BaL 5.10.19 - Strauss: Ein Heldenleben

[BBMmk2]

I can’t remember the last time I listened to a CD of it but Karajan / BPO probably top with Jansons a close second . To be honest I’m more of a Wagner fiend but Die Meistersinger (all time favourite work ) sounded as if I was bragging. I’m more a Strauss opera fan really but Der Rosenkavelier , Ariadne and Die Frau didn’t really work .
TBH I took my lead from Ein Alpie ….now that’s a nom de plume. Also long thought I’ve been guilty of a grammatical error by not being Ein Heldenleben but people on the forum are too polite to point it out !

I still think the opening bars of EH amongst the most exciting in the entire orchestral repertoire . I have a bit of a thing about E flat - Das Rheingold, The Eroica, The Emperor. Clearly I’m a megalomaniac.

Does have that je ne c’est pas, Eb major.

[cloughie]

I can’t remember the last time I listened to a CD of it but Karajan / BPO probably top with Jansons a close second . To be honest I’m more of a Wagner fiend but Die Meistersinger (all time favourite work ) sounded as if I was bragging. I’m more a Strauss opera fan really but Der Rosenkavelier , Ariadne and Die Frau didn’t really work .
TBH I took my lead from Ein Alpie ….now that’s a nom de plume. Also long thought I’ve been guilty of a grammatical error by not being Ein Heldenleben but people on the forum are too polite to point it out !

I still think the opening bars of EH amongst the most exciting in the entire orchestral repertoire . I have a bit of a thing about E flat - Das Rheingold, The Eroica, The Emperor. Clearly I’m a megalomaniac.

Thanks for that explanation. I started with the Ludwig recording on WRC but it took me a while to get into the work, it was not the most exciting recording but the Reiner on Victrola brought it to life for me and that was it then what I think is still my favourite The Decca LAPO Mehta. CDs were a liberating factor with ‘Held’ to play without a break bouncing straight into the Battle scene!
The other great recording is Barbirolli - which was aptly one of his last recordings and therefore very apt as a chronicle of his life!
I don’t know if subconsciously I share your Eb but two recordings I still thrill to are Klemperer’s Eroica and Solti’s Entry of the Gods!

[Ein Heldenleben]

Thanks for that explanation. I started with the Ludwig recording on WRC but it took me a while to get into the work, it was not the most exciting recording but the Reiner on Victrola brought it to life for me and that was it then what I think is still my favourite The Decca LAPO Mehta. CDs were a liberating factor with ‘Held’ to play without a break bouncing straight into the Battle scene!
The other great recording is Barbirolli - which was aptly one of his last recordings and therefore very apt as a chronicle of his life!
I don’t know if subconsciously I share your Eb but two recordings I still thrill to are Klemperer’s Eroica and Solti’s Entry of the Gods!

Didn’t know about the Reiner - must get onto that. That would be with the CSO ?
The Barbirolli is another favourite of course .
I suppose it was Beethoven who “created” the idea of E flat as a heroic key - the Eroica , the Eroica variations, the Emperor (though not his nickname and only ambiguously heroic) . And I guess Strauss , keen to align himself with the central German tradition , latched onto that.
For me it’s the lowest note I can sing (early morning that is ) and also quite a nice key to play in on the piano …

[mikealdren]

The Reiner CSO is one of the great recordings and sounds amazing for a 1954 recording. I think it was RCA's first stereo release, if only, for instance, Toscanini had been offered such recording quality. I've lived with it since about 1970 and it's still my favourite performance and it's coupled with the famous Zarathustra recording.

[cloughie]

Didn’t know about the Reiner - must get onto that. That would be with the CSO ?
The Barbirolli is another favourite of course .
I suppose it was Beethoven who “created” the idea of E flat as a heroic key - the Eroica , the Eroica variations, the Emperor (though not his nickname and only ambiguously heroic) . And I guess Strauss , keen to align himself with the central German tradition , latched onto that.
For me it’s the lowest note I can sing (early morning that is ) and also quite a nice key to play in on the piano …

As a baritenor I can just about croak it but it is a nice key as is it’s minor partner Cmin!

[Ein Heldenleben]

As a baritenor I can just about croak it but it is a nice key as is it’s minor partner Cmin!

Which interestingly is another significant key for Beethoven …

[Cockney Sparrow]

As a baritenor I can just about croak it but it is a nice key as is it’s minor partner Cmin!

Have you noted the recent Erato release - recital disc Michael Spyres "Baritenor" ? We're becoming a thing!

(I also have the Teldec disc "No Tenors Allowed" Samuel Ramey and Thomas Hampson (not that I don't like listening to tenors, but sometimes us baritones need our "safe space").

p.s. I have the Chicago Reiner set as a FLAC download (IIRC it was a no brainer bargain at Qobuz). I'll give it a listen.......

[Lordgeous]

I too discovered the Reiner (at music college). Agree with everything above. Its stunning in all respects.

[cloughie]

i too discovered the reiner (at music college). Agree with everything above. Its stunning in all respects.

vics1042

[BBMmk2]

I do rather like Jansons’s recording.

[gradus]

Any recording that doesn't smudge the horn writing at the end of the Battle scene just before the return of the opening theme will do it for me. Beecham is terrific here and imv everywhere else.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

L
TBH I took my lead from Ein Alpie ….now that’s a nom de plume. Also long thought I’ve been guilty of a grammatical error by not being Ein Heldenleben but people on the forum are too polite to point it out !

I’m flattered! We could amend your name if you wish.

[Ein Heldenleben]

I’m flattered! We could amend your name if you wish.

Oh go on then . Thanks v much. Never did German at school . But unlike two A level German students there I did manage to name a work by Goethe when they were asked to name one by the German language Assistant …
I also got ticked off by a German teacher for saying Die Zauberflöte without sounding the t at the beginning…bit rich as I wasn’t even studying it! So I’m a serial offender German language wise…
.
On the Strauss front can’t think why Don Juan has never been used as a forum name ….

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Oh go on then …
.
On the Strauss front can’t think why Don Juan has never been used as a forum name ….

[cloughie]

Oh go on then . Thanks v much. Never did German at school . But unlike two A level German students there I did manage to name a work by Goethe when they were asked to name one by the German language Assistant …
I also got ticked off by a German teacher for saying Die Zauberflöte without sounding the t at the beginning…bit rich as I wasn’t even studying it! So I’m a serial offender German language wise…
.
On the Strauss front can’t think why Don Juan has never been used as a forum name ….

Nor Till Eulenspiegel but I can see why ‘Tod und verklarung’ has never been grabbed!