Rusalka-Complete Opera

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For a long time, Dvorák's Rusalka was available only in Vaclav Neumann's 1983 recording. Then Supraphon brought back this 1961 version led by Zdenek Chalabala, and in 1998 we got a new recording by Charles Mackerras. It's not easy to choose among the three. The all-Czech casts for Neumann and Chalabala are more comfortable with the idiom than are Arleen Auger and Ben Heppner for Mackerras, though both sing well. The Czech Philharmonic (Neumann and Mackerras) is a more skillful group than the Prague National Theater Orchestra (Chalabala), especially the all-important horns. For sound, Mackerras is excellent, Neumann is good enough, but Chalabala shows its age. The main difference is in the conducting, and Neumann provides more of a sense of mystery and more pointed pacing than the others; Mackerras is a little matter-of-fact, less idiomatic in his treatment of the folk elements of the score, and Chalabala is somewhat bland. So go first for Neumann, with Mackerras a close second. But while Chalabala trails them musically and sonically, it's the least expensive of the three and good enough to be worth your precious dollars. --Alex Morin

Rusalka-Complete Opera,a. Dvorak,Supraphon

Dvorák: The Complete Published Orchestral Works

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20 Hours of Dvorak at a Bargain Price

Dvorák: The Complete Published Orchestral Works

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Dances | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Polkas | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Polonaises | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

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Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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Wagner: Tristan und Isolde [Includes Bonus DVD]

ASIN: B0001FYRB2
Release Date: 2004-07-20

Tracks:

Allegro
Adagio Molto
Allegretto
Finale: Allegreto
Allegretto
Molto Moderato
Allegro Giusto
Molto Maestoso
Allegro Giusto

Tracks:

Allegretto
Poco Adagio
Scherzo: Allegro Con Brio
Finale: Allegreto Con Fuoco
Allegro Con Moto
Allegretto Grazioso
Un Poco Allegretto E Grazioso
Andante Con Moto
Andante

Tracks:

Allegro Moderato
Adagio Molto, Temp Di Marcia
Allegro Vivace
Allegro Non Tanto
Adagio
Scherzo: Furiant: Presto
Finale: Allegro Con Spirito

Tracks:

Allegro
Andante Sostenuto E Molto Cantabile
Scherzo: Allegro Feroce
Finale: Allegro Con Brio
Allegro Con Brio
Adagio
Allegretto Grazioso - Molto Vivace
Allegro, Ma Non Troppo

Tracks:

Allegro, Ma Non Troppo
Andante, Con Moto
Andante Con Moto, Quasi L'istesso Tempo - Allegro Scherzando
Finale: Allegro Molto
Allegro Maestoso
Poco Adagio
Scherzo Vivace - Poco Meno Mosso
Finale: Allegro

Tracks:

Adagio- Allegro Molto
Largo
olto Vivace
Allegro Con Fuoco
Sumphonic Variations, Op. 78

Tracks:

Allegro Agitato - Jeno Jando
Andante Sostenuto
Allegro Con Fuoco
The Water Goblin, Symphonic Poem, Op. 107

Tracks:

Allegro Ma Non Troppo - Ilya Kaler
Adagio Ma Non Troppo - Ilya Kaler
Allegro Giocoso, Ma Non Troppo - Ilya Kaler
Romance For Violin And Orchestra In F Minor, Op. 11 - Ilya Kaler
Mazurka For Violin And Orchestra, Op. 49 - Alexander Trostianski

Tracks:

Allegro - Maria Kliegel
Adagio Ma Non Troppo - Maria Kliegel
Finale: Allegro Moderato - Andante - Allegro Vivo - Maria Kliegel
Walderuhe For Cello And Orchestra, Op. 68/5 - Dmitry Yablonsky
Rondo For Cello And Orchestra, Op. 94 - Dmitry Yablonsky

Tracks:

No. 1 In C Major
No. 2 In E Minor
No. 3 In A Flat Major
No. 4 In F Major
No. 5 In A Major
No. 6 In D Major
No. 7 In C Minor
No. 8 In G Minor
No. 1 In B Major
No. 2 In E Minor
No. 3 In F Major
No. 4 In D Flat Major
No. 5 In B Flat Minor
No. 6 In B Flat Major
No. 7 In C Major
No. 8 In A Flat Major

Tracks:

Rhapsody, Op. 14
No. 1
No. 2
No. 3

Tracks:

The Noon Witch, Op. 108
The Golden Spinning-Wheel, Op. 109
The Wild Dove, Op. 110

Tracks:

Moderato
Tempo Di Valse
Scherzo: Vivace
Larghetto
ale: Allegro Vivace
Moderato, Quasi Marcia - Oslo Philharmonic Wind Soloists
Minuetto - Oslo Philharmonic Wind Soloists
Andante Con Moto - Oslo Philharmonic Wind Soloists
Allegro Molto - Oslo Philharmonic Wind Soloists
Notturno In B Major, Op. 40
Five Prague Waltzes
Polka In B Flat Major, Op. 53 A / 1

Tracks:

I
II
III
IV
V
VI
VII
Preludium (Pastorale)
Polka
Sousedska (Minuetto)
Romance (Romanza)
Fineal (Furiant)
Andante Con Moto
Adagio
onderato (Alla Polacca)
Andante
Allegro
Polonaise In E Flat Major
Festival March, Op. 54

Tracks:

King And Charcoal Burner, Overture
Prelude To Act 1
Prelude To Act 2
Ballet Music From Act 3
Overture
Prelude To Act 2
Infernal Dance From Act 2
Prelude To Act 3
Overture
Polonaise
Dmitrij, Overture
Armida, Overture

Tracks:

Vanda (Overture), Op. 25
In Nature's Realm (Overture), Op. 91
Carnival (Overture), Op. 92
Othello (Overture), Op. 93
My Home (Overture), Op. 62

Tracks:

Hussite Overture, Op. 67
Selma Seklak Overture, Op. 37
Dramatic Overture, Op. Posth
Scherzo Capriccioso, Op. 66
A Hero's Son, Op. 111

Customer Reviews:

20 Hours of Dvorak at a Bargain Price.......2004-08-03

This 17-CD set collects together in one box all the published orchestral works of Antonin Dvorak. It's neatly done: each CD is in a paper envelope and there is a 51-page booklet (with knowledgable and helpful notes for each disc) all fitted into a cardboard box no thicker than that ordinarily used for a two-CD opera recording. All this music has been issued previously on separate discs or sets by Naxos and most of it is, if I'm not mistaken, still available that way. But this collection is one easy way to scoop up all of Dvorak's orchestral music at once. There is much music here that is almost never heard, certainly not in the concert hall and even on CD. For instance, I cannot recall ever seeing a recording (and I know I've never heard in performance) Dvorak's 'Intermezzi.' And the rarely-heard 'Legends' are nicely done here by Stephen Gunzenhauser and the Czecho-Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra. Of course, the name of the orchestra tells you something: some of these performances were recorded before the breakup of Czechoslovakia into Slovakia and the Czech Republic. Yes, some of the recordings go back to the late 1980s. No matter - the sound is quite acceptable throughout.

There are numerous participants in these recordings, many of them orchestras in the Czecho-Slovak area, as well as the Polish National Radio Orchestra, the Russian Philharmonic and even London's Royal Philharmonic (in a smashing performance, with Maria Kliegel, sure one of our best current cellists, in the Cello Concerto). Conductors include Gunzenhauser, Antoni Wit, Camilla Kolchinsky, Dmitry Yablonsky, Michael Halasz, Zdenek Kosler, Libor Pesek, and Robert Stankovksy.

Obviously one wouldn't buy this set for the most familiar Dvorak pieces - the 'New World' Symphony, the Cello Concerto, the Slavonic Dances - if that was all one was interested in. There are too many fine performances of those already on the market. But how many of you have recordings of poorly known but top-drawer works like the 'Czech Suite,' the 'American Suite,' (it is fashionable to dismiss this suite, but it's actually one of Dvorak's best), or some of the orchestral music from his many operas--overtures to 'King and Charcoal Burner,' 'The Jacobin,' 'Kate and the Devil,' 'Rusalka'? All of these, and more, are here. I recently returned from a trip and the only music I took along was this box of Dvorak. I never got sated, or bored, by it.

I was also quite taken by the performance of one of my favorite pieces by Dvorak, his 'Wind Serenade,' here played by the Oslo Philharmonic Wind Soloists. And there are marvelous performances by Gunzenhauser and the Polish NRSO of 'The Noon Witch,' 'The Golden Spinning Wheel,' and (a particular favorite of mine) 'The Wild Dove.'

And then there's the super-bargain Naxos price. This is an easy recommendation for the music lover in the market for this specific collection of music.

Scott Morrison

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The soprano with the "scimitar glint" in her voice
Glorious tribute to sadly neglected singer
One of the great sopranos
One of the great sopranos
A Passionate and Elegant Soprano

The Art of Pilar Lorengar

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Prima Donna in Vienna
Pasión!
The Most Famous Opera Arias

ASIN: B00007EBGI
Release Date: 2003-03-11

Customer Reviews:

The soprano with the "scimitar glint" in her voice.......2003-11-22

Pilar Lorengar may not be as famous as her Spanish Counterparts, Victoria De Los Angeles and Montserrat Caballe. But, opera afficionados still treasure her. The reasons why are elaborately laid out on this two-disc recital. The first disc is dominated in the first half by Puccini arias. Since these are famous arias, it would be easy to sing them in a conventially pretty manner. Instead, Lorengar offers wonderful interpretations of such arias as Un Bel Di and a personal favorite, Senza Mamma. She may not be able to belt it out like some of her peers, but she invokes a true sense of artistry. The same can be said for her Mozart- just listen to the aching way she sings the first line of Dove Sono- "E Susanna non vien..." Another standout is Come Scoglio, which she sings with great flair and drama. My only gripe, which is why I gave this recital 4 stars instead of 5 is that, alas, there is nothing from one of her greatest roles, Donna Elvira. It is very baffling why the linear essay makes mention of how successful her Met debut as Donna Elvira was, but nary an aria made the cut for the first disc. However, if you want to hear her interpretation of this great role, buy the highlight disc of Don Giovanni, which is readily available, for budget-price. The disc also features Sutherland and Horne.

Two other favorites from this disc are the moon aria from Rusalka, as well as the duet from Arabella, which is heartbreakingly beautiful. Thankfully, she is paired up with Arleen Auger, an accomplished artist in her own right.

The second disc of Zarzuela is wonderful as well. Especially wonderful are the Tonadillas. Just Lorengar's lovely voice, and Alicia Dellarocha's piano. Very relaxing to listen to...

Sadly, Lorengar is no longer with us, but her artistry is her, for us to treasure.

Glorious tribute to sadly neglected singer.......2003-07-08

Although known among opera aficianados, Pilar Lorengar never reached the heights of fame and name recognition as her contemporaries Callas and Sutherland. This has lead to an unfortunate dirth of Lorengar on CD, and which makes this compilation most welcome. Although never an operatic superstar, Lorengar had a magnificent instrument: soft, creamy, dramatic when necessary, and always charming. Fortunately she had a long career with Decca and made some magnificent recordings, many of which appear on this delicious two-CD set. I think few can fail be to moved by her near-perfect Mimi, her touching Cio-Cio San (infused with just the right amounts of pathos and fortitude, her ravishing Mozart interpretations, and her silvery reading of Korngold's "Gluck, das mir verlieb". The second CD is entirely made up of her specialty repertoire of songs from her native Spain, and these, while maybe not quite as familiar, are also a delight. Hopefully this compilation will make her better known to casual opera fans who only listen to Callas or Fleming simply because they're better-known names; this has been a much-needed release!
P.S. - For those who would like an inexpensive introduction to Lorengar in a complete operatic role, it has come to my attention that Decca is re-issuing her fantastic "Cosi Fan Tutte" (conducted by Solti) in its "Compact Opera" series very soon. The cast, which also includes Berganza, is perfect and Solti's conducting right on the mark. Keep your eyes open for it!

One of the great sopranos.......2003-06-16

Pilar Lorengar is the best Spanish soprano of the last fifty years. Her silvery voice, beautiful vibrato, and clear phrasing are something to behold. Her Rossini's Stabat Mater (with Pavarotti, Minton, Sotin, Kertész cond) is the best version of this work. Her Traviata (Maazel cond.), Don Giovanni (Bonynge cond.), and Gounod's St.Cecilia Mass (Hartemann cond.) are superb. But I believe the best Lorengar is in her early zarzuela recordings, where her voice had, apart from all its other qualities, a young, sweet, candid tone that touched the listener, and her vibrato evoked a fountain of fresh, clear water. I hope some recording company produces a CD set with her zarzuela arias, and pieces with other soloists. Meanwhile, the present Decca two-disc release is very welcome.

One of the great sopranos.......2003-06-16

A Passionate and Elegant Soprano.......2003-04-29

At last, Decca has made amends for ignoring this magnificent artist by releasing a 2-disc set of some of her best recordings of the 60s and 70s. Actually I dont think Lorengar ever made a bad or even an uninteresting recording. She was a superb lyric who was the equal of Freni, and far more versatile. A star at the San Francisco and Berlin Staatsoper, Lorengar enjoyed a long and successful career. Her appearances at the Metropolitan Opera were events. I saw her as Desdemona, Elsa, and Fiordiligi, and she was wonderful (how sad that I missed hearing her there in the 60s).

There was some controversy about her singing. Terry McEwen, her great supporter at London records in the United States, loved what her called her "shimmering" top, that reminded him of the great German lyrics, Schwartzkopf, Reining, Lemnitz, Muller, Janowitz,etc. Some found that gorgeously blooming top to contain a beat, or a slight wobble. Nothing could be further from the truth. That top, coupled with her superb diction, and excellent vocal technique and outstanding breathing, made her one of the most distinctive voices of her generation. The top was pure sunshine with a throb. Nobody sounded remotely like her. I loved her singing.

I wish Decca had released all her fine recordings for that company in a multi-disc set. Perhaps they were worried that it wouldn't sell. Her first recital of Italian and French arias, the Prima Donna in Vienna album, as well as her Spanish song recital with the incomparable Alica de Larrocha, and her final Decca recital were all superb, and might have fit on three generous CDs. Here we get bits and pieces from all the LPs, plus arias from some her her complete recordings on Decca. So we're missing such treasures as her arias from THE PEARL FISHERS, DON CARLO, and other important items.

I don't care. Lorengar's superb singing of arias from MADAMA BUTTERFLY, LA BOHEME, LA RONDINE, LOUISE, RUSALKA, LOHENGRIN, DIE ZAUBERFLOTE, COSI FAN TUTTE, ARABELLA (with Arlene Auger!) and others (plus a generous selection of that famous Spanish song recital), make the point abundantly clear. No matter what language Lorengar is singing, she touches the heart.

Today's lyrics could learn a lot from listening to these superb selections. Lorengar's beautiful legato singing is married to the text of each item she sings. Here is a lyric with a strong middle to go along with the bottom and top ranges. She and her conductors never dawdle, pulling at the rubato as though it were Turkish Taffey such as Renee Fleming (who has an compellingly beautiful voice which she undermines with deadly slow tempi and and overly complicated phrasing).

Lorengar was intermittently busy in the recording studios throughout her long career. If you can find her recording of THE BARTERED BRIDE (EMI and in German, rather than the original Czech), grab it. She's a superb Pamina and Fiordiligi for Solti (Decca). On Fritz Wunderlich's Gala CD set, she partners him brilliantly in a live recording of the Act one duet from MADAMA BUTTERFLY. I'm a huge fan of her work on the Maazel-led LA TRAVIATA (also on Decca). She was still in superb voice in the mid to late 80s in a live Zarzuela concert with Placido Domingo (Sony). And near the end of her career, she still stunned in the famous LES HUGUENOTS duet at a Richard Tukcr gala with the emerging Richard Leech. Sadly, she died in her late 50s, a victim of cancer.