Strauss: Also Sprach Zarathustra; Four Last Songs; Die Frau ohne Schatten (excerpt)

This wonderfully shaped Zarathustra confirms Reiner’s reputation as an interpreter of the Strauss tone poems. The Chigaco Symphony’s playing is glorious, but the sound lacks definition and some of the climaxes lose impact as a result. In the Four Last Songs Leontyne Price gives an unusually dramatic interpretation, while the orchestra accompanies with great sensitivity. The extract from Die Frau is substantial and compelling, though inevitably it leaves the listener thirsting for more. Terry Barfoot

Our rating

5

Published: January 20, 2012 at 2:34 pm

COMPOSERS: Strauss
LABELS: RCA Victor
WORKS: Also Sprach Zarathustra; Four Last Songs; Die Frau ohne Schatten (excerpt)
PERFORMER: Leontyne Price, Patricia Clark; Chicago SO/Fritz Reiner; New Philharmonia/Erich Leinsdorf
CATALOGUE NO: GD 86722 ADD (1962/73)

This wonderfully shaped Zarathustra confirms Reiner’s reputation as an interpreter of the Strauss tone poems. The Chigaco Symphony’s playing is glorious, but the sound lacks definition and some of the climaxes lose impact as a result. In the Four Last Songs Leontyne Price gives an unusually dramatic interpretation, while the orchestra accompanies with great sensitivity. The extract from Die Frau is substantial and compelling, though inevitably it leaves the listener thirsting for more. Terry Barfoot

This website is owned and published by Our Media Ltd. www.ourmedia.co.uk
© Our Media 2024