BaL 7.06.14 - Strauss: Der Rosenkavalier

[Barbirollians]

I only have the Solti and the Varviso highlights but that is enough for me Crespin is magnificent .

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

If I'd been made to put a bet on the winner, I think I would have got it right.

[Black Swan]

I am with you EA. I would have missed the DVD selection.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

If I'd been made to put a bet on the winner, I think I would have got it right.

Yes - I suspect ami would, too. But with this reviewer and this work, I don't think Ladbrooks would have given you particularly good odds

Both recommendations limited in their appeal to me by the two Marschalins. Erich Kleiber, the later Karajan and (on film) Solti good enough for me: but an excellent BaL - RO has such a superb way of communicating.

[gradus]

I agree about RO's excellent skills as a reviewer but I disagree with him when he says that the recording quality of the Legge/ Karajan version is excellent, its rather shallow and bright to my ears on the lp version that I own. Maybe the sound has been been improved in later transfers?

[LeMartinPecheur]

I agree about RO's excellent skills as a reviewer but I disagree with him when he says that the recording quality of the Legge/ Karajan version is excellent, its rather shallow and bright to my ears on the lp version that I own. Maybe the sound has been been improved in later transfers?

That's my recollection too. Interesting what he said about the balance of the stereo version being inferior to the mono because Legge only supervised the latter.

[Dave2002]

I have a few operas in my collection but not many and not this one in particular. I seem to get more enjoyment from the other genres more, than opera. Or is it because hmmm I just don't know, really. I do like this one, so hopefully I may get a good idea from this BaL!

You probably need to go to live performances to get more enjoyment, and that takes time, and also money - sometimes a lot of money. We know you're not keen on one famous composer, so perhaps try Beethoven's Fidelio next time it comes round. Others which I would recommend are Verdi - Rigoletto or La Traviata, Puccini - Madam Butterfly or Golden Girl, Wagner - Flying Dutchman, or maybe an early one, such as one of Monteverdi's or Cavalli's. Richard Strauss can be very lush - and for a while provide a very luxurious wallow - try sections such as the Intermezzo from Capriccio. There are other "highlight" sections which avoid the need to spend hours listening for what some might consider "the good bits." On the other hand, Die Fledermaus, by another Strauss, is generally great fun.

If asked about modern operas I'd have a problem. OK - I did see the Thebans by Julian Anderson a few days ago, which as a spectacle was certainly worth seeing - but musically - really not sure. Berg's Wozzeck can be a stunning holistic experience, though musically it may be hard to listen to without the action. I can't think of many others that I really like a lot - except perhaps Stravinsky Oedipus Rex (for the music) - Rakes Progress - just about works dramatically, and Bartók Bluebeard's Castle - which has some stunning music. Oedipus and Bluebeard at least also have the merit of brevity. I find that Britten doesn't do it for me in opera - though I like some of his other works, and I've not got into Tippett's either.

I hear also that some productions abroad are very good, and significantly cheaper than in the UK, but then there's the cost of getting to the opera houses to consider. Prague and Budapest are apparently very good, and Riga was good when I visited years ago, and Andris Nelsons was in charge of the music direction.

However - all that said - there are a lot of very cheap CD and DVD boxes with operas now - though I do feel you won't get into opera unless you see at least a few live performances.

[Barbirollians]

An exemplary BAL as ever but am not tempted to add the CD winner. I borrowed it once and I just couldn't get on with it . All a bit cold for me .

The C Kleiber on the other hand ...

[Roehre]

I'll stick to my DeWaart, with a fabulous Frederica van Stade i.a.
Got it on Cassette tapes in 1978 which lasted till very recently as I lost them, now replaced by a 3CD set.

[DracoM]

Was not von Stade an Octavian at ROCG, I seem to recall?
Can't remember the date if so.

[Keraulophone]

[QUOTE=LeMartinPecheur;405273 Interesting what he said about the balance of the stereo version being inferior to the mono because Legge only supervised the latter.[/QUOTE]
Similarly, back in the days when most gramophones in the home were mono, The Beatles only bothered to supervise the mono versions of their LPs, leaving the stereo mixes to others. Purists therefore prefer the former, and a Japanese mono CD boxed set sold well.

The point about needing to see this particular opera live is well made. Having seen Lucia Popp as the Marschallin for one night only at the RFH, I have been disppointed by almost all recorded performances, with a possible preference for Crispin on the Varviso highlights disc and the C.Kleiber Munich DVD for the inspired conducting and most of the cast, particularly Popp as Sophie. As with many others, ES leaves me cold.

[Nick Armstrong]

Isn't taste odd... since I first heard it, not really understanding its iconic status, the HvK recording always seemed to me to be 'just right'... in particular, the part of the Marschallin fitting ES like a fine silk glove - the mature, aristocratic passionate woman - refined style but with a heart beating underneath. She just delivers the nuanced poignancy perfectly to my ears, plus Karajan's pacing underpins it ideally.

[verismissimo]

Isn't taste odd... since I first heard it, not really understanding its iconic status, the HvK recording always seemed to me to be 'just right'... in particular, the part of the Marschallin fitting ES like a fine silk glove - the mature, aristocratic passionate woman - refined style but with a heart beating underneath. She just delivers the nuanced poignancy perfectly to my ears, plus Karajan's pacing underpins it ideally.

For me too, Cali.
But G Jones sounded far too wobbly for my taste in RO's DVD recommendation.

[tigajen]

For me too, Cali.
But G Jones sounded far too wobbly for my taste in RO's DVD recommendation.

Yes,but he preferred this to the 'stuffy' Lott/Kleiber DVD which was dismissed in one sentence.
Heaven help us if we relied solely on such reviewers in making our choices!

[Nick Armstrong]

G Jones

I'm allergic to her voice

Yes,but he preferred this to the 'stuffy' Lott/Kleiber DVD which was dismissed in one sentence.

I had that on VHS (being a Carlos K fan)... and it was very strangely boring!