Wagner: Overtures & Preludes

1. Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, opera, WWV 96 Prelude, Act 1
   Composed by Richard Wagner
   Performed by Minnesota Orchestra
   Conducted by Neville Marriner
   
   
2. Die Götterdämmerung (Twilight of the Gods), opera, WWV 86d Siegfried's Rhine Journey
   Composed by Richard Wagner
   Performed by Minnesota Orchestra
   Conducted by Neville Marriner
   
   
3. Rienzi, der Letzte der Tribunen, opera, WWV 49 Overture
   Composed by Richard Wagner
   Performed by Minnesota Orchestra
   Conducted by Neville Marriner
   
   
4. Der fliegende Holländer (The Flying Dutchman), opera, WWV 63 Overture
   Composed by Richard Wagner
   Performed by Minnesota Orchestra
   Conducted by Neville Marriner
   
   

Wagner: Overtures & Preludes,Richard Wagner,Neville Marriner,Minnesota Orchestra,Telarc,Classical,Classical Music,German/Austrian Romantic Opera,Opera,Opera / Operetta / Oratorio

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Average customer rating: A well-kept secret Essential Wagner Excellent Wagner from a surprising source ... or maybe not! Go For Boult Memorable and dramatic- A must have for Wagner fans

Wagner: Overtures & Preludes Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Wagner | Wagner, Richard | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music London Philharmonic Orchestra | ( L ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Wagner: Tristan und Isolde/Parsifal/Die Meistersinger Von Nürnberg/Lohengrin/Tannhäuser The Best Of Wagner Wagner: The "Ring" Without Words Twilight of the Gods: The Essential Wagner Collection Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition ASIN: B000002S08 Release Date: 1992-09-29

Tracks:

1. Tannher: Overture
2. Tannher: Grand March
3. Der Fliegende Holler: Overture
4. Tristan und Isolde: Prelude to Act 1
5. Tristan und Isolde: Prelude to Act 3
6. Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg: Overture
7. Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg: Prelude to Act 3
8. Lohengrin: Prelude to Act 1

Tracks:

1. Lohengrin: Prelude to Act 3
2. Parsifal: Prelude to Act 1
3. Parsifal: Act 1 Transformation scene
4. Parsifal: Prelude to Act 3
5. Parsifal: Good Friday Music
6. Das Rheingold: Entrance of the Gods
7. Die Walkure: Ride of the Walkyries
8. Siegfried: Forest murmurs
9. Gotterdammerung: Siegfried's Rhine Journey
10. Gotterdammerung: Siegfried's Funeral March

Customer Reviews:

A well-kept secret.......2007-05-18

Everyone wants to have a crack at the "bleeding chunks" eventually, and while I love the flashier Stoky and Furtwangler approach, I wouldn't want to be without the Boult. He's a great Wagnerian, strange as it may seem. Who could blame him for not wanting to go down in history merely as the finest Holstian? As long as this stays in print, Ormandy will still be considered the least sexy conductor. (I heard CBS researchers found an Ormandy fan once!)

Essential Wagner.......2006-06-17

As a child, this set was my first experience of Wagner's music, and it made quite an impression on me. However, as I grew older and began to collect the full operas I felt I could surely do better than Adrian Boult and the British for a collection of the preludes, overtures, and orchestral music from the operas. I was wrong. I have yet to here any recordings that can match the power and intensity as demonstrated in these discs from Boult and the LSO (and LPO). The Meistersinger prelude alone is worth the price, and the only version of the prelude to Tristan which outdoes the one here is Bohm's live 1966 Tristan. The Solti, Karajan, and Klemperer highlight discs have their moments (and truthfully, I do prefer Solti and Karajan for the "Ring" highlights), but their contributions are greatest in the full operas, and overall, they simply can't muster the power and intensity that Boult brings to these preludes, overtures, etc.

Even if you have other compilations of Wagner's music in "bleeding chunks", I can assure you they don't come close to this one; and with two discs (the second containing mostly music from Parsifal and the "Ring") at 14 bucks, there is absolutely no excuse not to have this essential recording. So go ahead and buy this disc, never buy another Wagner compilation again, and with the money you save get started on the more important task at hand: the full operas.

Excellent Wagner from a surprising source ... or maybe not!.......2004-09-27

Does Sir Adrian Boult conjure up of images of Gustav Holst and Ralph Vaughn Williams, but not Wagner? You're not alone! Nevertheless, this is a double CD set not to be missed! Many years ago, I was listening to a classical radio music station in NYC that was playing the music of Wagner. The performance was so good, that I wouldn't leave the radio until I found out the name of the conductor. When the announcer said the conductor was Sir Adrian Boult, I was quite surprised. I had recordings of English music from Sir Adrian on Angel/EMI, but I never associated that conductor with Wagner. Having been blessed with a friend who had knowledge of classical music way beyond his years, I gave him a call to find out more about the recording. He told me that, Boult had solid expertise in the area of Germanic music, but, in England, had been overshadowed in that repertoire by Otto Klemperer. He told me not to be surprised about Boult's very fine Wagner, it was an excellent recording to purchase and, indeed, search out Sir Adrian's wonderful performance of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony (now available on Vanguard). Fast-forward many years and I find myself browsing through Amazon for a recording of Wagner's Overtures and Preludes. Like everyone else I know, I foolishly jettisoned my LPs in the 1990s and have been "back-filling" ever since. Well, I was able to obtain this splendid set for less than $7 per CD! There are a total of 18 selections covering most of Wagner's operas including five excerpts from the Ring Cycle. The performances are excellent coming from no less than three British orchestras, and the sound is top-shelf EMI. Sir Adrian's pacing is measured and his vision is broad and sensitive, highlighting the beauty and grandeur --rather than just the fire-- of this glorious music. I heartily recommend this two-CD set, and at this price, I think it's a steal.

Go For Boult.......2003-07-08

Sir Adrian Boult is best known for his recordings of the British repertoire, and his performances, particularly of Holst's "The Planets" and Elgar's Symphonies and Orchestral Works, are legendary. But Boult was also an excellent conductor of Beethoven, Brahms and Wagner, and this 2-CD set collects the Overtures and Preludes of the latter German titan. These stereo recordings from the early to mid-1970s with the New Philharmonia Orchestra, and London Philharmonic and Symphony Orchestras are truly first rate. EMI's set compares nicely in terms of price, quality and musical offerings with competing sets by DG (Bohm, Kubelik, et al) and Sony (Ormandy & Szell). You might have reservations about getting German music conducted by a Brit, but you really can't go wrong with Boult.

Memorable and dramatic- A must have for Wagner fans.......2000-03-20

I bought this cd for the following reasons: 1 I'm a Wagner fan, 2 the cover looks exquisite and 3 I wanted to hear a "prelude" since it sounds fancy and never heard one. The result is great cd. The Tannhauser overture, Tristan and Isolde prelude and Lohengrin Prelude to act 3 are all very excellent. Excerpts from the Ring of the Nibelunge aren't as good as I had anticipated but are still enjoyable. The music speaks the tales of Wagner's operas. Just hear it, as slow and irksome as they maybe, these preludes make you feel the tragic love of Tristan and Isolde, the epic odyssey of Lohengrin and the holy, heavenly spirit in Parsifal as he discovers the Holy Grail. Buy this CD and you won't regret it. Except that one bit from Gotterdammerung, Siegfried's Funeral March. It does'nt quite have the feel of grand disaster as it did in John Boorman's film Excalibur. If you're hoping to find that version(which is better) stick with the Classics Go To The Movies Vol 2 cd. But all the other pieces on this CD are excellent. Go and buy this CD- now !

Average customer rating: Fantastic Famous Overtures Spectacular Excellent The best Overture Album !

Famous Overtures Manufacturer: Decca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Beethoven | Beethoven, Ludwig van | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Berlioz | Berlioz, Hector | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Borodin | Borodin, Alexander | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Brahms | Brahms, Johannes | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Glinka | Glinka, Mikhail | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Humperdinck, Engelbert | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mussorgsky | Mussorgsky, Modest | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wagner | Wagner, Richard | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Weber | Weber, Carl Maria von | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rossini | Rossini, Gioacchino | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Incidental Music | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Overtures | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music London Philharmonic Orchestra | ( L ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra | ( V ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music More Titles at Least 20% Off | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Beethoven, Ludwig van | ( B ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Berlioz, Hector | ( B ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Borodin, Alexander | ( B ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Brahms, Johannes | ( B ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Glinka, Mikhail | ( G ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Humperdinck, Engelbert | ( H ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Mussorgsky, Modest | ( M ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Rossini, Gioacchino | ( R ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Wagner, Richard | ( W ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Weber, Carl Maria von | ( W ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music London Philharmonic Orchestra | ( L ) | Performers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra | ( V ) | Performers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Similar Items: William Tell & Other Favorite Overtures Rossini: Overtures (14) Opera Overtures & Incidental Music Favorite Overtures Suppe: Overtures ASIN: B00002MXN4 Release Date: 1999-11-09

Tracks:

1. Light Cavalry - Suppe
2. Ruslan and Lyudmila - Glinka
3. La Traviata - Prelude, Act I - Verdi
4. Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg - Prelude, ACt I - Wagner
5. Les Francs-Juges - Berlioz
6. Le nozze di Figaro - Mozart
7. Egmont - Beethoven
8. Oberon - Weber
9. Academic Festival Overture - Brahms
10. Pique Dame - Suppe

Tracks:

1. Morning, Noon and Night in Vienna - Suppe
2. Il barbiere di Siviglia - Rossini
3. Prince Igor - Borodin
4. Carmen - Prelude, Act I - Bizet
5. Der fliegende Hollander - Wagner
6. Leonore No 3 - Beethoven
7. Hansel und Gretel - Humperdinck
8. Khovanshchina - Mussorgsky
9. Poet and Peasant - Suppe

Customer Reviews:

Fantastic.......2006-06-30

First of all anything with Sir Solti's name on is worth purchasing. Solti has such a way with interpreting music! If you like overtures this CD is for you. It has the best overtures here in one collection. With orchestras like chicago, london, and the vienna you cannot argue with the performances. There are a few "weaker" ensembles, but when compared with the other ensembles there are few that will not sound weak. Again any work Solti has done is worth purchasing!

Famous Overtures.......2005-08-16

Did not like the way these musical pieces were "interpretted".
Did not like the tempo and in one piece one of the instruments played a portion which I would say they played a flat instead of a natural note. This is based on hearing the same pieces played by someone else, it's just my opinion.

Spectacular.......2003-09-25

Not only does it include some of the most famous overtures, but they are played in such an exciting style, full of life and passion. The Suppe overtures are superior and the Wagner overtures are wonderful as well. There is not a bad point to this recording - highly recommended!

Excellent.......2002-06-11

This is an excellent collection of overtures, especially of Von Suppe's overtures. Solti truly brings out life in these pieces.

The best Overture Album !.......2000-02-28

If you like overtures, here is the album. Never have these been performed so musically and with such excitement. The orchestras involved vary in their abilities, yet the Chicago, Vienna, and London Symphony perfom with style. Solti loves this music and it shows.

Average customer rating: Orchestral Trumpet Player's Bible: Essential Recording for Any Trumpet Player Most Excellent Awesome! Excellent for aspiring trumpet players, otherwise...

Orchestral Excerpts For Trumpet Manufacturer: Summit(Classical) ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by J.S. Bach | Bach, Johann Sebastian | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Bartók, Béla | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Beethoven | Beethoven, Ludwig van | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gershwin | Gershwin, George | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mahler | Mahler, Gustav | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mussorgsky | Mussorgsky, Modest | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Ravel, Maurice | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Respighi | Respighi, Ottorino | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Robert Schumann | Schumann, Robert | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Strauss | Strauss, Richard | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Stravinsky | Stravinsky, Igor | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Shostakovich | Shostakovich, Dmitri | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wagner | Wagner, Richard | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Debussy | Debussy, Claude | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Concerto Grossi | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Romantic | Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Overtures | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Tone Poems | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Ballets & Dances | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Contemporary | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Trumpet | Brass | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Piano | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Magnificats | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Philip Smith, Prinicpal Trumpet of the New York Philharmonic David Hickman, Trumpet Famous Classical Trumpet Concertos On the Twentieth Century Virtuoso Trumpet ASIN: B0000038JG Release Date: 1995-02-07

Tracks:

1. Trumpet concerto: Brandenburg Concerto No.2 - Trumpet Concerto
2. Petrouchka
3. Pictures at an Exhibition
4. Leonore Nos. 3&2
5. Ein Heldenleben
6. Symphony No.5
7. Scheherazade
8. Don Juan
9. Fetes
10. Piano Concerto In G
11. Piano Cto. No. 1
12. Pines Of Rome
13. Concerto For Orchestra
14. Carmen Prelude
15. Firebird Suite
16. Parsifal Prelude
17. La Mer
18. Symphony No. 2
19. Symphony No. 3 (Post Horn)
20. Capriccio Espagnol
21. American In Paris
22. Magnificat

Customer Reviews:

Orchestral Trumpet Player's Bible:.......2003-05-08

I carry this recording around with me in my case, and listen to it before auditions, concerts, rehearsals, etc. It's simply how the excerpts (along with trumpet playing in general) should sound. Smith's virtuostic playing, coupled with his vast orchestral experience, really teach the parts. All trumpet players, top to bottom, have something to learn from this CD--and while the entire work (with orchestra) and part should be studied (Smith actually recommends this), it is still very useful to hear one of the finest players on earth performing just the trumpet part.

Essential Recording for Any Trumpet Player.......2001-05-24

If any principal orchestral trumpet player has succeeded Adolph Herseth as the "state of the art," the probable consensus among his peers would be Philip Smith of the New York Philharmonic. His virtually flawless technique, gourgeous sound, rarified musicianship and exceptional leadership make him virtually unique in his field, and his more than 20 years with the Philharmonic (plus his early years with the Chicago Symphony) have firmly established him as one of the greats in the history of orchestral brass performance.

Measured simply as a documentation of his skills, this recording would be an extraordinary document - the playing throughout is stupendous. But this is much more than that; Mr. Smith proves to be as articulate (mild "New Yoahk" accent and all) as he is talented, and his performance suggestions are truly helpful, even for those of us without his superhuman abilities. The recorded sound is superb, and overall this is a joy to listen to at every level. I recommend it without reservation for any trumpet player aspiring to a higher level of musicianship and performance - and if you play it at full volume shortly after your warmup, your neighbors will be very impressed.

Most Excellent.......1999-12-13

As a trumpet player, I must say that Phil Smith's comments during each track are immensely beneficial. His thoughts have produced profound understanding in my trumpet playing, and despite the fact that this CD is intended as a grouping of Phil Smith's insights into common Orchestral Excerpts and his following demonstration, I have countless times listened out of pure enjoyment than to gain expert insight. His tone is the most beautiful I have ever heard, and it shows on this CD. I recommend this particularly for any aspiring trumpet student.

Awesome!.......1999-10-25

The previous reviewer of this CD missed the point of the CD. Lets say your working on the Carmern Prelude or Stravinsky Pétrouchka you buy this CD, and learn how Philip Smith (one of the greatest symphonic trumpet players in the world) would interpret and play it. Thats why its entitled Orchestra Trumpet Excerpts.

Excellent for aspiring trumpet players, otherwise..........1999-05-31

This CD would be excellent for aspiring orchestral trumpeters and soloists; although Philip Smith conveys his expertise exceptionally well, this short snips of music on this CD are no substitute for the actual full-orchestra recordings.

Average customer rating:

Overtures, The Greatest Hits Manufacturer: Compendia ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Beethoven | Beethoven, Ludwig van | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Glinka | Glinka, Mikhail | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mendelssohn | Mendelssohn, Felix | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Offenbach | Offenbach, Jacques | ( O ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Smetana | Smetana, Bedrich | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Strauss Jr., Johann | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Tchaikovsky | Tchaikovsky, Peter Ilyich | ( T ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wagner | Wagner, Richard | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rossini | Rossini, Gioacchino | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Incidental Music | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Overtures | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra | ( B ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music London Philharmonic Orchestra | ( L ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music | Cantatas | Romances Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Gospel | Compilations | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music 4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: 25 Thunderous Classics Baroque: The Greatest Hits Famous Overtures Tchaikovsky: The Greatest Hits Stars & Stripes Forever and the Greatest Marches ASIN: B000003QWY Release Date: 1994-04-13

Tracks:

1. Light Cavalry
2. The Barber Of Seville
3. The Bartered Bride
4. The Flying Dutchman
5. Egmont
6. The Marriage Of Figaro
7. Poet And Peasant
8. 1812 Overture

Tracks:

1. Mastersingers Of Nuremburg
2. William Tell
3. The Italian Women In Algiers
4. Russlan And Ludmilla
5. Merry Wives Of Windsor
6. The Hegrides (Fingal's Cave)
7. Die Fledermaus
8. Orpheus In The Underworld

Average customer rating:

WAGNER: The Complete Overtures and Orchestral Music from the Operas Yuri Simonov , Francesco D'Avalos , and London Philharmonia Orchestra Manufacturer: Brilliant Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Wagner | Wagner, Richard | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Romantic | Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Classical | Box Sets | Stores | Music ASIN: B00005MLXT Release Date: 2001-06-12

Average customer rating: Mostly minor, mostly attractive, early Wagner

Wagner: Overtures Manufacturer: Naxos ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Wagner | Wagner, Richard | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Overtures | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music 4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Wagner: Marches & Overtures Wagner: Cantatas & Overtures Wagner: Complete Works for Piano Wagner: Faust Lieder ASIN: B0001Z65J4 Release Date: 2004-06-15

Tracks:

1. Rienzi
2. Konig Enzio (King Enzio)
3. Dos Liebesverbot ( The Ban On Love)
4. Die Feen (The Fairies)
5. Christoph Columbus
6. Faust

Customer Reviews:

Mostly minor, mostly attractive, early Wagner.......2004-08-06

This is an interesting and worthwhile disk of Wagner rarities, offering the _Rienzi_, _König Enzio_, _Das Liebesverbot_, _Die Feen_, _Christolph Columbus_ and _Faust_ overtures.

These are mostly minor pieces, and mostly attractive, as well as being fascinating products of a brash young genius learning his trade. The _Rienzi_ overture is the best-known piece, and perhaps the least "minor". Still, the best piece here is probably the _Faust_ overture. This tautly dramatic piece imitates Beethoven and Weber, as Wagner does in most of his early work, but also establishes an interesting darkness in harmony, and reveals skill in building up tension, which shows Wagner starting to find his own voice. Wagner said that it was with the _Faust_ overture that he first "became Wagner", and he was right. (By the way the cover gives the Faust overture's timing as 12 minutes, 19 seconds. Actually it's 12' 15". It's not that there are four seconds of music missing from the CD; it's just a misprint.)

The best disk of early Wagner overtures I know is from a two-CD set by Marek Janowski. One CD, with the French Radio Phil, offers mainstream Wagner excerpts from _Tannhäuser_, _Tristan_, _Lohengrin_ and _Meistersinger_, plus _Siegfried Idyll_, all very well played. But disk 2, with the London Symphony Orchestra, offers some rarities: the _Kaisermarsch_, the _Faust Overture_, the _Huldigungsmarsch_, the _Die Feen_ overture, the _American Centennial March_ and the _Das Liebesverbot_ overture. Janowski's may be the best account of the _Faust_ overture (also performed by Rahbari on this Naxos disk) that I know of. Janowski also offers better versions of the _Die Feen_ and _Das Liebesverbot_ overtures, while the versions in the Sawallisch complete recordings of these two early Wagner operas are better still. But the Rahbari/Malaga Phil performances of each of these pieces are still perfectly satisfactory in every way.

And, still with other performances of Wagner rarities, the world premier recording of the _König Enzio_ overture, also on this Naxo disk, was released in 2001 by the Robert Schumann Philharmonic Chemnitz under Oleg Caetani. That also offers a better performance than the Malaga Phil under Rahbari, though Rahbari and crew are perfectly good. The Caetani disk is worth having not only for the _König Enzio_ overture, which at the time wasn't available elsewhere, but also for the original version of Wagner's Prelude to Tannhäuser_ Act III, which is longer and more complex, and in my opinion better, than the better known, later, version. In more familiar territory the Caetani disk also offers a rattling good _Fliegende Holländer_ overture, and good performances of the _Lohengrin_ Acts I and III preludes, the _Tannhäuser_ overture, a "Walkürenritt" and the _Meistersinger_ overture.

So where Rahbari and the Malaga Phil duplicate these earlier disks, the performances are good but not quite as good. But this is still a great collection of Wagner rarities, on which every piece is well played.

Moreover, as far as I know Rahbari offers the only performance of the _Christolph Columbus_ overture on the market. This is an attractive piece, with a lot of heroic trumpeting about and a couple of "bold mariner" type themes, competently handled by the young Wagner. By the way, Cosima's Diary notes that Wagner once heard Rubinstein playing an arrangement of Mendelsohnn's _Calm Seas and Prosperous Voyage_ overture, and remarked [quote from memory], "that's my _Christolph Columbus_ overture! What a thief I was as a young man!"

While I'd agree with Wagner that his younger self pinched ideas from all over the place, and the older composer was still prepared to help himself to the odd good thing, on this particular occasion I think Wagner accused himself falsely. Both overtures are excellent, but they are two independent pieces of music.

I strongly recommend this disk, especially at the Naxos price, to people wanting to explore some early, mostly minor but mostly attractive, Wagner.

Cheers!


Laon

Average customer rating:

Opera: Greatest Hits Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Borodin | Borodin, Alexander | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Flotow | Flotow, Friedrich von | ( F ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Leoncavallo | Leoncavallo, Ruggiero | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mascagni | Mascagni, Pietro | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Puccini | Puccini, Giacomo | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wagner | Wagner, Richard | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rossini | Rossini, Gioacchino | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Hungarian National Philharmonic Orchestra | ( H ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music London Philharmonic Orchestra | ( L ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music National Philharmonic Orchestra London | ( N ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music New York Philharmonic Orchestra | ( N ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra | ( V ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music 4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: The Best of Italian Opera The First Placido Domingo International Voice Competition The Most Famous Opera Arias Escape Through Opera Mad About Italian Opera ASIN: B000002AVU Release Date: 1994-12-06

Tracks:

1. Carmen: Prelude
2. Carmen: Habenera
3. Don Giovanni: 'La ci darem la mano'
4. The Barber Of Seville: 'Largo al factotum'
5. Gianni Schicci: 'O mio babbino caro'
6. TOSCA: 'E lucevan le stelle'
7. TOSCA: 'Vissi d'arte'
8. Turandot: 'Nessun dorma!'
9. Madama Butterfly: 'Un bel di'
10. Pagliacci: 'Vesti la giubba'
11. Cavalleria Rusticana: Intermezzo
12. Aida: Grand March
13. Aida: 'Celeste Aida'
14. The Barber Of Seville: 'Una voce poco fa'
15. Luisa Miller: 'Quando le sere al placido'
16. Il Trovatore: Anvil Chorus
17. Il Trovatore: 'Di quella pira'
18. La Traviata: 'Libiamo' (Drinking Song)
19. Rigoletto: 'La donna e mobile'
20. Tannhauser: 'Dich, teure halla'
21. Martha: 'M'appari tutt'amor'
22. Prince Igor: Polovstian Dance (excerpt)

Average customer rating: Minor Wagner... The _Polonia_ Overture is the best of these rarities wagner marches & overtures Wagner in rare 'official' mode.

Wagner: Marches & Overtures Manufacturer: Naxos ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Wagner | Wagner, Richard | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Romantic | Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Overtures | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music CDs Under $7 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music 4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Wagner: Overtures Wagner: Complete Works for Piano Wagner: Cantatas & Overtures Hans Rott: Symphony No. 1; Orchestral Works Wagner - Der Ring des Nibelungen / Levine, Metropolitan Opera (Complete Ring Cycle) ASIN: B00005AYEN Release Date: 2001-05-15

Tracks:

1. Polonia (Ov)
2. American Centennial March
3. Rule Britannia (Ov)
4. Imperial March

Customer Reviews:

Minor Wagner..........2005-11-29

The interest in this CD is in the rarities of the music. All you die hard Wagner fans will get a thrill of fanfares and flourishes, with bombastic finales. You'll also get little thematic development and simplistic ideas. Only the "Imperial March" written for political favor gives us a glimpse of the composers great operatic achievements. "Polonia" was born after a night of drinking with some Polish exiles, naturally constructed of patriotic song and dance from Poland. Commissioned by the City of Philadephia, Wagner was paid $5 grand for the "American Centennial March", masterfully orchestrated with the most simplistic material. "Rule Britania" goes on way too long, again
stretching minimum to the max, for over 12 minutes. The constant repetition likening to a dentist performing root canal.
Much of these works were done hastily as Wagner was constantly
being pursued by debtors. Still all in all the curiosity value is there! Maybe a more spacious recording would have made me judge better.

The _Polonia_ Overture is the best of these rarities .......2004-08-06

Here is a disk of extremely minor Wagner orchestral pieces, with the Hong Kong Philharmonic under Varujan Kojian. This disk was originally released on the Marco Polo label, and is now issued by Naxos. It includes the _Polonia_ and _Rule Britannia_ overtures, the _American Centennial March_ and the _Kaisermarsch_.

The good news is that two of these pieces, the _Polonia_ and _Rule Britannia_ overtures, are not available in any other recording that I'm aware of, so this disk offers a significant expansion of the accessible Wagner repertoire. The bad news is that what we have here is some mostly ordinary work by conductor and orchestra, and some mostly wretched work by the composer.

I don't think any performance could save Wagner's _Rule Britannia_ overture, a very youthful work written, if memory serves, to flatter a British music-publishing house into offering him a commission. No commission came, but one can hardly blame the British for not requesting more of the same. The piece opens with fanfares, scales and so on in an attempt to work up some tension before introducing the Grand Old Tune. The Grand Old Tune once stated, Wagner plays it again louder, as one does, then flails about with uninspired exposition of bits of the theme. The Big Tune eventually emerges again on brass, with a lot of accompanying exercise for drum-thumpers, cymbal-crashers, and so on, before finally winding up. It sounds like what some people must think Elgar sounds like, if they know Elgar only by reputation. Its minutes feel like hours.

Comparing Kojian's performance of the _American Centennial March_ with that of LSO under Marek Janowski (in a disk of Wagner excerpts including several rarities, also available on Amazon and highly recommended by me) exposes the limitations of Kojian's straightforward, workmanlike approach. Under Kojian the piece seems absolutely intolerable, empty, banal, noisy and repetitive. But the Janowski disk manages to find contrasts, nuances, light and shade, and some forward propulsion in the piece. It still isn't a great piece of music, but Janowski is a far better advocate for it than Kojian.

There's also more to the _Kaisermarsch_ that Kojian reveals, and again the Janowski offers a better account. But the main fault with this piece is not with Kojian, nor even exactly with Wagner. It's with Prussian Court officials, who overruled Wagner's wish to write a sorrowful piece for the fallen in the recent Franco-Prussian War, and demanded a celebratory piece instead. They got what they wanted, if a perfunctory, uninspired and serviceable piece was what they wanted: and it probably was. I can't help regretting that Wagner never wrote the music he actually felt moved to write, though.

Summing up, I'd warn against this disk, except for one thing. The _Polonia_ overture is one of Wagner's better early pieces, written in an outburst of enthusiasm for the cause of Polish independence and democracy, and making effective (if still slightly overblown) use of Polish songs and anthems. And the performance by Kojian and the Hong Kong Phil is fine, slightly coarse but good enough to present a reasonable case for this piece.

Wagner wrote the _Polonia_ overture when he was about 18, while he wrote the American Centennial March at the time he was composing _Parsifal_. However the younger composer did far better work than the mature one, though both pieces celebrated nations and democratic struggles that he genuinely admired. I suspect that Wagner's attempt to think of "American" themes affected the slight swing with which the Flower Maidens serenade Parsifal. But he saved all his best inspirations for the opera, using only his second rate ideas in the occasional piece. I still feel that the second rateness of Wagner's American celebration was rather a pity, since it belied Wagner's feelings for America, which were strong enough for Wagner to have been seriously considering emigration there.

So if you can pick this disk up at a super-bargain price, it may be worth it for the one track. But it should be cheaper than even the normal Naxos price before you could consider your money well spent.

Cheers!


Laon

wagner marches & overtures.......2003-09-26

Wagner's music is powerfull superb experience. I've red that give you a strog character and determination besides it's beautifull. He is one of my favourite composers. I recomend Wagner music at all.

Wagner in rare 'official' mode........2001-11-23

I don't think it does Wagner a disservice to suggest that he didn't actually bleed creatively to complete these mostly commissioned works. the fact that three of the four clock in at 12 minutes apiece suggests the functionality of their composition. to be frank, if you heard any of these pieces on the radio, and were told they were by, say, Sullivan or Elgar, you wouldn't be at all surprised. Wagner gives his clients exactly what they want - grand public, patriotic showpieces that stir the feet if not the soul.

to suggest that they are not Wagnerian, however, is to overlook an important aspect of his work. some of his most famous operatic pieces - such as the wedding march from 'Lohengrin' - are specifically social expressions, while 'Die Meistersinger' is the ultimate 'public' opera. The most recognisably Wagnerian piece here, perhaps surprisingly, is the 'American Centennial March', which is full of pastiche-Lohengrinisms, perhaps a nostalgic indulgence just after completing the worlds-apart 'Ring' cycle and beginning 'Parsifal'. The 'Polonia Overture' is a conventional enough piece of romantic nationalism, made delightful by Wagner's lack of personal input, and his dark orchestral colouring. 'Rule Britannia' is one for those who like to stand on stools in front of a big mirror for a spot of air-conducting (ahem...), weaving familiar melodies of imperial pomp into a briskly, stately overture. the most likable piece, however, is the closing 'Imperial March', which has a rich, repeated main theme more familiar from Elgar, and a melancholy that belies the ceremonial intent.

any CD that presents rare, non-operatic Wagner is more than welcome: Varujan Kojian and his Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra translate zest and pleasure to the listener.

Average customer rating: The Best Of Karajan At A Cheap Price! Wow! WONDERFUL COLLECTION......... Enchanting! A music lover's dream

Romantic Adagio: Karajan Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Chopin | Chopin, Frédéric | ( C ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Delibes, Léo | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Dvorák, Antonín | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Grieg, Edvard | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mascagni | Mascagni, Pietro | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Offenbach | Offenbach, Jacques | ( O ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Smetana | Smetana, Bedrich | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Tchaikovsky | Tchaikovsky, Peter Ilyich | ( T ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wagner | Wagner, Richard | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Divertimentos | Serenades & Divertimentos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Romantic | Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Overtures | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Tone Poems | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Ballets & Dances | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra | ( B ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Karajan: Adagio Adagio 2 Karajan Forever: The Greatest Classical Hits ASIN: B000001GS6 Release Date: 1997-01-28

Tracks:

1. Cavalleria Rusticana: Intermezzo sinfonico
2. The Tales Of Hoffmann: Barcarolle
3. Romeo And Juliet: Love Theme
4. Les Sylphides: Nocturne
5. Eine kleine Nachtmusik: Romance
6. Vltava (The Moldau)
7. Scheherazade: The Young Prince And The Young Princess
8. Coppelia: Ballad
9. From Holberg's Time: Sarabande
10. Serenade For String Orchestra: Moderato
11. Carmen: Entr'acte III
12. Tristan And Isolde: Isoldes Liebestod - Wagner

Customer Reviews:

The Best Of Karajan At A Cheap Price! Wow!.......2005-08-15

Close to perfect, really, if at least one track included Beethoven's Ninth Symphony "Ode To Joy" or other Karajan-conducted slow movements from symphonies. Also if Ravel's Bolero or Debussy's La Mer were on here. This is truly an incomparable collection at the very affordable price of about 2-3 dollars. Karajan's magical interpretations of adagios are gloriously showcased. Karajan was without a doubt the greatest conductor immediately after the loss of Arturo Toscanini, who is still hailed as the number one conductor of all time. Karajan, like Toscanini, were giants of classical music, making the music such a powerful and emotional experience that it was as if they had written the pieces themselves. Karajan was so involved with the music he conducted that he was able to conduct with his eyes closed. He FELT the music and was genuinely passionate about conducting. In adagios, the more relaxed, sustained and lyrical aspects of the music is exposed as is the more graceful conducting of Karajan.

The music included here is the moving and very Italianate Intermezzo from the opera Cavalleria Rusticana by Mascagni. Karajan really delivers here and is a fine first track to begin with. It's followed by the elegantly-executed Barcarolle, complete with nocturnal and watery modes from the Offenbach opera, The Tales of Hoffman. The Love Theme from the Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture by Tchaikovsky is priceless music and Tchaikovsky really steps up the emotional impact of the work. More charming and genteel phrasing is used in the music for the ballet Les Sylphides, with music from Chopin arranged for orchestra and for the Romanza in Mozart's Eine Kleine Nachtmusik.

I have never heard the true "Moldau" by Smetana until I heard it here. Under Karajan's baton, the river comes alive and the journey is much more compelling. The theme for the Young Prince and Princess from Rimsky-Korsakov's "Scheherazade" is simply gorgeous, full of romantic Russian-ism. Karajan takes us to the time of Holberg in Grieg's Holberg Suite in a fine interpretation of the Sarabande. Karajan conducting Dvorak's String Serenade in E major is noble. The final tracks are perhaps the most musically masterful, eventhough all the previous pieces were well-executed even if they are not bigger in scope. The Carmen music- Overture and Preludes are remarkable. Karajan is in fine form and the music is crisp, powerful and colorful. Karajan knew Carmen. How this proudly Austrian man knew how to bring out the magnetism of a French piece like Carmen is beyond me. He in fact conduced the best Carmen performances at the Salzburg Festival, the ones with Grace Bumbry and Jon Vickers in the late 60's.

Finally, the last piece is the Liebestod, the Finale from Wagner's great opera Tristan and Isolde. Now, if anything, get this cheap album for that !! You have not heard the Liebestod until you've heard it conducted by Karajan. In this recording, he is already a seasoned conductor with years of experience since his young conductor days in the 30's and 40's. Judging ffrom the cover in which his hair is white and his face is wrinkled I can discern this is a probably an 80's recording when he was in his old age (because Karajan began seriously recording for labels in the 80's most people assumed he was always white-haired). His interpretation of the Liebestod is powerful, and deeply spiritual, withou sounding affected or melodramatic. He is in full control of the music. He knew Wagner through the music. Isolde's final aria has been likened to an orgasm or to a spiritual transformation by music scholars. Karajan brings out every bit of this theory in his rendition. A young Karajan conducting the Liebestod is harder to find, but its probably preferable to go with this version since by this time he knew the Liebestod inside and out. It's breathtaking and climatic. It's the best piece of music ever and the best of Karajan's repertoire.

WONDERFUL COLLECTION................2002-03-13

THIS IS AN OUTSTANDING COLLECTION OF SOME OF THE MOST POPULAR
MUSIC WRITTEN. HERBERT VON KARAJAN IS AT HIS USUAL BEST. THIS IS A GREAT CD TO READ BY OR JUST SIT AND LISTEN TOO. I HIGHLY
RECOMMEND IT...

Enchanting!.......2001-01-11

This is the rare CD that will appeal to newcomers and afficionados alike. For a lover of classical music, it is often annoying to hear parts of a composition played out of context from the main piece but this is alleviated by the choice of music on this disc. As the name itself indicates, the selected pieces are highly melodic slow movements from masters of the genre. The composers on this CD need no introduction and the selection is by and large superb, with only one jarring note. Mascagni's Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana, Chopin's Nocturne from Les Sylphides, Tchaikovsky's Theme from Romeo & Juliet, Korsakov's Theme from Scheherazade, Dvorak's Moderato and of course Mozart's Romance from Eine Kleine Nachtmusik are melodies that live forever and the others are not far behind, with the possible execption of Smetana's Vltava which does not quite fit in with the overall theme of the disc. The icing on the cake of course is that the performances are by none other than the Berlin Philharmonic under Karajan's baton. What more can one ask for? A perfect disc to listen to on a lazy evening or after a hard day's work. And for a newcomer to classical music, this disc is an excellent sampler that will whet the appetite for more.

A music lover's dream.......2000-04-30

The CD has all the lushness and slow tempi (adagio, of course) for which Karajan was renowned (and sometimes reviled). Every track is a gem, from the graceful ballet music of Les Sylphides to the opulent melody from Scheherazade. Particularly exquisite is the Liebestod from Tristan und Isolde. All in all, a beautiful listening experience, and highly recommended.

Average customer rating: Very good... Solti Speaks Wagnerian Not really great playing... Excellent What a collection!

Wagner: Favourite Overtures / Sir Georg Solti Manufacturer: Decca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Wagner | Wagner, Richard | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Solti, Sir Georg | ( S ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra | ( V ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music ASIN: B000006P4V Release Date: 1998-05-12

Tracks:

1. Die Walkure: The Ride Of The Valkyries
2. Lohengrin: Prelude Act I
3. Rienzi: Overture
4. Der fliegende Hollander: Overture
5. Tristan und Isolde: Prelude, Act I
6. Tannhauser: Overture
7. Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg: Prelude, Act I

Customer Reviews:

Very good..........2007-03-29

This album is a good one, but a very strange one too. Both orchestras under Solti, are simply astounding. All the pieces in this album are well played and are skilfully conducted by Solti.
Yet, the only reason why I gave it 3 stars, was for the mere reason that Ride of the Valkyries is an excerpt, don't get me wrong, it is extremely well played, yet, that fact that it is a 3+ minute excerpt is rather disappointing. Also, you may hear an awckward timpani entrance in Tannhauser, but that is no reason not to buy this album. Some may complain that Solti liked overblown brass, but in my experience as an orchestral player, for Wagner, you need brass, and no the brass is not overblown.
My other comment on this album is The Flying Dutchman (Der Fliegende Hollander). Performed by the Vienna Phil. (Wiener Phil.), this performance is simply awesome. I still need to get the one with CSO, but as far as this goes, this track is simply awesome. I sincerely think if you do purchase this CD you will enjoy not only The Flying Dutchman, but the rest of the tracks as well. Enjoy!

Solti Speaks Wagnerian.......2002-10-25

I find this particular Solti interpretation of Tannhauser to be one of the best I've heard. The bold and brassy use of horns is both invigorating and unsettling. Thank you Maestro Solti for "painting" with a bold brush when required.

The reason I did not give this disc 5 stars, is because I also found the abbreviated 3 minute clip of The Ride of the Valkyries to be not only disappointing but also unacceptable.

Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg is vintage Solti. His interpretation is probably one of the standard measures for others to compare on this one.

The Rienzi Overture is well done. However, I believe most will find the version conducted by George Szell of the Cleveland Orchestra to be the best. Look for it in Sony's Essential Classics.

Most should find this CD a valuable addition to a basic collection of Wagner instrumentals and I recommend it highly.

Not really great playing..........2002-10-11

This in not a terrible disc but, if I had the chance, I would not buy it again. There is some pretty distasteful playing that goes on, especially in Tannhauser. Orchestral balance is way off in many places. Also, upon listening critically, one will discover some missed notes in Ride of the Valkries, and a very awkward timpani entrance in the first statement of the theme in Tannhauser. For the level that the CSO and VPO regularly perform at, this is really unacceptable. Another complaint with Die Walkure is that, for some odd reason, a three minute version is recorded instead of the five minute version that I am accustomed to. It seems like about a hundred or so bars of music are omitted.

If you like Solti and his approach to Wagner, you might want to give this a try. If not, there are better to be found.

Excellent.......2002-01-29

This CD quickly made it's way into my favourites collection. I'd have to say tracks 5 and 6 alone are worth the cost of the CD. On a scale of 1-5 stars, I'd say this is really a 6!

What a collection!.......1999-05-13

This is Wagner as it should be--conducted by one of the best and played by the two best orchestras in the world.

Meditation Music:

1. Wagner & Strauss
2. Wolf-Ferrari - Sly / Carreras, Milnes, Cantarero
3. A Night at the Operetta
4. Aarre Merikanto: Juha [Box set]
5. Alban Berg: Wozzeck, Op 7
6. Arias from "Boris Godunov" and Other Operas
7. Atlas: An Opera in 3 Parts [Soundtrack]
8. Beethoven: Leonore (Original Version of Fidelio)
9. Bellini: I Puritani
10. Bellini: La Straniera

Meditation Music

meditation music

Meditation Music

Silent Nation

Burgess: Quatuor Nos. 1, 2 & 3

Boleros & Love Songs of Spain

Music: G-A-Y [Import]

Big Brother Theme [CD-single] [Import]

Black Mahogani 2

Best of Irish Music

Back Home [DualDisc] [Limited Edition]

Best of the Bootlegs [Live] [Import]

Capitol Years

Beauty & the Beast [Import]

Amor de Arrepiar [Import]

Big Boi and Dre Present...Outkast [Clean]

I've Got the Blues

One Night in Vienna