Lauritz Melchior: The German & Italian repertoire

1. Rienzi, der Letzte der Tribunen, opera, WWV 49 Allmächt'ger Vater, blick'herab
Composed by Richard Wagner
with Lauritz Melchior

2. Lohengrin, opera, WWV 75 Mein lieber Schwan
Composed by Richard Wagner
with Lauritz Melchior

3. Lohengrin, opera, WWV 75 In fernem Land
Composed by Richard Wagner
with Lauritz Melchior

4. Die Walküre (The Valkyrie), opera, WWV 86b Friedmund darf ich nicht heissen
Composed by Richard Wagner
with Lauritz Melchior

5. Die Walküre (The Valkyrie), opera, WWV 86b Ein Schwert verhiess mir der Vater
Composed by Richard Wagner
with Lauritz Melchior

6. Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, opera, WWV 96 Am stille Herd
Composed by Richard Wagner
with Lauritz Melchior

7. Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, opera, WWV 96 Morgenlich leuchtend im rosigen Schein
Composed by Richard Wagner
with Lauritz Melchior

8. Siegfried, opera, WWV 86c Notung! Notung!
Composed by Richard Wagner
with Lauritz Melchior

9. Parsifal, opera, WWV 111 Nur eine Waffe taugt
Composed by Richard Wagner
with Lauritz Melchior

10. Aida, opera Schon sind die Priester all'vereint
Composed by Giuseppe Verdi
with Margarete Arndt-Ober , Lauritz Melchior

11. Otello, opera Gott! Warum hast du gehüft dieses Elend
Composed by Giuseppe Verdi
with Lauritz Melchior

12. Otello, opera Jeder Knabe
Composed by Giuseppe Verdi
with Lauritz Melchior

13. Pagliacci, opera Hüll' dich in Tand nur
Composed by Ruggiero Leoncavallo
with Lauritz Melchior

Lauritz Melchior: The German & Italian repertoire,Ruggero Leoncavallo,Giuseppe Verdi,Richard Wagner,Lauritz Melchior,Margarete Arndt-Ober,Grammofono 2000,Classical,Classical Vocals,German/Austrian Romantic Opera,Italian Romantic Opera,Jazz Music,Opera

Average customer rating:

Kirsten Flagstad: Wagner Arias and Duets with Melchior Manufacturer: RCA ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Wagner | Wagner, Richard | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Arias | 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 Flagstad, Kirsten | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music ASIN: B000003ES8 Release Date: 1990-04-19

Tracks:

1. Tristan Und Isolde: Mild Und Leise
2. Lohengrin: Euch Luften, Die Mein Klagen
3. Parsifal: Ich Sah' Das Kind (Kundry-Parsifal Duet) - Kirsten Flagstag/Lauritz Melchior
4. Die Walkure: Du Bist Der Lenz
5. Die Walkure: Ho-Jo-To-Ho!
6. Gotterdammerung: Vorspiel/Prologue/Prld/Preludio: Zu Neuen Thaten - Kirsten Flagstag/Lauritz Melchior
7. Gotterdammerung: Starke Scheite Schichtet Mir Dort (Brunnhilde's Immolation)

Average customer rating: Masterful Flagstad's Brunnhilde at her best Flagstad and Furtwaengler in the Ring

Furtwängler at Covent Garden: 1937 "Ring" Excerpts Manufacturer: Music & Arts Program ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD 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 General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music London Philharmonic Orchestra | ( L ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | 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 Flagstad, Kirsten | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Wagner: The Complete Karl Muck Parsifal Recordings, Orchestral Suite, etc / Muck Wagner: The Ring Wagner: Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg Wagner: Die Walküre Wagner: Siegfried ASIN: B00000AFTY Release Date: 1998-09-15

Tracks:

1. Walkur Act III: Scene I
2. Hojotoho! (Gerhild - Walkuren)
3. Schutzt mich, und helft in hoschster Not! (Brunnhilde)
4. Nicht sehre dich Sorge um mich (Sieglinde)
5. Fortdenn eile, nach Osten gewandt! (Brunnhilde)
6. Scene 2. Wo ist Brunnhild (Wotan)
7. Hier bin ich, Vater: gebiete die Strafe! (Burnnhilde)
8. Hortet ihr nicht (Wotan)
9. Scene 3. War es so schmahlich (Brunnhilde)
10. Nicht weise bin ich (Brunnhilde)
11. So tatest du, was so gern zu tun ich begehrt (Wotan)
12. Woh taughte dir nicht die tor'ge Maid (Brunnhilde)
13. Nicht streb, o Maid, den Mut mir zu storen (Wotan)
14. Leb wohl, du kuhnes, herrliches Kind! (Wotan)
15. Loge, hor! (Watan) - End Act III
16. Gotterdammerung Prologue: Tagesgrauen
17. Zu neuen Thaten (Brunnhilde)
18. Lass'ich, Liebste, dich hierin (Siegfried)
19. Oh! heilige Gotter (Siegfried)

Tracks:

1. Gotterdammerung (* From Act 1 Scene 3) Altgewohntes Gerausch (Brunnhilde)
2. Hore mit Sinn (Waltraute)
3. Ha! weisst du (Brunnhilde)
4. Brunnhild! Ein Freier (Siegfried)
5. (*From Act II Scene 4) Heil'ge Gotter (Brunnhilde)
6. Helle Wehr (Siegfried)
7. Scene 5: Beginning
8. Welches Unholds List (Brunnhilde)
9. Und dort trifft ihn mein Speer! (Hagen)
10. Doch Gutrune, ach! (Gunther) - End Act II
11. (*From Act III Scene 3) Schweigt eures Jammers (Brunnhilde)
12. Starke Scheite (Brunnhilde)
13. Mein Erbe nun (Brunnhilde)
14. Fliegt heim, ihr Raben (Brunnhilde) - End Act III

Amazon.com essential recording

These excerpts from 1937 performances at Covent Garden have long been available in one form or another, but never in such impactful sound. No, it's not stereo and it still sports odd balances and thin string sound. But the voices come through clearly and it doesn't take much mental adjustment to become absorbed by performances of overwhelming power and intensity. The Flagstad-Melchior combination was untouchable in Wagner, and Furtwängler was perhaps the greatest of all Wagner conductors. All are captured here in their prime, galvanized by a live audience to deliver singing and conducting of unsurpassable beauty and understanding. No Wagnerian or lover of great singing can afford to miss this. --Dan Davis

Customer Reviews:

Masterful.......2003-09-01

This is a selection from a 1937 performance of the Ring. Furtwngler is my all time favorite conductor of Wagner and he lives up to his reputation. The singing is also excellent, only marred by old recording equipment that does not adequately capture the wonderful performance. Any Wagner lover will enjoy these CDs, despite the less than good reproduction of the 1937 sound (which is why I gave it only 4 stars).
Since writing this review a couple years ago, I must say that this is a CD that I listen to repeatedly. It has become one of my favorites in my Wagner collection.

Flagstad's Brunnhilde at her best.......2002-02-28

You have never heard a more exciting performance of neither the third act of Walkure or of Gotterdammerung. I only wish there was a complete recording of those glorious days of Wagner music. Flagstad's Brunnhilde has always been the grandest in opera history, and these performances are no exception. Her tonal splendour, her power and magnetism has never been more evident on record than here. Her seasons in London in the 30's was probably even finer than those at the Met. Her partners there seemed to bring out the best in her. Furtwangler, Beecham, Reiner, Melchior, Janssen, Bockelmann. This with her stunning performance of Tristan und Isolde the same year with Beecham must be considered some of the very best singing she has done. The nobel performance of her Walkure's Brunnhilde, the emotional rollercoaster ride of Brunnhilde of Gotterdammerung is so expertly acted out in Flagstad's singing. Flagstad's magnificent performance somewhat overshadows her great partners. Rudolf Bockelmann's Wotan is nothing short of brilliant, along with Melchior's heroic Siegfried, Kerstin Thorborg's desperate Waltraute and Ludwig Weber's great evil Hagen. This is a performance to treasure for all Wagner fans who look for the greatest Wagner singing of the century. I would recommend this along with the excerpts of Frida Leider's Gotterdammerung performance the previous year with Beecham, Melchior, Thorborg and Janssen released by Preiser.

Flagstad and Furtwaengler in the Ring.......1998-11-10

This is a stunning album. The sound is pretty good--for 1930s sound midway between the celebrated Beecham/Reiner Tristan and the Lehmann/Melchior/Walter Act I of Die Walkuere (which is as good as imaginable for that era). The singing, especially by Flagstad, is off-the-scale wonderful. One could claim that this is her very best Immolation Scene, and her great melodic line about 30 minutes before the end of Die Walkuere is spine-tingling. Bockelmann's Wotan is as good as the best, and Melchior is inimitably himself. The conducting is perhaps more tightly organized than in Furtwaengler's later versions. Beautiful little details in the orchestra pop out, even with the fair-to-middling sound.

If you are just starting out to explore Wagner's Ring, this is probably not the album to start with. Get one of the super recordings (either of the whole thing or separate operas), such as Solti or Karajan. Those provide a text. Then get the Bruno Walter Walkuere Act I--it's the best example of Wagner's ability to write a tightly knit hour of music and of theater--no wasted motion or notes--and there is no performance like that one. Then begin to explore marvellous byways such as the present album.

Average customer rating: Great performance; mediocre transfer Greatest of all Wagnerian tenors! Better transfer than Naxos' release One of the All-Time Great Opera Recordings Magnificently lyrical and passionate

Wagner: Walküre Act 1 Manufacturer: Capitol ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD 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 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 Similar Items: Wagner: The Ring Wagner: Die Walküre Wagner: Siegfried Wagner: Das Rheingold Richard Strauss - Capriccio / Schwarzkopf, Wächter, Gedda, Fischer-Dieskau, Hotter, Ludwig, Moffo, Philharmonia Orchestra, Sawallisch ASIN: B000005GMW Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

1. Vorspiel/Prelude
2. 'Wes'Herd Dies Auch Sei'
3. 'Kuhlende Labung Gab Mir Der Quell'
4. 'Einen Unseligen Labtest Du'
5. 'Mud Am Herd Fand Ich Den Mann'
6. 'Friedmund Darf Ich Nicht Heissen'
7. 'Ich Weiss Ein Wildes Geschlecht'
8. 'Ein Schwert Verhiess Mir Der Vater'
9. 'Schlafst Du Gast?'
10. 'Wintersturme Wichen Dem Wonnemond'
11. 'Du Bist Der Lenz'
12. 'Siegmund Neiss'Ich'

Customer Reviews:

Great performance; mediocre transfer.......2005-08-15

While I agree with previous reviewers' appreciation of Walter and his vocalists, I disagree with Erik's preference for this EMI dub over the Naxos. While I usually find that engineer's work overly filtered, this one sounds quite good and is certainly more natural than the EMI. Plus, the EMI is pitched wrong. The Naxos also replaces another EMI disc amd does not cut a minute or more of music, as does the EMI. Go for the Naxos on these tremendous recordings.

Greatest of all Wagnerian tenors!.......2004-12-20

Spectacular! There is simply no better CD version of this opera, despite being recorded in 1935. "Du bist der Lenz" with Lotte Lehman has never been surpassed. This CD is a "MUST HAVE" for any serious music lover. Modern recordings obviously have better sound, but the singers are like pygmies compared to these two giants- Melchior and Lehman.

Better transfer than Naxos' release.......2004-08-05

Ever since I bought this magnificent recording of the first act of Walkure, my favorite Ring opera, I have been hooked on Melchior's Siegmund. I have bought four other performances, all at the Met, two from 1940 with Leinsdorf, one from '41 also with Leinsdorf and another one from '46 with Breisach. After listening to them many times, it is clear that this one is superior in every aspect. The '41 performance was certainly the one with Melchior in best form of those four live performances. The energy and perfect vocal control he has with the role and music are like nothing ever heard before or since. Lehmann is also in better voice here than in her '40 performance with Leinsdorf. Her sweet voice is perfectly suited to the Ring's sweetest character and every sound she makes is full of the character plight and passion.
Bruno Walter demonstrates that he is so much better at conducting this difficult act than both Leinsdorf and Breisach. He holds the musical line in check and never speeds up the tempi to the point of galloping along. The two Leinsdorf performances are performed at such a high speed that so much of the beautiful nuiances in the score are missing.

I also bought the Naxos release, thinking that they would make even more of the sound than the EMI restoration people did, but also because I wanted the abridged act 2 recorded in '35 and '38. What I found was that the EMI transfer was vastly superior. The Naxos has such a muffled sound throughout. Comparing the two transfers I discovered that the EMI transfer has kept the wonderful accustics in the sound and both the orchestra and voices come through much more clearly than on the Naxos release. The sound on this release is more open and much more pleasant to listen to.
I found this curious, because not only is this release from 1988 and restoration techinques much have improved over the years, but also that this transfer is also mastered from '78 discs.

This one is still the one to have if you want the best performance first act of Walkure anywhere any time.

One of the All-Time Great Opera Recordings.......2002-01-17

Act I of Die Walkure is a very self-contained unit within Wagner's four-opera Der Ring des Nibelungen, and plays well on its own. You don't need to know any more of the story to appreciate this intimate chamber drama.

The Vienna Phiharmonic is at the top of their pre-war game, and Bruno Walter conducts briskly and beautifully (since this recording was originally put out on 78s, it zips along at a pace that some of today's narcoleptic conductors would do well to emulate). Emanuel List is an appropriately menacing Hunding, and Lotte Lehmann is the embodiment of aching passionate intensity as Sieglinde.

But this recording belongs to Lauritz Melchior, who is little short of awe-inspiring as Siegmund. Don't believe me? Try listening to Track 8, where Melchior delivers "Ein Schwert verhiess mir der Vater" with an intensity that few if any singers have ever been able to manage. Melchior was to opera singers what Babe Ruth was to baseball players, and this recording catches his voice at its absolute peak.

Keith Hardwick's transfer is up to his usual high standard, and the price is right. So you really have no excuse not to buy this CD. If you've ever been at all curious about Wagner or the Ring Cycle, this CD is just about the perfect introduction. It doesn't get better than this.

Magnificently lyrical and passionate.......2001-01-14

Made in Vienna in 1935, this recording of probably the most popular act of the Ring Cycle has always been the benchmark. It employs three unbelievable singers, under the glorious conducting of Bruno Walter. The sound is miraculous for the time period, and the only negative thing I can think of to say about it is that they should have recorded the whole opera, or better yet, the whole cycle. (There was a recording of Act II made, with cuts, a couple years later, with the three singers in Act I, plus Walter for most of the act, employing Seidler-Winker for the rest; Hans Hotter shares the role of Wotan with Alfred Jerger; Brünnhilde is split, as well.)

Lauritz Melchior is unquestionably the greatest Heldentenor who ever lived. Here he is in fabulous voice, even by his standards, and he is so much more involved and intelligent when he is working with a great conductor than with the likes of Edwin McArthur. He has secure legato, excellent diction, and portrays the character more movingly than anyone I have ever heard. Add this to his brilliant, powerful, beautiful voice, and you have a peerless Siegmund. Lotte Lehmann is just as fabulous as Melchior. She has a very beautiful voice ideal for Sieglinde: solid at the core but soft-edged, and she too has model diction and excellent legato. She sometimes doesn't sing as softly as she should, as in her first few lines, but she makes up for this with her singing in the big moments towards the end of the act. Emanuel List, the Austrian bass, can't quite match the standard set by Melchior and Lehmann, but you can't blame him for that. He has a very dark, resonant voice, but he is not ideally steady. But when he sings "Wie gleicht er dem Weibe" or "Mich dünkt, von dem wehrlichen Pahr," or any of the other memorable lines throughout the act, all vocal problems are forgotten. He IS Hunding, and not an opera singer pretending to be Hunding. His only serious rival on disc is Martti Talvela for Karajan.

And finally, we come to the conducting of Bruno Walter. Helped by the radiant playing of the Vienna Philharmonic, he conjures up Wagner's unique world of blended sound and emotion like no one else on record. He is as warm and lyrical as is possible, but realizes all the drama, and never goes over the top. He also shows a command of the structure of the act that eludes modern conductors. He is a great conductor. At mid price, this is a fabulous bargain, and we must hope that EMI will make it more widely available in the US, because this is a performance to good for any music lover to be without.

Average customer rating: Almost all the best recordings...

Melchior: Prima Voce Manufacturer: Nimbus Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Leoncavallo | Leoncavallo, Ruggiero | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Meyerbeer | Meyerbeer, Giacomo | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | 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 Melchior, Lauritz | ( M ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Meyerbeer, Giacomo | M to P | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Wagner, Richard | U to Z | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Vocal Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | U to Z | Featured Composers, A-Z | 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 Flagstad, Kirsten | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | 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: Prima Voce: Flagstad Artists Of The Century - Jussi Bjorling, The Ultimate Collection Elizabeth Rethberg (Prima Voce) Jussi Björling Rediscovered Mahler: Das Lied von der Erde ASIN: B0000037JH Release Date: 1992-12-02

Tracks:

1. Notung! Notung!
2. Inbrunst Im Herzen
3. The Love Duet, Act 2
4. Dir tone Lob
5. Hull Dich In Tand Nur
6. Land So Wunderbar (O Paradiso)
7. Gott! Warum Hast Du Gehauft Dieses Elend (Dio Mi Potevi)
8. Jeder Knabe (Nium Mi Tema)
9. Wintersturme
10. Am Stillen Herd
11. Morgenlich Leuchtend
12. Prologue Duet

Amazon.com

The voice of Danish tenor Lauritz Melchior was unique. Absolutely evenly produced from ringing top to baritonal bottom, he seemed tireless, and no amount of heavy singing of Wagner's most challenging roles appeared to have any adverse effect on him--he sang until well into his 60s. The selection here is all you'll need to have. Melchior is stunningly partnered by Frieda Leider--perhaps the warmest of all Wagnerian sopranos--in the Tristan love duet, and his attention to legato and beauty of tone is amazing in this music. Lotte Lehmann joins Melchior in part of Act I of Die Walküre, where his Siegmund is both loving and heroic, and there's probably never been a recording of the Prologue Duet from Götterdämmerung quite as exciting as this one, with Kirsten Flagstad as his Brünnhilde. Elsewhere, Melchior's Otello excerpts (in German) are steely and exciting, while a French and Italian aria or two could have used their original languages. Walther's music from Die Meistersinger shows Melchior in a more lyrical mode. They don't make them like this anymore. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews:

Almost all the best recordings..........2006-08-04

Almost every important recording of the real 'voice of the (20th) century'. (Only missing are the Tristan duet with Flagstad and the Helen Traubel/Toscanini recordings from 1941. There has been no one since (or before, on the evidence of no less than George Bernard Shaw) who could sing these roles as if they were easy. In particular, if you've not heard the Tristan duet with Frieda Leider, you don't know what this music is supposed to sound like!

Average customer rating: The Past Near-Perfect Wow The Most Electrifying 'Walküre' Ever Recorded

Wagner: Die Walküre (Acts 1 and 2) Manufacturer: Naxos ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD 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 Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra | ( B ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra | ( V ) | Featured Performers, 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 Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Frida Leider: A Vocal Portrait Wagner: Die Walküre Wagner: The Ring ASIN: B0000AE7BM Release Date: 2003-10-21

Album Description

In the early 1930s Bruno Walter planned to record the complete Die Walküre in Berlin, exploiting recent refinements in the electrical recording technique. However when the Nazis came to power, Jewish artists, including Walter, were immediately under threat. The location of the recording was shifted to Vienna. In 1935 the whole of Act 1 and parts of Act 2 were taken down. Melchior, the finest Heldentenor of that or any time, and Lehmann managed to sound astonishingly youthful, while Hotter was to become the leading Wotan of the next two decades. Logistical and budgetary problems made it difficult to complete Act 2 and only in 1938 was the rest of it undertaken in Berlin, under the vastly experienced leadership of Bruno Seidler-Winkler.

Customer Reviews:

The Past Near-Perfect.......2006-04-09

Imagine that you have access to a time machine: you set a few dials and you can be whisked to an orchestra seat for a performance by legendary artists. Now imagine that the charge for this fabulous journey is about fifteen dollars. That is what this two-CD set is tantamount to. The performers are among the most illustrious Wagnerians in the history of opera, whether caught in the prime (Lehmann and Melchior), or at the beginning (Hotter) of remarkable careers. They are joined by two equally renowned ensembles led for much of these recordings by the sterling Bruno Walter and for the rest by the distinguished Bruno Seidler-Winkler. The engineering has yielded sound so noise-free and expansive that the result might have been produced twenty years later than the actual 1930's dates. The listener doesn't have to "listen through" a veil of scratchy background and muted dynamics. All in all, this reissue superbly achieves what archival recordings strive for but all too often fall short of: it gives full reproduction of great performances so that one generation can clearly communicate with another. The only thing that keeps this recording from being perfect is the lack of a third act. As it is, even if you are a less-than-perfect Wagnerite these performances will grip you. Take the first step in your journey to a wonderful experience of the past and buy this music.

Wow.......2005-09-27

Of course this recording has been around for years. Never-the-less, for new fans of Wagnerian opera who have never heard the 1st Act sung by Lehmann and Melchior this will be a revelation!

The 2nd Act is also near-overwhelming, and both together is the reason this recording stays in the catalog: It doesn't get much better than this!

The Most Electrifying 'Walküre' Ever Recorded.......2003-10-25

This is a recording that merits its status as a legend. It has everything ... except the opera's third act. An explanation: the recording was begun in 1935 in Vienna, under conductor Bruno Walter but owing to all kinds of technical and scheduling difficulties parts of the second act had to be recorded three years later with mostly the same singers in Berlin under Bruno Seidler-Winkler, himself no mean Wagner conductor, because Walter had by then left Hitler's Germany. And the third act was simply never recorded. Even so, it has never been out of print. Many years ago I owned this performance on an LP whose dreadful sound could not hide the intensity and beauty of the performance. This transfer, done by Naxos's miracle man, Mark Obert-Thorn, is absolutely stunning. There are many passages where one simply cannot tell that the recording was made seventy years ago. The voices are generally very forward and are extremely life-like. Except for occasional and quickly forgotten slight tubbiness and limited dynamic range the orchestral sound is more than satisfactory; indeed, it is about the best I've ever heard from recordings of that era. A transfer engineering triumph.

But the best part is the musical performance, cobbled together as it is in some respects. The cast is a dream. Get this:

Sieglinde----------Lotte Lehmann
Brünnhilde---------Marta Fuchs
Fricka-------------Margarete Klose
Siegmund-----------Lauritz Melchior
Wotan--------------Han Hotter
Hunding------------Emanuel List

Further, each of these singers is in extraordinary voice. It is as if they sense they are involved in a history-making endeavor in this, one of the first attempts to record 'Walküre.' Lehmann, who could later sound a bit matronly, here sounds ardently young and feminine. Melchior sings as well as I've ever heard him, a bronze baritonal sound that is absolutely rock-solid, coupled with fidelity to the music as written, not always present elsewhere with Melchior. Marta Fuchs, who made few recordings, is a young-sounding and intensely dramatic Brünnhilde; the voice is like a laser. The young Hans Hotter, then only 26, is singing his first Wotan, a role he made his own in the years to come. There is a strong, rather than hectoring, Fricka from the mezzo, Margarete Klose. Hunding is manly and dramatically apt as sung by Emanuel List. The Vienna portion (more than 2/3 of the recording) is played by the Vienna Philharmonic who as the Vienna State Opera Orchestra had this music in their bones. The Berlin portion utilized the Berlin Philharmonic who are only marginally below the VPO's level in this era. This is Bruno Walter's only major Wagnerian recording. This conductor, often cited as the quintessentially gemütlich Germanic conductor, leads an intensely dramatic performance. What a pity we don't have more Wagner from him.

Individual passages of note in Act I: Melchior's 'Ein Schwert verhiess mir der Vater,' and then 'Winterstürme' followed by the rapturous duet (Melchior, Lehmann) 'Du bist der Lenz.' Act II: the argument in Scene One between Fricka (Fuchs) and Wotan (Hotter), which is often just sort of skated over but here is full of fire and spirit. Then the most dramatically engaging 'Wotan's Monolog' (where he tells Brünnhilde the history of the Ring) that I've ever heard; this passage is sometimes scorned because it is so long and recounts material that presumably the informed opera-goer already knows. Not so here; Hotter makes us, as well as Brünnhilde, hang on every word. Klose's alternately confused and brave Brünnhilde, especially at the beginning of Act II, Scene 4 ('Siegmund! Sieh auf mich!) where she tells Siegmund he must die, is simply stunning.

The marginally less effective part of the recording is in the last part of Scene 5 when two different singers (Ella Flesch and Alfred Jerger) perform that scene's confrontation between Wotan and Brünnhilde. It's not that they are bad--in fact, they're quite good--but their voices are so very different from Fuchs's and Hotter's that it is a bit jarring.

This, obviously, is not going to be anyone's only recording of 'Die Walküre.' And although there is a scene by scene synopsis, there is no libretto; Naxos probably recognizes that anyone buying this 2CD set will probably already have a modern recording and a libretto.

Still, I suspect I will be reaching for this performance in preference to a number of other more modern performances that I own. It's that good! Once again I want to thank Naxos for making this and other significant historical recordings available in clear sound at a budget price. They keep coming up with winners like this, the 1931 French 'Manon,' the early Karajan 'Meistersinger,' the recently released 'Louise,' and others.

Most heartily recommended.

CD1=73:41
CD2=70:22
TT=2:24:03

Scott Morrison

Average customer rating: Magnificent Reiner strikes again...

Wagner: Tristan und Isolde Manufacturer: Video Artists Int'l ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD 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 General | Classical | Styles | Music London Philharmonic Orchestra | ( L ) | 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 ASIN: B000003LIF Release Date: 1994-10-28

Tracks:

1. Tristan und Isolde: Act I, Scene V: Tristan! - Isolde! - Treuloser Holder! (Tristan, Isolde, Brangane, Kurwenal)
2. Tristan und Isolde: Act II: Prelude
3. Tristan und Isolde: Act II, Scene I: Horst du sie noch? (Isolde, Brangane)
4. Tristan und Isolde: Act II, Scene II: Isolde! - Tristan! - Geliebte! (Tristan, Isolde, Brangane)
5. Tristan und Isolde: Act II, Scene Ii: O sink' hernieder, Nacht der Liebe (Tristan, Isolde, Brangane)
6. Tristan und Isolde: Act II, Scene II: Einsam wachend in der Nacht (Tristan, Isolde, Brangane)
7. Tristan und Isolde: Acy II, Scene III: Rette dich, Tristan! (Tristan, Isolde, Brangane, Kurwenal, Marke, Melot)
8. Tristan und Isolde: Act II, Scene III: Tatest du's wirklich? (Tristan, Isolde, Brangane, Kurwenal, Marke, Melot)
9. Tristan und Isolde: Act II, Scene III: O Konig, das kann ich dir nicht sagen (Tristan, Isolde, Brangane, Kurwenal, Marke, Melot)

Tracks:

1. Tristan und Isolde: Act III: Prelude
2. Tristan und Isolde: Act III, Scene I: (The Shepherd's Pipe Is Heard) (Kurwenal, Tristan)
3. Tristan und Isolde: Act III, Scene I: Kurwenal! He! Sag', Kurwenal! (Kurwenal, Tristan)
4. Tristan und Isolde: Act III, Scene I: Hei nun! Wie du kamst? (Kurwenal, Tristan)
5. Tristan und Isolde: Act III, Scene I: Noch losch das Licht nicht aus (Kurwenal, Tristan)
6. Tristan und Isolde: Act III, Scene I: Noch ist kein Schiff zu sehn (Kurwenal, Tristan)
7. Tristan und Isolde: Act III, Scene I: O Wonne! Nein! Er regt sich, er lebt! (Kurwenal, Tristan)
8. Tristan und Isolde: Act III, Scene II: O diese Sonne! Ha! dieser Tag! (Tristan, Isolde, Kurwenal)
9. Tristan und Isolde: Act III, Scene II: Ha! Ich bin's, ich bin's, sussester Freund! (Tristan, Isolde, Kurwenal)
10. Tristan und Isolde: Act III, Scene III: Kurwenal! Hor! Ein zweites Schiff! (Tristan, Isolde, Brangane, Kurwenal, Marke)
11. Tristan und Isolde: Act III, Scene III: Mild und leise wie er lachelt (Tristan, Isolde, Brangane, Kurwenal, Marke)

Customer Reviews:

Magnificent.......2003-02-26

This is a 1936 recording of a live performance conducted by Reiner and featuring Flagstad and Melchior. The sound quality is very good for such an old recording. The conducting is spectacular but the orchestra is not as clearly audible as I would like, given the state of the art of sound recording in that year. Flagstad is simply perfect -- a joy to listen to. Melchior is also outstanding. This is a truly wonderful recording made by a conductor and singers in their prime. It is one of the gems of my opera collection. Highly recommended.

Reiner strikes again..........2000-04-25

The Reiner Tristan, which has gained a mythical status due toits unavaliability, proves itself to be justified in holding thattitle through this recording. Back in the late '30's, the famous Tommy Beecham sought to procure an international name to perform the piece in Covent Garden. In his quest to do so, he managed to get Reiner & Furtwangler in consecutive years. The Reiner Tristan, which is coupled with his Flying Dutchman performance which is also legendary, probably has the greatest cast of the Century. Not only is Melchior & Flagstad singing the lead roles, but Herbert Janssen & Emmanuel List also contribute to compile a lineup that could rival Reiner's San Francisco Walkure. The singing is out of this world; Flagstad has only sung better in the '41 Met performance with Leinsdorf, and Melchior is solid as a rock. However, the true star of this recording is, of course, Reiner. Never have I heard a Tristan that is so perfectly paced. Unlike Beecham, who makes too an eccentric recording with the same cast, Reiner does nothing excessively eccentric or banal. He conducts Tristan almost like a Mozartian piece with ridgid timing but with colourful phrasing & incredible precision that almost seems irreplaceable. There are very few conductors who can out-perform a cast like Melchior, list & Flagstad; Reiner, in this recording, proves himself to be more than worthy of joining that elite group.

Average customer rating: Flagstad's best Isolde the metaphysics of Love Incredible and exciting Can singing get any more perfect than this? Can singing get any more perfect than this?

Wagner: Tristan und Isolde Manufacturer: Naxos ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD 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 Flagstad, Kirsten | ( F ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music London Philharmonic Orchestra | ( L ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | 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 Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Opera & Vocal | 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 Bargain Box Sets | Opera & Vocal General | Opera & Vocal | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Opera & Vocal General | Opera & Vocal | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music Similar Items: Merit - Wagner: Der Ring des Nibelungen / Knappertsbusch Wagner: Der Fliegende Holländer Music of Peter Lieberson: Rilke Songs, The Six Realms, Horn Concerto ASIN: B00004YYQL Release Date: 2000-11-14

Tracks:

1. Act One: Prld - LPO/Fritz Reiner
2. Act One, Scene One: Westwarts Schweift Der Blick - Kirsten Flagstad/Sabine Kalter/Roy Devereux
3. Act One, Scene Two: Frisch Weht Der Wind Der Heimath Zu - Kirsten Flagstad/Sabine Kalter/Roy Devereux/Lauritz Melchoir/Herbert Jansson
4. Act One, Scene Three: Weh! Ach Wehe! Dies Zu Dulden! - Kirsten Flagstad/Sabine Kalter
5. Act One, Scene Four: Auf! Auf! Ihr Frauen! - Kirsten Flagstad/Sabine Kalter/Herbert Jansson
6. Act One, Scene Four: Herr Tristan Trete Nah'! - Kirsten Flagstad/Sabine Kalter/Herbert Jansson
7. Act One, Scene Five: Tristan! - Isolde! - Treuloser Holder! - Lauritz Melchoir/Kirsten Flagstad/

Tracks:

1. Act Two: Prld - LPO/Fritz Reiner
2. Act Two, Scene One: Horst Du Sie Noch? - Kirsten Flagstad/Sabine Kalter
3. Act Two, Scene Two: Isolde! - Tristan! - Geliebte! - Lauritz Melchoir/Kirsten Flagstad/Sabine Kalter
4. Act Two, Scene Two: O Sink' Hernieder, Nacht Der Liebe - Lauritz Melchoir/Kirsten Flagstad/Sabine Kalter
5. Act Two, Scene Two: Einsam Wachend In Der Nacht - Lauritz Melchoir/Kirsten Flagstad/Sabine Kalter
6. Act Two, Scene Two: Lausch', Geliebter! - Lass Mich Sterben! - Lauritz Melchoir/Kirsten Flagstad/Sabine Kalter
7. Act Two, Scene Two: Doch Unsre Liebe, Heisst Sie Nicht Tristan Und Isolde? - Lauritz Melchoir/Kirsten Flagstad/Sabine Kalter
8. Act Two, Scene Three: Rette Dich, Tristan! - Lauritz Melchoir/Kirsten Flagstad/Sabine Kalter/Herbert Jansson/Emanuel List/Frank Sale
9. Act Two, Scene Three: Tatest Du's Wirklich? - Lauritz Melchoir/Kirsten Flagstad/Sabine Kalter/Herbert Jansson/Emanuel List/Frank Sale
10. Act Two, Scene Three: Konig, Das Kann Ich Dir Nicht Sagen - Lauritz Melchoir/Kirsten Flagstad/Sabine Kalter/Herbert Jansson/Emanuel List/Frank Sale

Tracks:

1. Act Three: Prld - LPO/Fritz Reiner
2. Act Three, Scene One: (The Shepherd's Pipe Is Heard) - Octave Dua/Herbert Jansson/Lauritz Melchoir
3. Act Three, Scene One: Kurwenal! He! Sag', Kurwenal! - Octave Dua/Herbert Jansson/Lauritz Melchoir
4. Act Three, Scene One: Hei Nun! Wie Du Kamst? - Octave Dua/Herbert Jansson/Lauritz Melchoir
5. Act Three, Scene One: Noch Losch Das Licht Nicht Aus - Octave Dua/Herbert Jansson/Lauritz Melchoir
6. Act Three, Scene One: Noch Ist Kein Shiff Zu Sehn - Octave Dua/Herbert Jansson/Lauritz Melchoir
7. Act Three, Scene One: O Wonne! Nein! Er Regt Sich, Er Lebt! - Octave Dua/Herbert Jansson/Lauritz Melchoir
8. Act Three, Scene Two: O Diese Sonne! Ha! Dieser Tag! - Lauritz Melchoir/Kirsten Flagstad/Herbert Janssen
9. Act Three, Scene Two: Ha! Ich Bin's, Ich Bin's, Sussester Freund! - Lauritz Melchoir/Kirsten Flagstad/Herbert Janssen
10. Act Three, Scene Three: Kurwenal! Hor'! Ein Zweites Schiff! - Lauritz Melchoir/Kirsten Flagstad/Sabine Kalter/Herbert Jansson/Emanuel List/Frank Sale/Octave...
11. Act Three, Scene Three: Mild Und Leise Wie Er Lachelt - Lauritz Melchoir/Kirsten Flagstad/Sabine Kalter/Herbert Jansson/Emanuel List/Frank Sale/Octave...

Customer Reviews:

Flagstad's best Isolde.......2005-05-25

I have written reviews of performances by two divas whom I greatly admire, Callas and Sutherland, in which I argued that an opera is not just the soprano. For this recording I must take the other side. This "Tristan und Isolde" is all about a very great soprano, Kirsten Flagstad.

Except for a truly wretched Young Sailor, I feel obliged to say that the supporting cast is fine on the recording. Janssen and Kalter are admirable. And Immanuel List is a great deal more than just admirable. But, when you come right down to it, who cares? "Tristan und Isolde" is first and always about the Tristan and the Isolde.

This is the young Flagstad of 1936, still new to the opera. Of her Isolde, I am reduced to mere exclamations. What power! What delicacy! What purity! What line! What understanding! What sheer beauty! Not even the Flagstad who later recorded for Furtwaengler compares with this vocal goddess.

At the time of this recording, Melchior was widely regarded as the premier heldentenor of the world and there are many who would bring that claim right down to today. I readily agree that he is the equal of Flagstad in power and endurance. But just as there are some who do not get Maria Callas, I do not get Lauritz Melchior. Contemporary accounts tell us that he was inclined to let both character and pitch go wandering unless someone gave him a good whack from time to time. From this recording, I assume that a stagehand stood nearby throughout the performances with a two-by-four in hand. Even so, his characterization was, at best, purest cardboard. And, sheesh, what an ugly, ugly sound that man often made! I knew people who had seen him perform, people whose judgment I respected. They held him to be a towering figure whose presence filled an opera house. Whatever it was he had, it most certainly did not record.

This CD restoration is ultimately based on second-generation materials made well after 1936. It does not and could not measure up to the sonic standards of the digital era. That said, it is remarkable how good it actually is, far better, in fact, than the too-diffident Naxos notes would have you believe. Flagstad, in particular, comes through beautifully.

The text is cut, as was the practice of the time. The conducting is brisk and intelligent. The orchestra sounds all right, better than anything recorded in 1936 by rights ought to sound. There are some clicks, some hiss and few spectacularly annoying coughs from a generally well-behaved audience. Forget all that. This is about Flagstad.

the metaphysics of Love.......2004-08-03

Four stars for the singing, especially of Flagstad. Hers was an unbelievable voice: steady, strong, and even from top to bottom, and with a warmth that Nilsson never quite approached. The big downside of this recording is the sound of the orchestra which is well back and not at all clear. Since Wagner, by the time he composed T&I, had come around to the belief that the music was more important than the words, this is a serious drawback. You have to listen to the Furtwangler recording to really hear what this opera is supposed to sound like. Which is just as well since, if you listen to the words, you'll discover that what Tristan and Isolde are really singing about in their big Act II love scene is METAPHYSICS! A romantic guy, that Wagner.

Incredible and exciting.......2004-07-16

I admit that "Tristan und Isolde" was NOT an opera I came to enjoy quickly. In fact, it bored me beyond belief. Partly because the first recording I ever heard of it was the very long drawn out one by Bernstein with fairly unpleasing singers. Later when I hear Margaret Price in the role, I warmed to the opera, then was converted to it with the EMI recording of Flagstad. That recording really gripped me. And unlike many, I didn't find near as many flaws with the singing as I could find with the Bernstein recording. Then I found this one. Now I can figure out what all the fuss was about when people went to hear/see this opera in the theatre back in the "golden ages of singing." Of course, I didn't live then, so everything was a mass of "opinions from the papers" of the day. I am so glad that brilliant technical masters are remastering these old recordings of live performances so we can see what all the fuss really was about from this time of superb Wagner singing. No longer are these incredible performances just "words on the page." My mother and grandmother saw Flagstad often, and with Melchior, and I remember them telling me how glorious the sound of their voices was, that each was not just full of volume (loud as we would say today) but a wash of sound that rolled like a tidal wave over the orchestra and was never strained. Of course, I played this recording to my mother and her fine ear told me that though I was certainly hearing a great likeness of the sound, the real thrill of the voices was not captured. She put it bluntly: "Just as large voices today don't record well, and cannot be reflected with all their qualities, large voices of that day are only reflections of the grandeur that was truly theirs."

Still, the recording is awesome. The singing is fabulous even to the smaller roles. One singer I had never heard of and that was the Brangane (Sabine Kalter). I was amazed at the quality of her voice, and the standard of her singing. She not only matched Flagstad, she held her own in an important but not showy role.
The score has been cut, but that was common at the time, and actually Wagner himself authorized those cuts (and even more, if he could have persuaded the great Dramatic Colorature of his day, Therese Tietjens to sing it). In my view, the opera really doesn't improve without the cuts, it is just longer.

The orchestra is playing truly well in this performance. It has been mentioned it isn't as good as the orchestra in this or that recording. Still, the playing is excellent, and again, we must stop comparing it to the sound of modern recordings. Those were studio recordings, this is live; those recordings had the microphones placed at an advantage for orchestral balance, this recording doesn't. The tempi are quicker than often heard these days (is that telling us something of that time frame verses ours where everything is scrutinized to death for detail ignoring the whole) yet I find the feeling and drama are never lost.

Melchior's sound to me sometimes sounds "weird." I don't know how to describe it. The upper register is not strained, but seems at odds with the rest of his voice. No breaks, but not blended. That, according to my mother, is simply the limitations of the recording equipment of the day. His upper range was strong and clarion, nearly trumpet-like and filled the theatre with a very strong "ring." Yet, the warmth of the baritonal lower ranger was strongly present in that upper range. That, according to her remembrance, is what we are missing in his recordings. The "ring" sort of comes through, but the warmer balance doesn't always record.

In spite of all that, this is by far the most exciting recording of "Tristan und Isolde" I have ever heard. I am actually really thrilled by the opera and because of the great singing, and orchestral excitement I hear. It is well worth the money (even if it were much more expensive). I wonder why more and more old recordings are being released, especially live performances. I hope it isn't just because there are no royalties to the artist to pay. I think it is because we can now remaster these recordings and bring to life the greatest of the great performances of these wonderful operas. Perhaps it is to bring sanity to our conductors and performers so they finally learn what real opera is all about. Whatever the reason, I am glad they are doing it.

Can singing get any more perfect than this?.......2003-07-04

This is an old recording (1936) but the singing is spectacular. I have never heard any recording that even comes close to the vocal perfection of these Wagnerian giants. This has become my absolutely favorite recording of Tristan. Even though the orchestra doesn't come through as well as on more modern recordings, I find that I can fill in mentally what is lacking. The result is profounding moving and beautiful music sung by one of the dream Wagnerian casts of all time. My only regret is that I was born to late to have attended this performance in person.

Can singing get any more perfect than this?.......2003-07-04

This is an old recording (1936) but the singing is spectacular. I have never heard any recording that even comes close to the vocal perfection of these Wagnerian giants. This has become my absolutely favorite recording of Tristan. Even though the orchestra doesn't come through as well as on more modern recordings, I find that I can fill in mentally what is lacking. The result is profounding moving and beautiful music sung by one of the dream Wagnerian casts of all time. My only regret is that I was born to late to have attended this performance in person.

Average customer rating:

Wagner: Tristan und Isolde Manufacturer: Angel Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD 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 Melchior, Lauritz | ( M ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music London Philharmonic Orchestra | ( L ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | 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 ASIN: B000002S2V Release Date: 1992-02-18

Tracks:

1. 1. Aufzug: Vorspiel - Chor of the Royal Op House, Covent Garden/Robert Ainsworth/LPO/Sir Thomas Beecham, Bart.
2. 1. Aufzug: 1. Szene: Westwarts schweift der Blick - Parry Jones/Kristen Flagstad/Margarete Klose
3. 1. Aufzug: 2. Szene: Frisch weht der Wind der Heimat zu - Parry Jones/Kristen Flagstad/Margarete Klose
4. 1. Aufzug: 2. Szene: Hab acht, Tristan! - Herbert Janssen/Lauritz Melchoir/Margarete Klose/Chor
5. 1. Aufzug: 3. Szene: Weh, ach wehe! Dies zu dulden! - Margarete Klose/Kristen Flagstad
6. 1. Aufzug: 3. Szene: Wie lachend sie mir Lieder singen - Kristen Flagstad/Margarete Klose
7. 1. Aufzug: 3. Szene: O blinde Augen, blode Herzen! - Kristen Flagstad/Margarete Klose/Chor
8. 1. Aufzug: 4. Szene: Auf! Auf! lhr Frauen! - Herbert Janssen
9. 1. Aufzug: 4. Szene: Herrn Tristan bringe meinen Gruss - Kristen Flagstad/Herbert Janssen/Margarete Klose
10. 1. Aufzug: 5. Szene: Begehrt, Herrin, was lhr wunscht - Lauritz Melchoir/Kristen Flagstad
11. 1. Aufzug: 5. Szene: War Morold dir so wert - Lauritz Melchoir/Kristen Flagstad/Chor
12. 1. Aufzug: 5. Szene: Tristan!/Isode!/Treuloser Holder! - Kristen Flagstad/Lauritz Melchoir/Chor/Margarete Klose/Herbert Janssen

Tracks:

1. 2. Aufzug: Vorspiel - Chor of the Royal Op House, Covent Garden/Robert Ainsworth/LPO/Sir Thomas Beecham, Bart.
2. 2. Aufzug: 1. Szene: Horst du sie noch? - Kristen Flagstad/Margarete Klose
3. 2. Aufzug: 2. Szene: Isolde!/Tristan!/Geliebte! - Lauritz Melchoir/Kristen Flagstad
4. 2. Aufzug: 2. Szene: O sink hernieder, Nacht der Liebe - Lauritz Melchoir/Kristen Flagstad/Margarete Klose
5. 2. Aufzug: 2. Szene: Einsman wachend in der Nacht - Margarete Klose/Kristen Flagstad/Lauritz Melchoir
6. 2. Aufzug: 2. Szene: Doch unsre Liebe, heisst sie nicht Tristan - Kristen Flagstad/Lauritz Melchoir/Margarete Klose
7. 2. Aufzug: 3. Szene: Rette dich, Tristan! - Herbert Janssen/Lauritz Melchoir/Booth Hitchin
8. 2. Aufzug: 3. Szene: Tatest du's wirklich? - Sven Nilsson/Lauritz Melchoir (Markes Klage)
9. 2. Aufzug: 3. Szene: O Konig, das kann ich dir nicht sagen - Lauritz Melchoir/Kristen Flagstad/Booth Hitchin

Tracks:

1. 3. Aufzug: Vorspiel - Chor of the Royal Op House, Covent Garden/Robert Ainsworth/LPO/Sir Thomas Beecham, Bart.
2. 3. Aufzug: 1. Szene: Kurwenal! He! Sag, Kurwena! - Herbert Janssen/Lauritz Melchoir/Octave Dua
3. 3. Aufzug: 1. Szene: Wo ich erwacht, weilt'ich nicht - Lauritz Melchoir/Herbert Janssen
4. 3. Aufzug: 1. Szene: Noch losch das Licht nicht aus - Lauritz Melchoir/Herbert Janssen
5. 3. Aufzug: 2. Szene: O diese Sonne! - Lauritz Melchoir/Kristen Flagstad
6. 3. Aufzug: 2. Szene: Ha! Ich bin's, ich bin's - Kristen Flagstad
7. 3. Aufzug: 3. Szene: Kurwena! Hor! Ein zweites Schiff - Octave Dua/Herbert Janssen/Leslie Horsman/Margarete Klose/Booth Hitchin/Sven Nilsson
8. 3. Aufzug: 3. Szene: Mild und leise wie er lachelt - Kristen Flagstad

Average customer rating: Wagnerian Treasures "Bleeding Chunks" of Wagner From a Great Conductor Great recordings, well restored powerful and committed

Wagner: Götterdämmerung/Siegfried [Excerpts] Manufacturer: RCA ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Wagner | Wagner, Richard | ( W ) | 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 Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: Arturo Toscanini & NBC Symphony Orchestra Vol. 7 Wagner: Die Walküre Wagner: Siegfried Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor: Complete Opera (with full libretto and translation) ASIN: B000003EXY Release Date: 1992-08-25

Tracks:

1. Sigfried: Forest Murmurs
2. Gotterdammerung: Dawn - Brunnhilde Siegfried Duet
3. Gotterdammerung: Zu Neuen Taten
4. Gotterdammerung: Willst Du Mir Minne Schenken
5. Gotterdammerung: O Heilige Gotter
6. Gotterdammerung: Siegfried's Rhine Journey
7. Gotterdammerung: Siegfried's Death And Funeral Music
8. Brunnhilde's Immolation: Starke Scheite Schichtet Mir Dort
9. Brunnhilde's Immolation: Wie Sonne Lauter Strahlt Mir Sein Licht
10. Brunnhilde's Immolation: Mein Erbe Nun Nehm'ich Zu Eigen
11. Brunnhilde's Immolation: Fliegt Heim Ihr Raben!
12. Brunnhilde's Immolation: Grane, Mein Ross, Sei Mir Gegrusst

Customer Reviews:

Wagnerian Treasures.......2006-02-02

This compilation of recordings of the music of Richard Wagner (1813-1883) is ample testimony of why the Wagner family invited Arturo Toscanini (1867-1957) to be the first non-German conductor to conduct at the legendary Bayreuth Festival in 1930. Siegfried Wagner, the composer's son, was particularly impressed with the work of Toscanini up to that point. Toscanini had already been conducting Wagner's music, including complete performances of Wagner's operas, in Italy, with great results.

Toscanini himself greatly admired the musical genius of Richard Wagner, even if strongly disagreed with Wagner's political views (as much as he detested Mussolini and Hitler). When Hitler became chancellor of Germany, Toscanini refused to return to Germany as long as the Nazis remained in power, despite personal appeals from Hitler himself.

Toscanini said that Wagner might be the greatest of all composers. It shocked some Italians that Toscanini actually placed Wagner above Verdi, the other great operatic composer who was born in 1813. Verdi himself, however, had expressed his admiration for Wagner and tried to meet the German composer when Wagner made one of his periodic visits to Italy. Toscanini certainly recognized the great genius of Wagner, who was among the most innovative and inspired composers of all time. Wagner's use of recurring musical themes or motifs was especially remarkable and often helps to identify a particular character, setting, or idea in many of his operas.

The "Forest Murmurs" from "Siegfried" is one of the most exquisite pieces of music that Wagner ever composed. Taken from a 1952 recording session in Carnegie Hall, this performance was particularly wonderful. The NBC strings shone especially in this recording. It was also given a fairly good performance in one of Toscanini's rare stereo recordings, during the troubled final broadcast concert of April 4, 1954. The best thing about the final concert performance was the sound; however the 1952 performance was recorded with exceptionally good sound, even if it was made in conventional high fidelity.

The excerpts from "Die Gotterdammerung" ("The Twilight of the Gods") are from a memorable broadcast concert in Carnegie Hall in February 1941. RCA Victor had the vision to record the broadcast for commercial release; unfortunately, the original discs were not up to RCA's usual high standards. The situation was remedied in the late 1960s when the same recordings were reissued on the RCA Victrola label. Digital remastering has further improved the sound of the performances.

American soprano Helen Traubel, who had an all-too-short career on the operatic stage, and Danish tenor Lauritz Melchior seldom sang as well together as they did for the Maestro. These are performances to treasure. The NBC Symphony played with great precision and excitement; indeed, the musicians played with their hearts, responding well to the strong leadership of Toscanini. I've seldom heard more exciting performances of this music than in these 1941 recordings, particularly in the extended "Siegfried's Rhine Journey." These are absolutely wonderful performances with spectacular playing by the NBC musicians.

"Bleeding Chunks" of Wagner From a Great Conductor.......2002-01-29

It's a shame that Arturo Toscanini was never able to record a complete Ring Cycle, but this CD provides us with generous snippets (what they call in the trade "bleeding chunks") of two of the Ring operas, Siegfried and Gotterdammerung.

Helen Traubel and Lauritz Melchior are two of the greatest Wagnerian singers (only Freida Leider and Kirsten Flagstad can compare to Traubel in this era, and Melchior has always been in a class by himself), and they cause sparks to fly in their duet from Siegfried (from a 1941 NBC broadcast). The NBC Orchestra (created by David Sarnoff especially for Toscanini in 1937 -- can you imagine the head of a broadcast network doing something similar today?), gives impressive performances of the Forest Murmurs from Siegfried and Siegfried's Death and Funeral March from Gotterdammerung.

Traubel is electric in the final Immolation Scene from Gotterdammerung, and Toscanini conducts throughout both with his trademark intensity and with a lyricism that you seldom find in Wagner conductors.

As I've said, it's a real shame that we don't have a complete Toscanini Ring Cycle, but this is as close as we're going to get, so this CD is highly recommended. As a Wagner/Ring Cycle starter kit, this is surpassed only by the Bruno Walter Act I of Die Walkure, also featuring Melchior. I would grab this CD.

Great recordings, well restored.......2001-02-24

I am very familiar with these recordings, from their earlier LP and CD issues. This issue is the best sounding of all. The interpretations are without parallel in their sheer dynamism and unanimity and the voices of Traubel and Melchior are heard at their best. I am particularly pleased with the quality of the release of the Immolation Scene recording, plagued by various defects in earlier issues, as described by the producer of these records, Charles O'Connell, in his book, "The Other Side of the Record". Here it seems we have for the first time the original masters, without the subsequent doctoring and re-recording which plagued the earlier issues of this recording. As a result the recording lives up to its reputation at last, sounding truly impressive in spite of its 1940 vintage, using the primiitive portable recording machines of the time. Here the voice of Helen Traubel, one of the great vocal instruments of the 20th Century, is heard to full advantage, and the sound of the NBC Symphony in Carnegie Hall is more realistic than it ever sounded in later records.

powerful and committed.......2000-07-29

I have not heard this particular re-release but am very familiar with the earliest issues on LP and CD of these recordings. It almost goes without saying that the original pressings on vinyl had very poor sound quality - one critic used the term execrable, and one could hardly be more uncomplimentary than that - but the first CD transfers had some of the background hissing and popping removed. The interpretations have a level of incisiveness and unaminity of orchestral attack that have never been equalled to this day, even though they were recorded as I recall in 1940 or 1941. Some might find the very incisive final chords to the Siegfried's Rhine Journey, which employs the concert ending, rather too hard. On the other hand, the end of the Immolation Music still has crushing power, with plenty of percussion, in spite of the unfavourable recording conditions. The Forest Murmurs excerpt is warm and almost Italiante in feeling. Toscanini takes great care during the Zu neuen Thaten excerpt to play Brunnhilde's music with some affection, and when the dialogue goes to Siegfried there is a sudden heroic stridency of tempo. I have not heard this music played quite this way by any other conductor, but it works. Vocally there is nothing to complain about either. This has to be heard to be fully appreciated. Recommended.

Average customer rating: BEWARE: cut to fit on a single disc

Wagner: Die Walküre (Act 1; Act 2, Scenes 3 & 5) Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD 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 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 Similar Items: Wagner: Die Walküre, Act 3 Wagner: Die Walküre Strauss: Four Last Songs/12 Orchestral Songs Wagner: Götterdämmerung Wagner: The Ring ASIN: B000EF5MJA Release Date: 2006-03-07

Tracks:

1. Prelude
2. Wes Herd Dies Ach Sei
3. Einen Unseligen Labtest Du
4. Mud' Am Herd Fand Ich Den Mann
5. Friedmund Darf Ich Nichet Heiben
6. Die So Leidig Los Dir Beschied
7. Ich Weib Ein Wildes Geschlecht
8. Ein Schwert Verhieb Mir Der Vater
9. Schalfst Du, Gast?
10. Wintersturme Wichen Dem Wonnemond
11. Du Bist Der Lenz
12. O Subeste Wonne!
13. Siegmund Heib'ich
14. Raste Nun Heir, Gonne Dir Ruh!
15. Hinweg! Flieh Die Entweihte!
16. Zauberfest Bezahmt Ein Schlaf
17. Wehwalt! Wehwalt!

Customer Reviews:

BEWARE: cut to fit on a single disc.......2006-04-07

The 5 stars are for the performance.

Before buying this release you should note the following:

Although it states on the front cover "The complete recordings made in Vienna in June 1935" the following notice appears on the last page of the booklet:

"...to accomodate all these famous recordings on one CD, it was necessary to make two cuts in the orchestral music that precedes and follows the third scene of Act 2. The interlude between scenes 2 and 3 has been cut by 1'19", and Scene 3 starts at the moment in the score when Siegmund and Sieglinde, fleeing from Hunding, appear on the mountain-top, where Siegmund urges his sister to rest. The scene ends at the point where Sieglinde, terrified by thoughts of what Hunding's hounds might do to Siegmund, faints into the arms of her brother and sinks unconscious into his lap. Part of the postlude to this scene(47") and the whole of the prelude to Scene 4 (2'07") have been cut."

It's really quite dishonest of EMI to state on the front cover that this is the complete recording when, clearly, it is not. Had I known it was abridged I would not have purchased it. there are other versions in circulation. Being a huge fan of Bruno Walter and of Wagner's Ring I have long wanted to add this recording to my collection. Now that I have finally done so I find my enjoyment of it considerably dampened by the feeling that I was duped.

UPDATE:
I went to the EMI website and sent them a message about this. Within an hour I received the following e-mail in reply:

"Dear Mr._______

I have passed your comments on to those who look after this series and they agree that the description is inaccurate. There was a late change and this wasn't reflected in the packaging for which we apologize - this will be corrected in the future.

Regards

Ray"

Track Listings:

1. Legendary Recordings 2
2. Manuel De Falla: La Vida Breve
3. Masterworks
4. Mussorgsky/Ravel: Pictures at an Exhibition; Rimsky-Korsakov: Capriccio espagnole; Tchaikovsky: Capriccio italien
5. Nocturnes Opus 9
6. Pertile Edition 1
7. Philadelphia Years
8. Philadelphia Years 3
9. Piano Concerti of Our Time
10. Piano Concerto 2

Track Listings

track listings

Track Listings

Flight Recorder: From Pinkertons Assorted Colours To The Flying Machine

Hummel: Piano Sonatas, Vol. 1

King of the Blues [Box set]

Early Bird

Morgan: Nova Solis

Learning From Falling

Let's Play!

Mendelssohn: Piano Concertos

In a Different Light

Laughin' to Keep from Cryin'

One Time Bells

Monsters in Love [Import]

Mind of the Wonderful [CD-single] [Import]

Fuel on the Fire

Vasos Vacios