Strauss: Also sprach Zarathustra; Der Rosenkavalier Waltzes; Metamorphosen; Burleske
Published:
COMPOSERS: Strauss
LABELS: Delos Double
WORKS: Also sprach Zarathustra; Der Rosenkavalier Waltzes; Metamorphosen; Burleske
PERFORMER: Carol Rosenberger (piano); Seattle Symphony/Gerard Schwarz
CATALOGUE NO: DE 3707 Reissue (1987-93)
Schwarz makes heavy, sluggish work of Zarathustra’s ‘joys and passions’, Metamorphosen’s central remembrance of better times and the lovemaking prelude of Rosenkavalier (though since its context is the messily cut-and-pasted First Waltz Sequence, who cares?). It’s a pity, because, otherwise, there is much to enjoy. The Seattle players are well up to the lavish mark, balances are remarkably clear and the demonstration-worthy recording boasts an especially handsome bass. Carol Rosenberger’s glitzy, rightly capricious way with the early Burleske gives the second disc heart and soul, though the careful, detailed treatment of Salome’s Dance is out of the ordinary, too. David Nice