BaL 20.06.15 - Wagner: Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg

[verismissimo]

The Karajan mentioned positively was, of course, the more recent Dresden one with Kollo etc (not in Alpie's list), not the 1951 Bayreuth one (which is in the list).

He was very dismissive of Lorenz's Walther as too concerned with articulation, whereas I thought it powerfully eloquent!

[Bert Coules]

...I do rather like opera, as a complete audio experience, as opposed to a visual one.

After what he regarded as the design disaster of the first Ring in 1876, Wagner agreed with you: I've invented the invisible orchestra - now I wish I could invent the invisible stage, he said.

[BBMmk2]

After what he regarded as the design disaster of the first Ring in 1876, Wagner agreed with you: I've invented the invisible orchestra - now I wish I could invent the invisible stage, he said.

Thanks Bert! :)

[Bert Coules]

The Karajan mentioned positively was, of course, the more recent Dresden one with Kollo etc.

I remember the excitement which greeted that release: for many years, the mono Kempe set had been the only mainstream recording available and a version in modern stereo sound was a much-awaited event. The Wagner Society held a public playback of the whole thing and attracted quite a crowd.

[HighlandDougie]

Pace the nits being picked with the programme, am I allowed to say how much I enjoyed it? Dr Baraganwath has a good radio voice and manner, he didn't attempt to score cheap points and there was some glorious singing to be heard. The ROH Quintet was, as he said, sublime .....

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

The Karajan mentioned positively was, of course, the more recent Dresden one with Kollo etc (not in Alpie's list), not the 1951 Bayreuth one (which is in the list).

Yes it is, veris - line 13; Staatskapelle Dresden, Herbert von Karajan.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Pace the nits being picked with the programme, am I allowed to say how much I enjoyed it? Dr Baraganwath has a good radio voice and manner, he didn't attempt to score cheap points and there was some glorious singing to be heard.

I agree - and not just because he chose most of the ones I've already got! The Furtwangler and Kempe recordings will eventually find their way into my library, but no hurry.

Zucchini will be mortified that all the CD recordings selected fro greatest praise were conducted by long-dead conductors.

[Richard Tarleton]

I agree

So do I! I was glad Sawallisch (rather overlooked on this thread) got a couple of mentions, for conducting and for the Heppner-Studer combo. I think it came 4th overall! And good to have the ROH Quintet singled out. It was a marvellous cast (with Thomas Allen's Beckmesser, also mentioned), with the late and sadly lamented Gosta Winbergh as Walter. Alan Blyth's comment about Nancy Gustafson in the booklet ("....Although she may not lead the Act 3 Quintet with quite the poise and bloom one might wish for...") seemed odd to me - OK in a newspaper review, perhaps, if that's what he thought, but in the very CD booklet?

[Petrushka]

What are views on Knappertsbusch's 1950 Decca recording? I bought this in its Naxos incarnation but haven't yet played it

I know that Kna was much better in the theatre than the recording studio but is this recording a disappointment?

[umslopogaas]

Petrushka, the dates of this recording are a bit confusing. I have the LP set (LXT 2659-64). The box is undated. The sleeves are also undated, but have the code JU 56/4, which suggests 1956. The Rough Guide to Opera says it was made in 1951. They like it very much, though think Schoeffler's voice was a little past its best. I liked it well enough to keep it, but without listening again I'd not like to say anything more, except that with such a cast, and Decca engineering, I dont think you need hesitate.

Assuming the one you are referring to isnt actually a different one, actually made in 1950? Mine stars Schoeffler, Treptow, Gueden, Edelmann, Donch, Dermota, with the Vienna State Opera Chorus and the VPO.

[Beef Oven!]

What was the recommendation?

[visualnickmos]

What was the recommendation?

Kubelik, 1967.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Petrushka, the dates of this recording are a bit confusing. I have the LP set (LXT 2659-64). The box is undated. The sleeves are also undated, but have the code JU 56/4, which suggests 1956. The Rough Guide to Opera says it was made in 1951. They like it very much, though think Schoeffler's voice was a little past its best. I liked it well enough to keep it, but without listening again I'd not like to say anything more, except that with such a cast, and Decca engineering, I dont think you need hesitate.

Assuming the one you are referring to isnt actually a different one, actually made in 1950? Mine stars Schoeffler, Treptow, Gueden, Edelmann, Donch, Dermota, with the Vienna State Opera Chorus and the VPO.

The "Naxos incarnation" is this one:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Die-Meistersinger-Nurnberg-Knappertsbusch-Vienna/dp/B000F6YWQC/

... which is the same cast as the one you mention. The reverse of the cover image states "recorded in Vienna in 1950-51" and seems to suggest that Act Two was originally issued first.

[Beef Oven!]

Kubelik, 1967.

Thanks very much, VNick

Seems RK is tops in Parsifal and Meistersingers. Wonder what others he's done.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Thanks very much, VNick

Seems RK is tops in Parsifal and Meistersingers. Wonder what others he's done.

AFAIK, only Lohengrin - but what a Lohengrin!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wagner-Lohengrin-Richard/dp/B0000012Y1/