Wagner Overtures

[Guest]

So I just got home, off the bus through the slosh and when I got home, I thought Wagner Overtures. As I am a huge fan, I was wondering what the Forum recommendations on Overture discs would be. As I lived near Chicago for many years, I have 2 recordings of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
Conducted by Solti and Barenboim. What are other recommendations. I also have the excellent Szell orchestral excerpts from the Ring.

Looking forward to hearing others recommendations.

[BBMmk2]

Abbado, Karajan and Klemperer.

[Barbirollians]

Boult !!!

And look what you get thrown in with his magnificent 1970s set now for just £13.06

http://www.amazon.co.uk/From-Bach-Wagner-Adrian-Boult/dp/B0084HGZKA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1360084700&sr=8-1

[Black Swan]

Thanks, I am surprised I don't have Karajan. I have been listening to Barenboim. Not bowled over. I also have a Roger Norrington/London Classical Players CD. I have to say Karajan in Tannhauser, which is on a Wagner CD, is far better than the Barenboim recording.

[hafod]

So I just got home, off the bus through the slosh and when I got home, I thought Wagner Overtures. As I am a huge fan, I was wondering what the Forum recommendations on Overture discs would be. As I lived near Chicago for many years, I have 2 recordings of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
Conducted by Solti and Barenboim. What are other recommendations. I also have the excellent Szell orchestral excerpts from the Ring.

Looking forward to hearing others recommendations.

Boult, in this wonderful box (where you also get a great deal more for your money) currently at £13.06 but being Amazon the price is subject to unpredictable (and sometimes frequent) change. The grocer has it for £12.99 (and rarely changes prices) but lists no contents.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bach-Wagner-Sir-Adrian-Boult/dp/B0084HGZKA/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1360084045&sr=1-1

There was considerable discussion on the (huge) merits of this box recently on (I think) this thread but I can't immediately locate exactly where.

[Pipped by Barbirollians]

[cloughie]

Loads -Solti, Kempe, Jochum, Kubelik, Dorati, Tennstedt, Szell, Walter, Klemperer, Boult, Konwitschny, Sinopoli, Haitink, Ozawa...................

[Alison]

Tennstedt is to die for !

[amateur51]

For me, Knappertsbusch takes the Meistersinger overture slightly more slowly than some and is able to achieve a nice swing as well as some lovely graded dynamics

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97eRAFwkYgQ

[richardfinegold]

For me, Knappertsbusch takes the Meistersinger overture slightly more slowly than some and is able to achieve a nice swing as well as some lovely graded dynamics

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97eRAFwkYgQ

My introduction to Wagner was a "Phase 4" Decca (in the States it carried the "London" label) featuring an Argentinian (I think) conductor named Carlos Paita. I still remember the Flying Dutchman as being particularly thrilling. I've had discs by Solti, Reiner, Szell and others since, but none equalled that excitement.

[richardfinegold]

don't forget the "Siegfried Idyll" . I just heard the Walter stereo recording last night after about a 30 year absence. Wonderful stuff.

[Pabmusic]

I know that you have been impressed by Boult before, and his set (originally over four LPs) is truly fine.

[Mahler's3rd]

Theres an interesting 3 CD Set just come out recently called "The Other Wagner", Includes The Siegfried Idyll, The Eine Faust Overture, Columbus Overture & Symphony In E Major. On EMI Avaliable through Amazon for £8.44, Free Delivery

http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Other-Wagner-Various-Artists/dp/B008YKRRFO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1360144073&sr=8-1

[amateur51]

I know that you have been impressed by Boult before, and his set (originally over four LPs) is truly fine.

It's such a shame that Sir Adrian was not permitted to record Wagner with singers.

Do you know if he conducted any Wagner with singers in the concert hall, Pabs?

[Mahler's3rd]

EMI Have also released Wagner's "The Great Operas" A 36 X CD Set for £32.87 Including Free Delivery, Incredible Value. The Set includes Rudolf Kempe's "Lohengrin", WNO's "Parsifal" with (Waltrude Meier, Donald McIntyre, Reginald Goodall) & The Royal Opera's "Tristan & Isolde" (Placido Domingo, Nina Stemme, Antonio Pappano), Otto Klemperer's "Dutchman" & "Rienzi" with The Dresden Staatsopera. A Fantastic Set, Hope Thats Helps

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wagner-Great-Opera-Various-Artists/dp/tracks/B008YKRRJU/ref=dp_tracks_all_full#disc_1

[Mandryka]

I would add a small cavil about the Boult Wagner excerpts: EMI, in their parsimony, seem to only have afforded him one rather cheap-sounding bell for the Parsifal Transformation Music. So, for this particular bleeding chunk you're probably better off looking elsewhere. I don't think there is an excerpts disc of the Karajan Parsifal but the bells have always sounded splendid on that one.