Richard Strauss: Ein Heldenleben; Don Juan

1. Don Juan, tone poem for orchestra, Op. 20
Composed by Richard Strauss
Performed by Dresden Staatskapelle with Kai Vogler
Conducted by Giuseppe Sinopoli

2. Ein Heldenleben (A Hero's Life), tone poem for orchestra, Op. 40 Der Held
Composed by Richard Strauss
Performed by Dresden Staatskapelle with Kai Vogler
Conducted by Giuseppe Sinopoli

3. Ein Heldenleben (A Hero's Life), tone poem for orchestra, Op. 40 Des Helden Widersacher
Composed by Richard Strauss
Performed by Dresden Staatskapelle with Kai Vogler
Conducted by Giuseppe Sinopoli

4. Ein Heldenleben (A Hero's Life), tone poem for orchestra, Op. 40 Des Helden Gefährtin
Composed by Richard Strauss
Performed by Dresden Staatskapelle with Kai Vogler
Conducted by Giuseppe Sinopoli

5. Ein Heldenleben (A Hero's Life), tone poem for orchestra, Op. 40 Des Helden Walstatt
Composed by Richard Strauss
Performed by Dresden Staatskapelle with Kai Vogler
Conducted by Giuseppe Sinopoli

6. Ein Heldenleben (A Hero's Life), tone poem for orchestra, Op. 40 Des Helden Friedenswerke
Composed by Richard Strauss
Performed by Dresden Staatskapelle with Kai Vogler
Conducted by Giuseppe Sinopoli

7. Ein Heldenleben (A Hero's Life), tone poem for orchestra, Op. 40 Des Helden Weltflucht Und Vollendung
Composed by Richard Strauss
Performed by Dresden Staatskapelle with Kai Vogler
Conducted by Giuseppe Sinopoli

Tracks:

An Alpine Symphony, Op.64: Night - Sunrise - Berliner Philharmoniker
An Alpine Symphony, Op.64: The Ascent - Berliner Philharmoniker
An Alpine Symphony, Op.64: Entering The Wood - Berliner Philharmoniker
An Alpine Symphony, Op.64: Wandering By The Brook - By The Waterfall - Apparition - Berliner Philharmoniker
An Alpine Symphony, Op.64: Flowery Meadows - On The Mountain Pasture - On The Wrong Track Through Thickets And Undergrowth - On The Glacier - Berliner Philharmoniker
An Alpine Symphony, Op.64: Precarious moments - On The Summit - Vision - Berliner Philharmoniker
An Alpine Symphony, Op.64: Rising Mists - The Sun Gradually Dims - Elegy - Berliner Philharmoniker
An Alpine Symphony, Op.64: Calm Before The Storm - Berliner Philharmoniker
An Alpine Symphony, Op.64: Thunderstorm, Descent - Berliner Philharmoniker
An Alpine Symphony, Op.64: Sunset - Berliner Philharmoniker
An Alpine Symphony, Op.64: Epilogue - Night - Berliner Philharmoniker
Don Juan, Op.20: Tone Poem After Nikolaus Lenau - Berliner Philharmoniker
Waltzes From Act III - Berliner Philharmoniker

Tracks:

Thus Spake Zarathustra, Op.30: Introduction - Michel Schwalbe
Thus Spake Zarathustra, Op.30: Of The Backworldsmen - Michel Schwalbe
Thus Spake Zarathustra, Op.30: Of The Great Longing - Michel Schwalbe
Thus Spake Zarathustra, Op.30: Of Joys And Passions - Michel Schwalbe
Thus Spake Zarathustra, Op.30: The Song Of The Grave - Michel Schwalbe
Thus Spake Zarathustra, Op.30: Of Science - Michel Schwalbe
Thus Spake Zarathustra, Op.30: The Convalescent - Michel Schwalbe
Thus Spake Zarathustra, Op.30: The Dance Song - Michel Schwalbe
Thus Spake Zarathustra, Op.30: Song Of The Night Wanderer - Michel Schwalbe
Festival Prelude, Op.61 - Wolfgang Meyer
Till Eulenspiegel's Merry Pranks, Op.28 - Berliner Philharmoniker
Salome, Op.54: Dance Of The Seven Veils - Berliner Philharmoniker

Tracks:

A Hero's Life, Op.40: The Hero - Erich Muhlbach
A Hero's Life, Op.40: The Hero's Adversaries - Erich Muhlbach
A Hero's Life, Op.40: The Hero's Companion - Erich Muhlbach
A Hero's Life, Op.40: The Hero's Battlefield - Erich Muhlbach
A Hero's Life, Op.40: The Hero's Works Of Peace - Erich Muhlbach
A Hero's Life, Op.40: The Hero's Retirement From The World And Fulfilment - Erich Muhlbach
Death And Transfiguration, Op.24 - Staatskapelle Dresden

Customer Reviews:

first-rate interpretations, second-rate recorded sound.......2006-07-30

What admirable interpretations from Böhm! He breathes so much character into each of the musical "paragraphs" in these readings. Each theme is given its own distinct tempo, chosen with exceptional judgement to emphasize its idiosyncracies and expressive character; and Böhm can turn his orchestra on a dime when a good deal of contrast is called for between the end of one paragraph and beginning of the next. There's also enourmous dynamic range and contrast, form the softest pianissimi to thundering fortissimi. These are readings that really bring out the broad ebb and flow of these long pieces, emphasizing the structure, the architecture of them. They're really fantastic.

Do be warned, though, that the recorded sound is very dated: generally it's rather one-dimensional and the resolution is not very high, so that you mostly hear only the most prominent voices of the ensemble at any given time. It's at its worst in the Alpine Symphony, which sounds like a scratchy, screechy 1930's film soundtrack. In the rest of the pieces it ranges from good to serviceable; but if there's any repertoire that really benefits from today's high-fidelity recording technology, massive post-Romantic orchestral scores like these are certainly a front-runner. Buy this set for the marvellous interpretations, but you'll want to explore other, better-recorded readings as well to really hear the full depth and resonance of the orchestral sound.

Not worth it!!!!!!!.......2006-07-19

This seems like a great deal with the amount of material and the price, but the truth is "cheap price, cheap recordings" . I highly suggest if you want to get the most of Richard Strauss's tone poems you should buy different recordings. The main thing I was disappointed with on this box set was the recording of An Alpine Symphony. The recording of the alpine symphony was too old and weak, sloppy and loud (only at times),and just ok overall. The alpine symphony is on the first cd so I after I listened to that, I had a bad attitude about the rest of it. Even though, all of the other recordings are pretty good or ok.

Personally, I would suggest Karajan and the Berlin Philharmonic when it comes to Richard Strauss's tone poems.

Wonderful Interpretation throughout........2006-01-01

This collection is a wonderful package in that it brings together one of Strauss's life friends and largest advocates (Karl Bohm) with two incredible GERMAN orchestras playing their own nationalistic music.

These recordings rank among my most cherished and loved. Highlights (for me) include the climax of sunrise in the Alpine Symphony, the huge reverberations as the massive sound of the fff chords carry over into silence in Heldenleben, and the wicked-crazy horns as they rip through the Waltz from Rosenkavalier.

These are prime interpretations (better, I feel than any other -- and I mean ANY - sorry Karajan fans!!!). And these two wonderful forces play their musical heritage with passion and brilliance.

As another reviewer pointed out, the sound quality leaves something to be desired, however it is not quite as bad as they would have us believe. What we first must take into account is that Strauss' huge tone poems put enormous demands on the recording equipment of its day that could not be met. Also, Bohm was stressed above all else that "the melody be prominent". Yes - as a result the recording really kicks out the melody line.

Okay - take that into account and listen to these with some imagination. I assure you that you will be able to hear the detail of Strauss' music - but more importantly the style and idea of it. Listen like you would look at a black and white photo. While the B&W leaves more for your imagination, you still "get the picture" - and sometimes the B&W reveales more! It's exactly the same with this incredible box of Strauss.

The interpretation is absolutely stunning and revealing. Bohm nailed this on the head and truly captured the essence of this music. I feel this is a wonderful place for you to start if you know little Strauss - and if you know much about Strauss, this is a great place for you to hear a different, but seemingly perfect interpretation of Strauss.

Average customer rating:

Orchestral Trumpet Player's Bible:
Essential Recording for Any Trumpet Player
Most Excellent
Awesome!
Excellent for aspiring trumpet players, otherwise...

Orchestral Excerpts For Trumpet

Manufacturer: Summit(Classical)
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Magnificats | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Philip Smith, Prinicpal Trumpet of the New York Philharmonic
David Hickman, Trumpet
Sergei Nakariakov - No Limit
Orchestral Excerpts For Horn
Famous Classical Trumpet Concertos

ASIN: B0000038JG
Release Date: 1995-02-07

Tracks:

Trumpet concerto: Brandenburg Concerto No.2 - Trumpet Concerto
Petrouchka
Pictures at an Exhibition
Leonore Nos. 3&2
Ein Heldenleben
Symphony No.5
Scheherazade
Don Juan
Fetes
Piano Concerto In G
Piano Cto. No. 1
Pines Of Rome
Concerto For Orchestra
Carmen Prelude
Firebird Suite
Parsifal Prelude
La Mer
Symphony No. 2
Symphony No. 3 (Post Horn)
Capriccio Espagnol
American In Paris
Magnificat

Customer Reviews:

Orchestral Trumpet Player's Bible:.......2003-05-08

I carry this recording around with me in my case, and listen to it before auditions, concerts, rehearsals, etc. It's simply how the excerpts (along with trumpet playing in general) should sound. Smith's virtuostic playing, coupled with his vast orchestral experience, really teach the parts. All trumpet players, top to bottom, have something to learn from this CD--and while the entire work (with orchestra) and part should be studied (Smith actually recommends this), it is still very useful to hear one of the finest players on earth performing just the trumpet part.

Essential Recording for Any Trumpet Player.......2001-05-24

If any principal orchestral trumpet player has succeeded Adolph Herseth as the "state of the art," the probable consensus among his peers would be Philip Smith of the New York Philharmonic. His virtually flawless technique, gourgeous sound, rarified musicianship and exceptional leadership make him virtually unique in his field, and his more than 20 years with the Philharmonic (plus his early years with the Chicago Symphony) have firmly established him as one of the greats in the history of orchestral brass performance.

Measured simply as a documentation of his skills, this recording would be an extraordinary document - the playing throughout is stupendous. But this is much more than that; Mr. Smith proves to be as articulate (mild "New Yoahk" accent and all) as he is talented, and his performance suggestions are truly helpful, even for those of us without his superhuman abilities. The recorded sound is superb, and overall this is a joy to listen to at every level. I recommend it without reservation for any trumpet player aspiring to a higher level of musicianship and performance - and if you play it at full volume shortly after your warmup, your neighbors will be very impressed.

Most Excellent.......1999-12-13

As a trumpet player, I must say that Phil Smith's comments during each track are immensely beneficial. His thoughts have produced profound understanding in my trumpet playing, and despite the fact that this CD is intended as a grouping of Phil Smith's insights into common Orchestral Excerpts and his following demonstration, I have countless times listened out of pure enjoyment than to gain expert insight. His tone is the most beautiful I have ever heard, and it shows on this CD. I recommend this particularly for any aspiring trumpet student.

Awesome!.......1999-10-25

The previous reviewer of this CD missed the point of the CD. Lets say your working on the Carmern Prelude or Stravinsky Pétrouchka you buy this CD, and learn how Philip Smith (one of the greatest symphonic trumpet players in the world) would interpret and play it. Thats why its entitled Orchestra Trumpet Excerpts.

Excellent for aspiring trumpet players, otherwise..........1999-05-31

This CD would be excellent for aspiring orchestral trumpeters and soloists; although Philip Smith conveys his expertise exceptionally well, this short snips of music on this CD are no substitute for the actual full-orchestra recordings.

Average customer rating:

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

Strauss: Orchestral Works

Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Dances | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

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Debussy, Ravel: Orchestral Works
Bruckner: The Complete Symphonies
Sibelius: The Complete Symphonies & Tone Poems
Liszt: Works for Piano and Orchestra
Symphonies 1-3 / Piano Concerto 1-4 / Isle of Dead

ASIN: B000026D4K
Release Date: 1999-11-16

Tracks:

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

Tracks:

Burleske
Parergon zur Sinfonia Domestica, Op. 73
Panathenaenzug, Op. 74

Tracks:

Till Eulenspiegels lustige Streiche, Op. 28
Don Juan, Op. 20
Ein Heldenleben, Op. 40: The Hero
Ein Heldenleben, Op. 40: The Hero's Adversaries
Ein Heldenleben, Op. 40: The Hero's Wife
Ein Heldenleben, Op. 40: Certainty Of Victory
Ein Heldenleben, Op. 40: The Hero's Battlefield
Ein Heldenleben, Op. 40: War Fanfares
Ein Heldenleben, Op. 40: The Hero's Work Of Peace
Ein Heldenleben, Op. 40: The Hero's Withdrawl From The World
Ein Heldenleben, Op. 40: Renunciation

Tracks:

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

Tracks:

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

Tracks:

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

Tracks:

Metamorphosen: Study For 23 Solo Strings
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: Night
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: Sunrise
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: The Ascent
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: Entering The Forest
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: Strolling By The Stream
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: By The Waterfall
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: Apparition
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: In Flowery Meadows
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: In A Mountain Pasture
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: Lost In The Thickets And Undergrowth
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: On The Glacier
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: Dangerous Moments
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: On The Summit
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: Vision
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: Mists Rise Up
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: The Sun Grows Dark
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: Elegy
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: Quiet Before The Storm
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: A Thunderstorm - Descent
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: Sunset
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: Conclusion
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: Night

Tracks:

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

Tracks:

Don Quixote, Op. 35: Introduktion (Massiges Zeitmass)
Don Quixote, Op. 35: Massig (Don Quixote)
Don Quixote, Op. 35: Maggiore (Sancho Panza)
Don Quixote, Op. 35: Variation I: The adventure with the windmills
Don Quixote, Op. 35: Variation II: The battle with the sheep
Don Quixote, Op. 35: Variation III: Discourse between knight and squire
Don Quixote, Op. 35: Variation IV: The adventure with the pilgrims
Don Quixote, Op. 35: Variation V: The knight's vigil
Don Quixote, Op. 35: Variation VI: The meeting with Dulcinea
Don Quixote, Op. 35: Variation VII: The ride through the air
Don Quixote, Op. 35: Variation VIII: The voyage in the enchanted boat
Don Quixote, Op. 35: Variation IX: The combat with the two magicians
Don Quixote, Op. 35: Variation X: The defeat of Don Quixote
Don Quixote, Op. 35: Finale (Sehr ruhig)
Dance Suite from harpsichord pieces by Francois Couperin: I: Entree and stately round
Dance Suite from harpsichord pieces by Francois Couperin: II: Courante
Dance Suite from harpsichord pieces by Francois Couperin: III: Carillon
Dance Suite from harpsichord pieces by Francois Couperin: IV: Sarabande
Dance Suite from harpsichord pieces by Francois Couperin: V: Gavotte
Dance Suite from harpsichord pieces by Francois Couperin: VI: Tourbillon - Wirbeltanz
Dance Suite from harpsichord pieces by Francois Couperin: VIII: Allemande
Dance Suite from harpsichord pieces by Francois Couperin: VIII: March

Amazon.com essential recording

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

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

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

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

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

Customer Reviews:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Warmly recommended!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Average customer rating:

How to win a job

Orchestral Excerpts for Cello

Manufacturer: Summit(Classical)
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Orchestra Excerpts for Viola
Orchestral Excerpts for Violin

ASIN: B0000038KY
Release Date: 1998-01-27

Tracks:

William Tell Ov
Sym No.1
Sym No.2
Pno Con
Don Juan
Ein Heldenleben
Don Quixote
Sym No.2
Enigma Vars
Sym No.5
Sym No. 8
La Mer
Requiem (Offertorio)
Marriage of Figaro Ov
Syms No.40 & No.35
Midsummer Nights Dream
Sym No.4
Sym No.4
Sym No.6
Sym No.5

Customer Reviews:

How to win a job.......2006-06-12

Leonard does a wonderful job introducing each excerpt by describing common mistakes made on each piece in auditions and how to avoid them. Also gives advice on tempos, bowings, and fingerings. A wonderful resource, even for noncellists. I'm a bassist and have found many helpful hints to fix problems. A must have for any cellist or bassist hoping to give better auditions and even play better in an orchestra on these common excerpts.

Average customer rating:

Truly great Strauss conducting from Haitink
5 grandes poemas y una hermosa suite
Get this for the wonderful Heldenleben.
Zarathustra said "nevermore"
Just onde for Jochum?

Richard Strauss: 5 Great Tone Poems

Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Great Recordings Of The Century - Beethoven: Triple Concerto; Brahms: Double Concerto / Oistrakh, Rostropovich, Richter
Beethoven: Symphonien Nos. 5 & 7 / Kleiber, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra

ASIN: B000004198
Release Date: 1994-08-16

Tracks:

Don Juan, Op. 20
Ein Heldenleben, Op. 40 -: Der Held
Ein Heldenleben, Op. 40 -: Des Helden Widersacher
Ein Heldenleben, Op. 40 -: Des Helden Gefahrtin
Ein Heldenleben, Op. 40 -: Des Helden Walstatt
Ein Heldenleben, Op. 40 -: Des Helden Friedenswerke
Ein Heldenleben, Op. 40 -: Des Helden Weltflucht und Vollendung
Les joyeuses plaisanteries de Till l'Espiegle: Till Eulenspiegels lustige Streiche, Op.28

Tracks:

Also sprach Zarathustra, Op. 30: (Sonnenaufgang)
Also sprach Zarathustra, Op. 30: Von den Hinterweltlern
Also sprach Zarathustra, Op. 30: Von der grossen Sehnsucht
Also sprach Zarathustra, Op. 30: Von den Freuden und Leidenschaften
Also sprach Zarathustra, Op. 30: Das Grablied
Also sprach Zarathustra, Op. 30: Von der Wissenschaft
Also sprach Zarathustra, Op. 30: Der Genesende
Also sprach Zarathustra, Op. 30: Das Tanzlied
Also sprach Zarathustra, Op. 30: Das Nachtwandlerlied
Mort et transfiguration: Tod und Verklarung, Op. 24
Der Rosenkavalier, Op.59: First Suite of Waltzes
Der Rosenkavalier, Op.59: Second Suite of Waltzes

Customer Reviews:

Truly great Strauss conducting from Haitink.......2005-09-18

Philips outdid itself with wonderfully warm, clear, detailed sonics for Haitink's Also Sprach Zarathustra, and he obliged the engineers with a super-detailed reading that is riveting in every way. There is not a touch of Solti's vulgarity, and although I never thought I'd say it, this recording sounds better and comes off more dramatically than even Karajan's. Let's call it a tie. Everything else is wonderful as well.

5 grandes poemas y una hermosa suite.......2004-11-30

Bernard Haitink gano los mas pretigiosos premios con su serie de grabaciones de los poemas sinfónicos de Liszt y siguio su marcha de espectacular interpretacion con estos poemas sinfónicos verdaderamente notables.
Muerte y transfiguración, vida de heroe, don Juan y la siempre reducida a la introduccion Asi hablo Zaratustra son obras musicales que permaneceran como muchas en lo mas alto de la composición clasica y Haitink entre sus interpretes mas sobresalientes.
Este es un Cd de colección con obras grandiosas, geniales, llenas de emocion y magia, de sentimentalismo y plenas de innovadora genialidad.
Suma a esta maravillosa coleccion una sublime pieza de gran belleza, la suite del Caballero de la Rosa es notable y ademas en la soberbia direccion de Eugen Jochum, quien tomando a su cargo la orquesta del concertgebouw (patrimonio de Haitink) nos deslumbra y hace que la elección sea mas que satisfactoria, verdaderamente irresistible.

Get this for the wonderful Heldenleben........2003-08-25

The star of this Duo set is the Heldenleben, which alone is enough to justify the money spent. Hermann Krebbers plays the violin solos magnificently and Haitink gives a strongly expansive reading. However, the same expansive approach does not work too well in "Zarathustra" and "Tod", which have a certain Brucknerian stodginess. You will be left wishing for a bit more pace and brio in the playing. "Don Juan" and "Till Eulenspiegel" are excellently paced and played however. They are among the best performances I have ever heard.

Zarathustra said "nevermore".......2001-02-04

I thought it was impossible for any conductor or orchestra to screw up the introduction to "Also Sprach," but Haitink and the Concertgebouw prove it can be done. I will mainly focus on this introduction, as I am rarely able to listen to any more after hearing such an abomination right away. The orchestra leaves spaces in the passages wide enough to drive a truck through, and at the finale there is enough time to get up for some coffee between each chord. For anyone who saw 2001 and wanted a really good recording of the intro, plus some other good works, do not buy this album. It merely leaves you cold and angry that anyone would treat a piece of such majesty so. It's choppy, aimless, and infuriating. You can bet I will never again purchase any album that features the name Haitink.

Just onde for Jochum?.......2000-07-18

excelent music, lots of listening time and...why just one op. for Jochum?

Average customer rating:

Essential listening for serious horn students
Know what you're buying!
5 star performance
Orchestral Excerpts for Horn by A. David Krehbiel
A Horn Player's Essential!

Orchestral Excerpts For Horn

Manufacturer: Summit(Classical)
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Virtuoso Horn
The Magic of the French Horn
Orchestral Excerpts For Trumpet
American Horn Quartet
Mozart: Horn Concertos Nos. 1-4

ASIN: B0000038JD
Release Date: 1995-02-08

Tracks:

Quoniam, b Mass: Brandenburg Con No. 1
Sym No. 3
Sym No. 6
Sym No. 7
Sym No. 9
Fidelio Ov
Sym No. 1
Sym No. 2
Sym No. 3
Sym No. 4
Pno Con No. 2
Sym No. 1
Nocturne
Sym No. 5
Don Juan
Ein Heldenleben
Till Eulenspiegel
Sym No. 4
Sym No. 5
Siegfried's Hn Call

Customer Reviews:

Essential listening for serious horn students.......2002-10-15

It is not often that one has the chance to hear one of the world's great principal hornists play many of the prominent orchestral solos up close. This CD provides a wonderful opportunity to listen to the technical and interpretational qualities that are needed to play in a top notch professional orchestra!

Know what you're buying!.......2001-05-15

The consumer who rated this CD with one star was obviously not paying attention when he or she ordered it. Orchestral "excerpts"? Hello!?! This is a CD for the instruction and enjoyment of the horn player. It is _not_ a CD of full symphonies in which the horns just happen to be playing. Don't blame the CD or its author for your ignorance!

5 star performance.......2001-02-19

This CD does not deserve 1 star!!! If you are a horn player who cares about any kind of music expression at all, you will like this CD. He simply tells you how to feel the music. This CD is especially useful to horn players that will be auditioning for a University, Orchestra, or music conservatory. I highly recommend this CD for any horn player who CARES ABOUT MUSIC EXPRESSION. I still do not see how it is humanly possible to give a CD with so much music interpretation one star!!! The nerve!

Orchestral Excerpts for Horn by A. David Krehbiel.......2000-09-29

If you enjoy sitting back and listening to your latest classical CD acquisition, you will not want this one!!

It may not be listed in the album's description, but this is a lecture on music, with the music used as exeplary of the monologue.

If you want a nice music lecture, this is fine, but if you just want orchestral horn music by Bach, Beethoven, Brahms, et al. STEER CLEAR OF THIS CD.

A Horn Player's Essential!.......2000-06-12

This cd is perfect for the aspiring horn player. Not only does the horn-god Krehbiel magnificently play these famous excerpts, he talks about them and the feelings behind the melodies. He tries to convey in words as well as by example, an interpretation of how they can be played. This cd is a wondrous compilation of the basic symphonic horn repertoire and should accompany any horn player practicing for auditions. Buy this cd and you won't be sorry!

Average customer rating:

Solti cracks the whip
Good, but..
A problematic set
Awesome performances
if you like the big sound, this CD is hard to beat

Richard Strauss Concert

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

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The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Richard Strauss : Also Sprach Zarathustra / Previn, Vienna PO
Strauss: Also sprach Zarathustra, etc / Herbert von Karajan, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
Strauss: Four Last Songs / Karajan, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
Strauss: Also Sprach Zarathustra, Don Juan / Karajan
Tchaikovsky Symphonic Poems / Manfred Symphony

ASIN: B00000422Q
Release Date: 1994-10-11

Tracks:

Ein Heldenleben, Op. 40: Der Held - The Hero
Ein Heldenleben, Op. 40: Des Helden Widersacher - The Hero's Enemies
Ein Heldenleben, Op. 40: Des Helden Gefahrtin - The Hero's Companion
Ein Heldenleben, Op. 40: Des Helden Walstatt - The Hero's Deeds Of War
Ein Heldenleben, Op. 40: Des Helden Friedenswerke - The Hero's Works Of Peace
Ein Heldenlbean, Op. 40: Des Helden Weltflucht und Vollendung - The Hero's Retirement From The World
Also sprach Zarathustra, Op. 30: Einleitung - Introduction
Also sprach Zarathustra, Op. 30: Von den Hinterweltlern - Of The Backworldsmen
Also sprach Zarathustra, Op. 30: Von der grossen Sehnsucht - Of The Great Longing
Also sprach Zarathustra, Op. 30: Von den Freuden - und Leidenschaften - O Joys And Passions
Also sprach Zarathustra, Op.30: Das Grablied - Dirge
Also sprach Zarathustra, Op. 30: Von der Wissenschaft - Of Science
Also sprach Zarathustra, Op. 30: Der Genesende - The Convalescent
Also sprach Zarathustra, Op. 30: Das Tanzlied - Dance Song
Also sprach Zarathustra, Op. 30: Nachtwandlerlied - Night-Wanderer's Song

Tracks:

Don Juan, Op. 20
Till Eulenspiegles lustige Streiche, Op. 28
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: Nacht - Night
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: Sonnenaufgang - Sunrise
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: Der Ansteig - The Ascent
Ein Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: Eintritt in den Wald - Entry Into The Wood - Wanderung neben dem Bach - Wandering By The Brook
Ein Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: Am Wasserfall - At The Waterfall
Ein Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: Erscheinung - Apparitioin
Ein Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: Auf blumigen Wiesen - On Flowering Meadows
Ein Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: Aurf dem Alm - On Alpine Pasture
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: Durch Dickicht und Gestrupp auf Irrwegen
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: Auf dem Gletscher - On The Glacier
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: Gefahrvolle Augenblicke - Dangerous Moments - Auf dem Gipfel - On The Summit
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: Vision
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: Nebel steigne auf - Mists Rise
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: Die Sonne verdustert sich allmahlich - The Sun IS Gradually Obscured
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: Elegie - Elegy
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: Stille vor dem Sturm - Calm Before The Storm
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: Gewitter nd Sturm Abstieg - Thunder And Tempest, Descent
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: Sonnenuntergang - Sunset
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: Ausklang - Fading Tones
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: Nacht - Night

Customer Reviews:

Solti cracks the whip.......2005-09-18

These were spectacular readings sonically in their day, although they sound shrill and wiry on this CD set...I don't know what hapened here. As interpretations, it's Solti in high gear all the way, with lots of drive but no refinement or even a bit of relaxation here and there. Breathless, dynamic readings for Solti fans only.

Good, but.........2001-08-07

Most of the performances on this CD are very exciting and satisfying from a musical standpoint. The CSO in the 70's combined with Solti produce energy in their readings that in my experience is rare either on recording or in live performance. It is worth it to point out that in the recording of Till, there is a huge blunder by the orchestra: in the passage leading up to the final death scene of the hero, a passage of very fast and difficult notes for the players, the orchestra actually gets lost, and for several bars, only a true cacophony of sound is heard. In a world of "perfect" recordings where every note is corrected, sometimes at the expense the musical integrity, such a passage would typically have been replaced with another take. However, the performers seem to have achieved rare heights of excitement, and aparently prefered to hear the music performed with enthusiasm even with errors rather than a conservative and unremarkable reading. Ultimately there is no single definitive recording of a piece, and we seek work of very high musical AND technical value. In the case of this recording, it's worth owning simply to hear performances of a rare kind.

A problematic set.......2000-07-20

Yes, Solti's Ein Heldenleben is powerful indeed and has merit on all fronts: tempo, power, sound...and the Zarathustra ranks up there as well...but I must disagree with Solti's interpretation of the Alpensinfonie. I was disturbed by the rushed approach, especially through some of the most beautiful legato passages and with his use of such an intrusive wind machine. The whiny sound of that machine really put me off, especially when it drowned out the orchestra. It didn't have all the punch and sublimnity that I know lies in this work, and for that, I would whole-heartedly recommend the Karajan on DG available in the Karajan Gold series sounding as sumptuous as ever. Solti for me has produced some of the most amazing recordings of the lp era (Rheingold, Gotterdammerung, Salome, Elektra, etc) but I find much of his work "streaky." When he is on, he is fantastic. When he is rushed and "off", it is a huge disappointment.

This set has its merits. Be advised that these readings are quirky, and should not be taken as definitive. There is a whole world of other recordings out there that would serve the music scores better. I recommed this set as a complement to other recordings, just to give an idea of what Sotli was (or was not) able to do with the various scores and different orchestras.

The price is a huge bonus for this set.

Awesome performances.......2000-07-13

I agree with the last reviewer: the recording of Till, Zaratustra and Don Juan are excellent, as usual for any CSO/Solti work. The sound is magnificent and I've hardly heard a better performance of Till. Even more surprising and impressive is the Alpinesinfonie by the Bavarian Rudfunk. I think this performance is much better than the Karajan/BPO one.

if you like the big sound, this CD is hard to beat.......2000-06-23

Most potential buyers of this CD will want to hear the Heldenleben with the VPO and the Zarathustra, Don Juan and Till with the CSO. It might be fair to say the most interesting item of all in this collection would be the Alpensinfonie done with the Bavarian RSO in the Herkulessaal in Munich. All of the above were originally recorded in the 1970s and this last item might have the best recording quality. It would be hard to create more amplitude than this, and the playing is as distinguished as that afforded under the direction of Richard Strauss himself when he recorded it in the 1940s with the same orchestra. All the items show Solti at his extrovert best, with excellent playing, and for many these performances are close to definitive, depending upon one's taste. I think they can be recommended alongside - but not in preference to - Karajan and Kempe, in the same period. Very appropriate packaging and presentation with fine documentation. At bargain price, this can be strongly recommended.

Richard Strauss: Ein Heldenleben / Don Juan - Staatskapelle Dresden / Giuseppe Sinopoli

Average customer rating:

Richard Strauss: Ein Heldenleben / Don Juan - Staatskapelle Dresden / Giuseppe Sinopoli

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000001GGQ
Release Date: 1993-04-13