Mengelberg Conducts Strauss: Ein Heldenleben / Don Juan (also includes Wagenaar: Cyrano de Bergerac Overture)

On this CD:

1. Ein Heldenleben (A Hero's Life), tone poem for orchestra, Op. 40
Composed by Richard Strauss
Performed by New York Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra with Scipione Guidi
Conducted by Willem Mengelberg

2. Don Juan, tone poem for orchestra, Op. 20
Composed by Richard Strauss
Performed by Concertgebouw Orchestra Amsterdam
Conducted by Willem Mengelberg

3. Cyrano de Bergerac, concert overture, for orchestra, Op 23
Composed by Johan Wagenaar
Performed by Concertgebouw Orchestra Amsterdam
Conducted by Willem Mengelberg

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Wilhelm Mengelberg was one of the great conductors of the century and this 1928 Heldenleben is one of the great recordings of the century. There's a comprehensive mastery in this recording that made it an instant classic when it was first released and it continues to repay repeated hearings. Mengelberg's interpretive subtleties enliven what often seems just a pot-boiler; his sensitive rubatos and discreet portamentos make phrases come alive. The orchestra is perfection itself, and concertmaster Scipione Guidi's rapt violin solos are riveting. Mark Obert-Thorn's transfers make the recording sound as if it was made two decades later. The Concertgebouw items, from 1938 and 1942, are also compelling, with a fleet, vivacious Don Juan the main attraction. --Dan Davis

Mengelberg Conducts Strauss: Ein Heldenleben / Don Juan (also includes Wagenaar: Cyrano de Bergerac Overture), Music, Richard Strauss, Johan Wagenaar, Willem Mengelberg, Scipione Guidi, Concertgebouw Orchestra - Amsterdam, New York Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra, Classical, Classical Composers, Classical Music, Orchestral, Romantic Overture for Orchestra, Romantic Tone Poem/Symphonic Poem for Orchestra
Mengelberg Conducts Strauss: Ein Heldenleben / Don Juan (also includes Wagenaar: Cyrano de Bergerac Overture)
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • At last! The great New York Heldenleben!
 Mengelberg Conducts Strauss: Ein Heldenleben / Don Juan (also includes Wagenaar: Cyrano de Bergerac Overture)
Richard Strauss , Johan Wagenaar , Willem Mengelberg , Scipione Guidi , Concertgebouw Orchestra - Amsterdam , and New York Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra
Manufacturer: Pearl
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

All Works by StraussAll Works by Strauss | Strauss, Richard | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
OverturesOvertures | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
Tone PoemsTone Poems | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
General ModernGeneral Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
New York Philharmonic OrchestraNew York Philharmonic Orchestra | ( N ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
Similar Items:
  1. Mengelberg: Wagner; R. Strauss; Mahler
  2. Strauss Conducts Ein Heldenleben
  3. Mengelberg: Maestro Appassionato (Box Set)
  4. Richard Strauss: Ein Heldenleben, Tod und Verklarung
  5. Mengelberg Conducts Beethoven - Symphonies no 1, 3-6 & 8

ASIN: B00000604Q
Release Date: 1998-04-21

Tracks:

  1. Ein Heldenleben Op.40: The Hero
  2. Ein Heldenleben Op.40: The Hero's Adversaries
  3. Ein Heldenleben Op.40: The Hero's Companion
  4. Ein Heldenleben Op.40: The Hero's Battlefield
  5. Ein Heldenleben Op.40: The Hero's Works Of Peace
  6. Ein Heldenleben Op.40: The Hero's Retreat From The World And Fulfilment
  7. Don Juan, Op. 20
  8. Cyrano de Bergerac: Overture 'Cyrano de Bergerac'

Amazon.com

Wilhelm Mengelberg was one of the great conductors of the century and this 1928 Heldenleben is one of the great recordings of the century. There's a comprehensive mastery in this recording that made it an instant classic when it was first released and it continues to repay repeated hearings. Mengelberg's interpretive subtleties enliven what often seems just a pot-boiler; his sensitive rubatos and discreet portamentos make phrases come alive. The orchestra is perfection itself, and concertmaster Scipione Guidi's rapt violin solos are riveting. Mark Obert-Thorn's transfers make the recording sound as if it was made two decades later. The Concertgebouw items, from 1938 and 1942, are also compelling, with a fleet, vivacious Don Juan the main attraction. --Dan Davis

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars At last! The great New York Heldenleben!.......2000-07-19

Strauss dedicated "Ein Heldenleben"to Mengelberg, and it's easy to see why when listening to this recording. No other conductor brings such surging life to this score. Normally, I find Mengelberg's Concertgebouw recordings even more intense than the corresponding Philharmonic versions, but this is a glorious exception. Pearl's transfer is the only one faithful to the sound of the original 78's, and preserves the wide dynamic range of the originals. The Telefunken Concertgebouw "Don Juan" also finds its best-sounding incarnation in this release. I can't imagine anyone listening to this set and not changing their minds about "Ein Heldenleben" for the better. Mengelberg is a refreshing change from today's sterile music-making. Listen and see if you agree.

Music Track:

  1. Mozart and Merlot
  2. Mozart: Eine kleine Nachtmusik; Salzburger Divertimenti
  3. Mozart: Symphonies 38 & 40
  4. Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition; Saint-Saens: Carnival of the Animals: No13
  5. Native American Stories in Classical Flute Music
  6. Nielsen: Symphonies 3 & 6
  7. One Piano, Four Hands
  8. Opera Highlights: Turandot
  9. Orpheus & Eurydice
  10. Patchworks: Music That's in Charge

Music Track

music track

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