COMPOSERS: Wagner/Humperdinck
LABELS: RCA Gold Seal
WORKS: Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg (excerpts); Götterdämmerung (excerpts); Lohengrin (excerpts); Tannhäuser (excerpts); Dream Pantomime from Hänsel und Gretel
PERFORMER: Chicago SO, RCA Victor Orchestra/Fritz Reiner
CATALOGUE NO: 09026 61792 2 ADD stereo/mono (1959/50)
Tantalisingly brief chunks that make one regret all the more that Reiner never made a studio recording of a complete Wagner opera. There’s no question that these performances must rank among the most gripping in the catalogue. Not only is the playing stunningly disciplined in execution, but Reiner manages to draw an infinite range of colours from the orchestra. Sound quality in the earlier RCA Victor Orchestra sessions is more variable, but it does not detract in any way from the obvious attractions of this release. Erik Levi
Wagner/Humperdinck
Tantalisingly brief chunks that make one regret all the more that Reiner never made a studio recording of a complete Wagner opera. There’s no question that these performances must rank among the most gripping in the catalogue. Not only is the playing stunningly disciplined in execution, but Reiner manages to draw an infinite range of colours from the orchestra. Sound quality in the earlier RCA Victor Orchestra sessions is more variable, but it does not detract in any way from the obvious attractions of this release. Erik Levi
Our rating
5
Published: January 20, 2012 at 2:32 pm
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