Die Walküre - Kaufmann/Gergiev

[Guest]

I've searched but can find no threads on this - it featured last Saturday. Has anyone bought it? Any comments?

Also I heard an extract this morning while I was flossing my teeth on Breakfast from his Kaufmann Wagner CD and had goose-pimples which is usually followed by a twitch reaction and a mouse-click on Presto's website...but I'm hanging fire.

[Mr Pee]

I've searched but can find no threads on this - it featured last Saturday. Has anyone bought it? Any comments?

Also I heard an extract this morning while I was flossing my teeth on Breakfast from his Kaufmann Wagner CD and had goose-pimples which is usually followed by a twitch reaction and a mouse-click on Presto's website...but I'm hanging fire.

I haven't heard it myself, but it got an excellent review in The Sunday Times last weekend.

I have just pre-ordered the Blu-Rays of Rheingold and Walkure from the new Met Opera Ring. They're only 15.40 each via Amazon, which makes it cheaper to buy the cycle seperately than getting the box set, which is 95.00.

[DublinJimbo]

Also I heard an extract this morning while I was flossing my teeth on Breakfast from his Kaufmann Wagner CD and had goose-pimples which is usually followed by a twitch reaction and a mouse-click on Presto's website...but I'm hanging fire.

My main reason for getting this is the novelty value of hearing the Wesendonck Lieder performed other than by a female singer. I've listened once and am undecided if Kaufmann carries it off successfully. Perhaps subsequent listenings will persuade me.

[Karafan]

I got both the Runnicles and Gergiev sets - mainly because I am a huge Kaufmann aficionado.

Initial listenings are very favourable for both. The Gergiev SACD is in very good sound and thrillingly conducted. Kaufmann is his usual superb self (his cries of "Wälse!" would send a tingle down a dead man's spine); Stemme's Brünnhilde is a real force of nature and though she doesn't quite eclipse Varnay, Modl or Nilsson in my pantheon of greats, she is certainly a reigining goddess for our age. Kampe is a very good Sieglinde - but I cannot help comparing most assumers of this role with my gleaming, effortless favourite Janowitz (but few could rightfully claim that mantle!). Pape is a splendid Wotan though his tone is apt to spread a little under pressure; having said that the characterisation is very well thought through and he adds a magisterial tinge to his role which is how it should be.

Some have complained about the sound being dry but I have no idea whether they were listening to the RBCD layer or SACD. I was listening in the latter format and was very pleased by the detail and heft and Gergiev's conducting is excellent throughout - sample the end of Act I to hear him whipping his Mariinsky forces into a tumultuous frenzy! A worthy addition (both) to the groaning Wagner shelves

[Nick Armstrong]

Great stuff, kara, thanks for that. I at last caught up with the review from the weekend when AMcG talked with Nicholas Baragwanath.

AMcG seemed more enthusiastic (esp. about the phenomenal sound quality and transparency) than his guest (interestingly, a former répétiteur at Bayreuth) who seemed to think it lacked a sense of narrative forward momentum. Any reservations along those lines to your ears? Sounds not.

Actually, it was a little odd, unless I was distracted, we didn't hear Kaufmann in the extracts played in the programme on Saturday...

[Madame Suggia]

It is available to listen to on spotify

[Karafan]

I cannot say I was left with any reservations on the forward momentum/narrative front Cali; though most performances have a sense of longeurs in parts of Act II, but I rather think Wagner more to blame there than any interpreter! That having been said, I found Pape very moving there as he recounts the past to Brünnhilde and slowly begins to realise the way in which his past sins and misdemeanours have a bearing on his present position.

I found it a very good set, but then it is my favourite part of the Ring. Wotan's Abschied is superbly sung. The velvety breadth of Pape's voice is complemented by the rich, sepulchral hues of Gergiev's players and Wotan's great sense of power and authority is never in doubt.

Kaufmann is thrilling throughout - I have seldom heard a Wagnerian tenor of his equal since the golden days of the 1950s. The ease, command of the role and seemingly endless liquid rapture will weaken the sturdiest of knees: I challenge you!

[Nick Armstrong]

seemingly endless liquid rapture

I'll have a double, if you're buying, kara!!

[Resurrection Man]

I cannot say I was left with any reservations on the forward momentum/narrative front Cali; though most performances have a sense of longeurs in parts of Act II, but I rather think Wagner more to blame there than any interpreter! That having been said, I found Pape very moving there as he recounts the past to Brünnhilde and slowly begins to realise the way in which his past sins and misdemeanours have a bearing on his present position.

I found it a very good set, but then it is my favourite part of the Ring. Wotan's Abschied is superbly sung. The velvety breadth of Pape's voice is complemented by the rich, sepulchral hues of Gergiev's players and Wotan's great sense of power and authority is never in doubt.

Kaufmann is thrilling throughout - I have seldom heard a Wagnerian tenor of his equal since the golden days of the 1950s. The ease, command of the role and seemingly endless liquid rapture will weaken the sturdiest of knees: I challenge you!

Many thanks, indeed, Karafan for your comments. I feel my wallet being prised open....

[Karafan]

I'll have a double, if you're buying, kara!!

[LHC]

I haven't heard it myself, but it got an excellent review in The Sunday Times last weekend.

I have just pre-ordered the Blu-Rays of Rheingold and Walkure from the new Met Opera Ring. They're only 15.40 each via Amazon, which makes it cheaper to buy the cycle seperately than getting the box set, which is 95.00.

The Blu Rays are available from Sainsbury's website for £13.99 each, while the box set is £78.99.

Incidentally, the box set also includes a 2 hr documentary about this staging of the ring, "Wagner's Dream", which is also available separately. Of course, if you aren't interested in the documentary, it makes sense just to buy the individual operas.

Barenboim's Ring from Bayreuth, with John Tomlinson and Anne Evans is also coming out on Blu Ray next month. The best price so far is MDT where it is available for £55.95

[Il Grande Inquisitor]

I haven't heard it myself, but it got an excellent review in The Sunday Times last weekend.

I reviewed it a couple of weeks ago and found it superb in just about every way:

http://www.opera-britannia.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=860:die-walkuere-mariinsky&catid=11:cds&Itemid=17

[Karafan]

I reviewed it a couple of weeks ago and found it superb in just about every way:

http://www.opera-britannia.com/index...:cds&Itemid=17

Excellent review IGI! Thanks for the link.....

Karafan

[Barbirollians]

As an aside , Kaufmann's wagner recital disc is stupendous . Five well deserved stars in the Times this week.

Selections being played on CD review at the moment .

[Nick Armstrong]

As an aside , Kaufmann's wagner recital disc is stupendous . Five well deserved stars in the Times this week.

Selections being played on CD review at the moment .

... on the strength of which, corroborating 100% karafan's comments earlier on this thread, I ordered it instantly.

Any chance you could copy and paste the Times review? I don't pay to scale Mr Murdoch's wall...