged then to expand your repertoire endlessly,as much as the instrument or your technique will allow. I now find myself playing Chopin Preludes(Eb-minor,B-minor melodies only) on the trombone,and contrabass orchestral excerpts or trumpet etudes on the tuba,and Jacobs encourages tuba players to learn to read treble clef to be able to read any melody.

There are wonderful examples here from all genres in music from solo etudes in his studio to Berlioz and Wagner excerpts, solo and within the context of the orchestra. It all reveals the seemless consistent sound Jacobs was able to summon from his York tuba. Every attach was uniform,every tone even and pure,at least that is what he heard in his ear. That's another Jacobs credo,you have to have the sound in your head,what do you want your listener to hear. You command that.

The Bozza Sonatine(brass quintet) is also a wonderful performance of great brass music,great use of colours and entrances,breaking down the quintet into smaller duets and trios.This all with Chicago Symphony players makes it all the more interesting,a vintage performance from 1966.I recall those days where solo brass was considered an oddity,and unaccompanied solos even more so.

Jacob's sound should remain in your mind's hearing to duplicate it. Eugene Pokorny (Jacob's Chicago Symphony successor) also provides insightful interesting notes here.

Arnold Jacobs - Icon of education and performance.......2000-08-23

Amazing! For the students who studied directly with Arnold Jacobs, "Protrait of an Artist" will take you back to his studio, sitting right next to him. This excellent collection of lectures (lessons) and demonstrations are a fantastic embodiment of Arnold Jacobs' concepts and teachings. It is certainly a must for any music performer or educator. From the samples of CSO performances at the end of this CD to the practice tapes, the music on this CD is truely inspirational.

Average customer rating:

The best is wonderful, but there are a few duds
Beautiful Voice, Bad Choices
A Great Showcase of Hampson's Voice and Artistry
Comprehensive coverage of Hampson's range in song

Thomas Hampson - A Portrait

Manufacturer: EMI
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

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4-for-3 Opera & Vocal | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Leading Man
The Very Best of Thomas Hampson
Christmas with Thomas Hampson
Song of America

ASIN: B000024D1I
Release Date: 1997-01-01

Customer Reviews:

The best is wonderful, but there are a few duds.......2006-07-17

No portrait of a singer can satisfy all cmers, so EMI has shrugged its shoulders and tossed a bit of everything into the pot. (Without including any bonus tracks, one should note.) Hampson is without a doubt the successor to Fischer-Dieskau as the world's most famous operatic baritone. His strengths, like F-D's, are in song, especially American song. Seven of the 19 cuts here are American songs, which isn't enough. We don't really need Hampson's rather plodding and earnest Viennese operetta aria, nor his duet, "Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Better" with the shrill Kim Criswell (to tell the truth, neither does very well). Two small slivers from Schumann's Dichterlieve cycle seems rather silly, too.

But that leaves a lot that's wonderful--all the American selections, the Rossini and Liszt songs, the aria form Korngold's Die Tote Stadt, and above all Hampson's rollicking, let-'er-rip rendition of Figaro's aria form the Barber of Seville. If this omnium gatherum entices listeners to bu the complete recordings, it will serve a very good purpose.

Beautiful Voice, Bad Choices.......2003-11-25

Short and Sweet.

I love listening to this beautiful baritone's voice, but I really don't like his choice of songs on this album. Beautiful Dreamer is so hackneyed and I can't stand to listen to it (also why I didn't buy the Stephen Foster album). I did like is choice of two classic lieder by Schumann. I would have chosen more lieder for a different album, he does great things with it. The Live recording of Largo al factotum from Barber is distracting with audience claps and poor mics for the recording. You can hear him walking away from the mics (fading in and out). The absolute worst choice is "Anything You Can Do" from Annie Get Your Gun. It sounds nice but I hate this song. The rest of the songs swing from Sappy awful to beautifully sung.

Bottom Line: Inconsistent and Not worth your money. He can do much better

A Great Showcase of Hampson's Voice and Artistry.......2002-02-23

Thomas Hampson is definitely one of the greatest artists on today's musical scene. This CD displays the beauty of Hampson's voice and the intelligence and artistry that he brings to a great variety of musical styles (German, French and Italian Opera; Italian, French and German art song, and American music). Among the highlights are the first selection, the beautiful "Mein Sehnen, mein Wähnen" from DIE TOTE STADT by Korngold, sung with great control and melting pianissimos. The same can be said of the aria from TANNHAUSER. His live "Largo al Factotum" from IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA is just virtuosistic, with effortless high notes (even a cadenza up to high C) and energetic vocal acting. In the art songs he is no less impressive, with total involvement in the style and mood of the songs, being particularly impressive "Oh, quand je dors" by Lizt. The American repertoire is also a delight. Hampson displays all kind of nuances for this repertoire, from the estatic quality of "Beautiful Dreamer" to the humor and bawdiness of "Where Is The Life that Late I Led". In summary, this is a delightful and eclectic souvenir from one of the most charismatic and intelligent singers of our time.

Comprehensive coverage of Hampson's range in song.......2001-11-01

This EMI disc, "Thomas Hampson, Portrait" is an excellent example of the wide range of this melliflous baritone. From the first German aria, Korngold's "Mein Sehnen, mein Wahnen" one of my personal favourites, to Jerome Kern's "The Last Time I saw Paris" you have great variety of opera, lieder and popular song offering you examples of Hampson's great talent. Buy and enjoy! Jill Whitburn

Average customer rating:

Not excellent, but nice listening

Artist Portrait: Plácido Domingo

Manufacturer: Warner Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Requiems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0002IQNP6
Release Date: 2004-08-10

Tracks:

Se Quel Guerrier Io Fossi... Celeste Aida (Radames)
Recitar!... Vesti La Giubba (Canio)
E Lucevan Le Stelle (Cavaradossi)
O Dolci Mani (Cavaradossi)
Ingemisco (Dies Irae)
La Dolcissima Effigie (Maurizio)
Piensa En Mi (Arr. Bebu Silvetti)
Granada (Arr. Bebu Silvetti)
Solamente Una Vez (Arr. Bebu Silvetti)
Arrancame La Vida (Arr. Jose Colangelo)
La Marseillaise (Arr. Hector Berlioz)
La Fleur Que Tu M'Avais Jetee (Don Jose)
C'est Toi?... C'est Moi! (Don Jose)
Ma Se M'e Forza Perdierti (Riccardo)
Wintersturme Wichen Dem Wonnemond (Siegmund)
Nessun Dorma! (Calaf)

Customer Reviews:

Not excellent, but nice listening.......2005-01-13

This isn't the greatest of Domingo's albums that I own, but its provides for some good easy listening.
Some of the bigger arias like Nessun Dorma and Elucevan le stelle are slightly breathy, I think perhaps these recording were made when the tenor was slightly older than the recodring I'm used to. However the redition of Granada(slightly tacky but fun nonetheless) and the couple other spanish operetta or zarzuela type songs are very pleasant.
This was a decent buy.

Average customer rating:

A must for Bruno Walter fans!
Essential recordings
Over-priced, under-powered, and incomplete
Great Presentation for Great Performances

Famous Mahler & Bruckner Symphonies

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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Te Deum | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

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Similar Items:

Mahler: Symphonies 1-10; Das Lied von der Erde
Bruckner: Symphony No. 4 / Karl Böhm
Mahler: Das Lied von der Erde
Beethoven, Sibelius: Violin Concertos
Brahms: Symphonies Nos. 2 & 3

ASIN: B0002CHK9A
Release Date: 2004-06-29

Tracks:

I. Langsam. Schleppend. Wie Ein Naturlaut. Im Anfang Sehr Gemachlich
II. Kraftig Bewegt, Doch Nicht Zu Schnell
III. Feierlich Und Gemessen, Ohne Zu Schleppen
IV. Sturmisch Bewegt - Energisch

Tracks:

I. Allegro Maestoso - Westminster Choir
II. Andante Moderato - Westminster Choir
III. (Scherzo). In Ruhig Fliessender Bewegung - Westminster Choir
IV. 'Urlicht.' Sehr Feierlich, Aber Schlicht - Westminster Choir
V. In Tempo Des Scherzos. Wild Herausfahrend - Westminster Choir

Tracks:

I. Bedachtig. Nicht Eilen - Desi Halban
II. In Gemachlicher Bewegung. Ohne Hast - Desi Halban
III. Ruhevoll - Desi Halban
IV. Sehr Behaglich - Desi Halban

Tracks:

I. Trauermarsch. In Gemessenem Schritt. Streng. Wie Ein Kondukt
II. Sturmisch Bewegt. Mit Grosster Vehemenz
III. Scherzo. Kraftig, Nicht Zu Schnell
IV. Adagietto. Sehr Langsam
V. Rondo-Finale. Allegro

Tracks:

Errinerung
Scheiden Und Meiden
Nicht Wiedersehen!
Ich Ging Mit Lust Durch Einen Grunen Wald
Ablosung Im Sommer
Hans Und Grethe
Starke Einbildungskraft
Starke Einbildungskraft
Wenn Mein Schatz Hochzeit Macht - Mildred Miller
Ging Heut Morgen Ubers Feld - Mildred Miller
Ich Hab Ein Gluhend Messer - Mildred Miller
Die Zwei Blauen Augen Von Meinem Schatz - Mildred Miller

Tracks:

I. Andante Comodo
II. In Tempo Eines Gemachlichen Landlers. Etwas Tappisch Und Sehr Derb
III. Rondo-Burleske. Allegro Assai. Sehr Trotzig

Tracks:

IV. Adagio. Sehr Langsam Und Noch Zuruckhaltend
A Working Portrait
A Talking Portrait

Tracks:

I. Das Trinklied Vom Jammer Der Erde. Allegro Pesante - Ernst Haefliger
II. Der Einsame In Herbst. Etwas Schleichend. Ermudet - Ernst Haefliger
III. Von Der Jugend. Behaglich Heiter - Ernst Haefliger
IV. Von Der Schonheit. Comodo. Dolcissimo - Ernst Haefliger
V. Der Trunkene Im Fruhling. Allegro - Ernst Haefliger
VI. Der Abschied. Schwer - Ernst Haefliger

Tracks:

I. Bewegt, Nicht Zu Schnell
II. Andante Quasi Allegretto
III. Scherzo. Bewegt - Trio. Nicht Zu Schnell. Keinesfalls Schleppend - Scherzo
IV. Finale. Bewegt, Doch Nicht Zu Schnell

Tracks:

Overture & Bacchanale (Venusburg Music) - The Occidental College Concert Choir
Prelude To Act I
Overture
Prelude To Act I
Good Friday Music (Karfreitagszauber)

Tracks:

I. Allegro Moderato
II. Adagio. Sehr Feierlich Und Sehr Langsam
III. Scherzo. Sehr Schnell
IV. Finale. Bewegt, Doch Nicht Schnell

Tracks:

Overture To Act I
Siegfried
Bruno Walter Rehearses The Siegfried

Tracks:

I. Feierlich, Misterioso
II. Scherzo: Bewegt, Lebhaft - Trio. Schnell
III. Adagio. Langsam, Feierlich
I. Te Deum. Allegro Moderato
II. Te Ergo. Moderato
III. Aeterna Fac. Allegro. Moderato. Feierlich, Mit Kraft
IV. Salvum Fac. Moderato
Per Singulos Dies Benedicimus Te. Allegro Moderato
V. In Te, Domine, Speravi. MaBig Bewegt
In Te, Domine, Speravi. Fuge. Im Gleichen GemaBigten Tempo - Alla Breve

Customer Reviews:

A must for Bruno Walter fans!.......2007-06-30

Sony's "Original jacket edition" of Bruno Walter's recordings of Mahler, Bruckner and Wagner is a must for his fans. Walter (1876-1962) recorded many works in stereo for Columbia records in the 1957-61 time frame, some of which are included here: Mahler Symphonies 1, 2, 9; Bruckner Symphonies 4, 7, 9; Mahler's song cycle "Das lied von der erde" ; and Wagner Overtures and Preludes, Siegfried Idyll, and rehearsal of Siegfried Idyll. Walter conducts the New York Philharmonic in Mahler 2, Das Lied...; and the Columbia Symphony (Los Angeles, California) in Mahler 1 and 9; the Bruckner items and Wagner Overtures and preludes. Also included in this collection are Walter's earlier New York Philharmonic (mono) recordings of Mahler's Symphony 4 (1945) and Symphony 5 (1947) + lieder with Desi Halban, accompanied by Walter at the piano.
This is the only current release of Walter's Wagner Overtures and Preludes, which sound terrific: I bought this for those items alone.

Walter studied with Gustav Mahler (1860-1911) and knew him well from 1894 until Mahler's untimely death in 1911. Walter was age 18-35 at the time, and though not considered the only authoritative voice of interpretation of Mahler's orchestral works by everyone, he knew the Mahler personally, which says ALOT to me!

Sound in all the stereo recordings is excellent, and very good in the mono
Mahler 4 and 5. Walter's sense of line and climax are un-erring, and I always feel great after listening to these recordings. They have a "This is the way it should be" feel about them.

The CD jackets are mini reproductions of the original LP covers, and add a nice feel to the collection. There is ALOT of music here for the money, even if buying this means duplicating some of Walter's recordings from his earlier Odyssey and Bruno Walter Edition (Sony Classical) releases. Highly recommended.

Essential recordings.......2007-03-11

This somewhat over-priced but essential box contains a collection of Bruno Walter's Columbia recordings of Gustav Mahler's symphonies, nos. 1 (stereo), 2 (stereo), 4 (mono), 5 (mono), 9 (stereo), and Das Lied von der Erde (stereo). In addtion, we find a sample of Walter's Mahler symphony 9 rehearsal, a short Walter-Michaelis discussion on Mahler, and a selection of Mahler's Lieder und Gesänge aus der Jugendzeit (mono) with Walter at the piano, next to Desi Halban.

It collects also Walter's recordings of some of the Bruckner symphonies, nos. 4, 7, 9, and the Te Deum (all in stereo).

Finally, there are also some of Walter's recordings of Wagner music included - some overtures and introductions, the Good Friday Music from Parsifal, and a wonderful Siegfried Idyll (all in stereo).

All this stuff has already been available in separate sets, but some of them are out of print.

There is a much cheaper way to get the Mahler recordings: they have, with the exception of Das Lied von der Erde, been released in a bargain "Columbia Legends" box ($37.99). But the Das Lied von der Erde - the present box include the excellent Columbia stereo version with Haefliger and Miller - is out of print in the US and Europe. It is, however, available in Japan for 1.895 yen, so check amazon.jp if you look for that recording only.

Perhaps not a must for every serious collector, then, considering the high price. But all the recordings are essential, and the use of the original LP-covers is attractive (I have always considered the plastic CD-cases as a complete mistake: they take too much shelf space), even if the box that collects them is one half inch too thick. You get Walter's groundbreaking mono recordings of Mahler's fourth and fifth, in fine transfers and original covers, coupled with his excellent stereo recordings from the early sixties, all of which still must be seen as reference recordings. This holds for the Bruckner recordings as well. This box is presently the easiest and shelf-space saving way to get them all. So I recommend buying it used, at a more reasonable price.

Over-priced, under-powered, and incomplete.......2005-11-26

Sony Music USA must be dedicated to the notion that in a crisis -- and classical CD sales are in a crisis, as their numbers (and the available retail outlets in which to sell them) spiral downward -- one shouldn't just stand there, but DO something. In this instance, with The Original Jackets Collection: Bruno Walter/Famous Mahler and Bruckner Symphonies, they've tried to do something, sort of. But as is usually the case with Sony Music in America, they've done it half-assed. The whole "original jackets" concept seems to be an effort to emulate what several Japanese labels have done with considerable success, reselling long-established classic recordings by artists ranging from Erroll Garner to Elvis Presley in miniature LP sleeve packaging, usually with state-of-the-art digital sound (20 bit/K2 and 24-bit mastering are the twin standards in Japan); Sony-Japan has done it with considerable success on artists such as Miles Davis and Al Kooper. So the US "original jackets" series was co-opting a Japanese success, but not really -- the series is totally inconsistent when it comes to upgrading sound, which is a major part of the allure of the Japanese mini-LPs; the Szell Beethoven entry was upgraded from the previously existing CD issues in the US, for example, but the Bernstein entry uses the same masters that one can get on the existing US CDs; and the same goes for the Walter set. To top it off, Sony-Japan includes a mini-inner sleeve to protect its discs with each mini-LP, whereas Sony's US division apparently likes the idea of discs rolling out of the double-LP mini-jackets and otherwise getting scratched and damaged -- but they still charge a premium price per disc on these releases.
And the Walter box, in addition to simply re-packaging the same masters that have been available for a lot less money since 1996, isn't even complete when it comes to the conductor's Mahler recordings for the label -- where is his 1955 mono Mahler Symphony No. 1 with the New York Philharmonic? There are other mono and stereo recordings in here with the Philharmonic as well as the Columbia Symphony Orchestra, and a perfectly good master of the "missing" performance exists, as it was used in the Masterworks Heritage CD release (which also used the mini-LP concept, a little differently) about eight years ago. Additionally, at least one of the performances here, of the Bruckner 9th, has been upgraded in a separate release, using Sony's DSD technology -- why not at least include that, and why not upgrade the entire body of music, if they expect us to buy it anew? That's how it's done in Japan, whence this whole idea originated. In fact, since Sony is bent on trying to sell Super-Audio CD technology, why not bump these up to that technology as hybrid discs? The answer is that they did it on the cheap. It's a handsome looking box, to be sure, and some of the old cover art was worth reviving (and others, such as for the Mahler 5th, much less so), but it's not worth the $150 list price by a long shot, which was why this listener traded for a used copy.

Great Presentation for Great Performances.......2004-08-10

First off, avid collectors may already have many of these Bruno Walter recordings in their possession so take note of what you have and see if you want to duplicate your collection....I for one had no problem doing so because I felt that the early Sony transfers of many of these great performances were not up to par as the sound quality is greatly improved in these performances to make it a worthwhile investment for me....mind you, these recordings are mono and early stereo, so we are not talking about high fidelity here, but the older performances are not hampered by the sound quality... Bruno Walter, who knew Gustav Mahler personally, provides some of the finest accounts of Mahler's symphonies...Walter concentrated his conducting on the symphonies presented here, as he was not one to perform the 3rd, 6th, 7th and 8th, frequently, if at all...but what you are getting will demonstrate the clean lines, and sensible tempi that many later day conductors ignored...Das Lied Von Der Erde is an excellent account, and it is a treat to have Walter as an accompianist at the piano for a selction of Mahler' songs....Walter's granatic Bruckner is also included and it was a clever move by the producers of this set to include the Te Deum on the same disc as the Symphony #9... Bruckner was never able to complete the fourth movement of his 9th Symphony and so he had authorized the use of his Te Deum to serve as a final movement to the work...Now most people will agree that the 3 movement unfinished symphony is excellent in it's own right, and there was really no need to go beyond the fantastic and heavenly Adagio that closes the work, but having the Te Deum follow, allows you to experience what Bruckner consented to as an alternative...hey, you can always exclude the track if you so desire....the addition of the Te Deum to this collection shows that record producers do listen to criticism....when the first releases of the ORIGINAL JACKET series came out, they adhered to the concept to the letter, which resulted in most of the CD's being very short in playing time..this was roundly booed by some circles who felt that the editions were too expensive, for reissues, to begin with, and the short playing times made the matter worse...afterall, an LP can only hold about an hour of music, so the duplicate CD's were lacking at least 25-30 minutes of music...this reissue of Bruno Walter's Mahler and Bruckner recordings therefore provides a number of bonus tracks of Richard Wagner's music, including a 45 minute rehearsal of Bruno Walter performing the Siegfried Idyll (he speaks in English)....Of course the Original LP Jackets are great to see again and re-reading the liner notes (though not easy with the small print) was informative....one forgets how a single symphony could take 2 lps to house when we are so used to having everything on 1 cd... A note of caution!...the CD's stored in the 2 album sets are very loosely held within the cardboard case..if you are not careful, the cd's can roll out of the album case and find themselves landing in the kitty litter, boiling soup, or toilet, so keep this in mind when you handle the albums... So, should you buy this set?...If you have these performances in your collection then the obvious answer is no, unless you are like me, someone who likes to renew the packaging and sound quality of what I have, and sell off any dupes...If you are new to the Walter experience regarding Mahler, Bruckner, and Wagner, and you are not concerned about the price, then by all means you will not be disappointed by this set, as it will sit comfortably, as an alternate, next to the ultra passionate Bernstein's Mahler and other worldly experience of Giulini's Bruckner....if you are concerned about the price, you can avoid what some may call the "bells and whistles" of an overpriced set, and seek out these same performances separately for less money....Recommended as a specialty item but higly recommended none the less!

Average customer rating:

A Portrait of Ernst Gruber

Manufacturer: Ponto [Mitridate]
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Czech | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000A1IMS6
Release Date: 2005-07-26

Cheryl Studer: A Portrait: Arias by Strauss, Wagner, Gounod, Mozart, Bellini, and Verdi

Average customer rating:

Cheryl Studer: A Portrait: Arias by Strauss, Wagner, Gounod, Mozart, Bellini, and Verdi
Cheryl Studer , Wolfgang Sawallisch , Michel Plasson , Riccardo Muti , Gabriele Ferro , Bernard Haitink , Eva Marton , Reiner Goldberg , Samuel Ramey , and Jeffrey Tate
Manufacturer: Capitol
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Arias | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Requiems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000006N40
Release Date: 1995-05-16

Average customer rating:

Artist Portrait: Matti Salminen

Manufacturer: Warner Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00008KA5M
Release Date: 2007-06-19

Tracks:

O Isis Und Osiris
In Diesen Heil'gen Hallen
La Calunnia E Un Venticello
Solche Hergelauf'ne Laffen
O, Wie Will Ich Triumphieren
Ella Giammai M'amo
Il Grande Inquisitor!
Ecco La Sconsolata Donna
Solitudine Amata
Hier Im Ird'schen Jammertal
Schweig, Schweig - Damit Dich Niemand Warnt!
Tatest Du's Wirklich?
Don Giovanni! A Cenar Teco M'invitasti

Average customer rating:

A Portrait

Manufacturer: Grammofono 2000
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | 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
ASIN: B000003UHZ
Release Date: 1996-07-01

Tracks:

Sym No.3 in E Flat Op.55, 'Eroica': I. Allegro Con Brio - Willem Mengelberg/Phil SO Of New York
Sym No.3 in E Flat Op.55, 'Eroica': II. Marcia Funebre - Willem Mengelberg/Phil SO Of New York
Sym No.3 in E Flat Op.55, 'Eroica': III. Scherzo - Willem Mengelberg/Phil SO Of New York
Sym No.3 in E Flat Op.55, 'Eroica': IV. Finale. Allegro Molto - Willem Mengelberg/Phil SO Of New York
Tannhauser: Ov

Tracks: