BaL 5.10.19 - Strauss: Ein Heldenleben

**DracoM** · 29-09-19, 09:06

.....or maybe not!!!

**mikealdren** · 29-09-19, 11:24

Limiting the choice to about 10 will leave lots of classic accounts on the shelf!

**Bryn** · 29-09-19, 11:30

Originally posted by mikealdren View Post

Limiting the choice to about 10 will leave lots of classic accounts on the shelf!

Best place for 'em.

**Eine Alpensinfonie** · 29-09-19, 11:55

Redundant.

**Pulcinella** · 29-09-19, 12:29

Originally posted by Eine Alpensinfonie View Post

Redundant.

You, or the copies on the shelf?

I'm sure that we're all agog, in anticipation of the results of yet another gargantuan task of compiling a list of available recordings for us to comment on.

Only one on the shelf here, in the Staatskapelle Dresden/Kempe box set of orchestral works.
Not even a BBC MM version to keep it company.

**edashtav** · 29-09-19, 12:54

Originally posted by Pulcinella View Post

You, or the copies on the shelf?

I'm sure that we're all agog, in anticipation of the results of yet another gargantuan task of compiling a list of available recordings for us to comment on.

Only one on the shelf here, in the Staatskapelle Dresden/Kempe box set of orchestral works.
Not even a BBC MM version to keep it company.

My sole version: an LP of Tommy Beecham's 'classic' final recording with his RPO lies in abasement in our basement. I have an old miniature score at the ready, in case RR reignites my dormant interest in Richard Strauss.

**cloughie** · 29-09-19, 13:19

Originally posted by Eine Alpensinfonie View Post

Redundant.

Wot, no list. Including off radio recordings I can own up to 53 recordings of this wonderful work. Yes Pulc there is no BBCMM and surprisingly there is no Don Juan either.

**Ein Heldenleben** · 29-09-19, 13:35

Is it permissible to listen to this at the same time as watching the England / Argentina match?

**Petrushka** · 29-09-19, 14:00

This is one of my very favourite pieces and I have a lot of versions on my shelves starting with the 1938 Concertgebouw/Mengelberg (to whom Heldenleben was dedicated) and which comes up very well in the Dutton transfer. Also among older accounts that will doubtless not even be considered are Krauss, Beecham, Barbirolli, Reiner as well as the composer himself.

There are, I think, three live recordings from Karajan plus another three studio accounts, all fine, but I suppose HvK will be airily dismissed yet again despite his 1959 DG recording, in particular, being a real stunner. The 1985 studio DG recording is in fine digital sound and is, in some ways, an even better performance than the earlier.

Kempe with the Dresden Staatskapelle is in a class of its own, though the original issues on LP and CD were in rather murky sound. However, the latest transfer on Warner is a different matter entirely and it's come up splendidly, as if a fog has been cleared away. There is also a live Kempe with the same orchestra on Profil but, good as it is, it can't hold a candle to the studio recording.

Haitink's three recordings are all worth hearing, especially the last one, with the Chicago SO captured in state of the art sound.

I also have a couple of Böhm recordings, one live and one studio, both with the VPO but the better one is a 1973 radio recording with the BRSO on Orfeo. Really like this one.

I've got Thielemann/VPO, Solti/VPO, Concertgebouw/Jansons (but not his BRSO remake) as well as accounts from Sawallisch and Luisi which include the original ending. Both of the last two named only go to show that Strauss was right to do the amendment. Both are thus ruled out of court for this reason. Got BPO/Rattle as well but going into HvK territory so early in his Berlin tenure was perhaps not a good move.

My own first choice? I'm torn between Karajan (1959 or 1985) and Kempe on Warner. Impossible to choose so get all three would be my advice.

**EnemyoftheStoat** · 29-09-19, 14:03

Originally posted by Heldenleben View Post

Is it permissible to listen to this at the same time as watching the England / Argentina match?

It’s TS, so I’d listen to this with the sound turned down.

**Eine Alpensinfonie** · 29-09-19, 14:19

Originally posted by cloughie

Wot, no list. Including off radio recordings I can own up to 53 recordings of this wonderful work. Yes Pulc there is no BBCMM and surprisingly there is no Don Juan either.

Originally posted by Pulcinella View Post

You, or the copies on the shelf?

I'm sure that we're all agog, in anticipation of the results of yet another gargantuan task of compiling a list of available recordings for us to comment on.

I did compile a list, but it's now going to remain in cold storage for ever.

**jayne lee wilson** · 29-09-19, 15:17

Almost a history of recorded music. I began with CSO/Reiner, one of the very first stereo recordings, came through RACO/Haitink, through various HvKs (less favoured subjectively, despite Japanese transfers)... then the sui generis Kempe, and on to the BPO/Rattle...
Mengelberg a case apart too.
On past form (Bruckner 3, Mozart 38, Brahms D Minor Concerto....) TS should do a good job here...

Torn about the work itself though....
Great start, very moving final sections and ending, but in between...? I was never convinced by the love scene, or those critics....all a bit too self-promotingly Hollywood-Stereotypical to me....

I so want to love it, but.....

**ardcarp** · 29-09-19, 16:11

I did compile a list, but it's now going to remain in cold storage for ever.

No please Alpie do post up your list. Life won't be the same without it, and I'm truly sorry I anticipated your much valued 'thread starter'.

**Barbirollians** · 29-09-19, 16:45

Kempe , Beecham , Barbirolli( studio and live) and Previn here .

Barbirolli wins at the Proms despite the thrills and spills.

Isn't there a DVD of Kempe somewhere ?

BaL 5.10.19 - Strauss: Ein Heldenleben

BaL 5.10.19 - Strauss: Ein Heldenleben

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