Strauss: Don Juan; Till Eulenspiegel; Also sprach Zarathustra

On this CD:

1. Don Juan, tone poem for orchestra, Op. 20
Composed by Richard Strauss
Performed by Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra
Conducted by Zdenek Kosler

2. Till Eulenspiegels lustige Streiche (Till Eulenspiegel's Merry Pranks), tone poem for orchestra, Op. 28
Composed by Richard Strauss
Performed by Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra
Conducted by Zdenek Kosler

3. Also sprach Zarathustra (Thus Spoke Zoroaster), tone poem for orchestra, Op. 30
Composed by Richard Strauss
Performed by Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra
Conducted by Zdenek Kosler

Strauss: Don Juan; Till Eulenspiegel; Also sprach Zarathustra, Music, Richard Strauss, Zdenek Kosler, Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra, Classical, Classical Composers, Classical Music, Orchestral, Romantic Tone Poem/Symphonic Poem for Orchestra

Average customer rating:

Excellent Strauss representative in a modest collection

Great, But Karajan's Digital Zarathustra is even better!

Til Eulenspiegel is the reason I have this C.D.!

The greatest recording of Zarathustra ?

Strauss: Also Sprach Zarathustra, Don Juan / Karajan

Strauss: Also Sprach Zarathustra, Don Juan / Karajan

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Dances | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music
All Works by Strauss | Strauss, Richard | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
Tone Poems | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra | ( B ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Classical | Styles | Music
Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Strauss: Four Last Songs / Karajan, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra

Richard Strauss: Eine Alpensinfonie

Tchaikovsky: Symphonies no 4, 5, & 6 / Karajan, Berlin PO

Dvorák: Cello Concerto; Tchaikovsky / Karajan, Rostropovich,

Beethoven: Symphonien Nos. 5 & 7 / Kleiber, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra

ASIN: B000001GQT
Release Date: 1996-04-09

Tracks:

Thus Spoke Zarathustra - Tone-poem For Large Orchestra (Freely After Friedrich Nietzsche): Einleitung - Introduction
Thus Spoke Zarathustra - Tone-poem For Large Orchestra (Freely After Friedrich Nietzsche): Von den Hinterweltlern - Of The Backworldsmen
Thus Spoke Zarathustra - Tone-poem For Large Orchestra (Freely After Friedrich Nietzsche): Von der grossen Sehnsucht - Of The Great Longing
Thus Spoke Zarathustra - Tone-poem For Large Orchestra (Freely After Friedrich Nietzsche): Von den Freuden und Leidenschaften - Of Joys And Passions
Thus Spoke Zarathustra - Tone-poem For Large Orchestra (Freely After Friedrich Nietzsche): Das Grablied - The Song Of The Grave
Thus Spoke Zarathustra - Tone-poem For Large Orchestra (Freely After Friedrich Nietzsche): Von der Wissenschaft - Of Science And Learning
Thus Spoke Zarathustra - Tone-poem For Large Orchestra (Freely After Friedrich Nietzsche): Der Genesende - The Convalescent
Thus Spoke Zarathustra - Tone-poem For Large Orchestra (Freely After Friedrich Nietzsche): Das Tanzlied - The Dance-Song
Thus Spoke Zarathustra - Tone-poem For Large Orchestra (Freely After Friedrich Nietzsche): Nachtwandlerlied - Song Of The Night Wanderer
Till Eulenspiegels lustige Streiche Op. 28 - Nach alter Schelmenweise - In Rondeauform: Till Eulenspiegel's Merry Pranks - After An Old Picaresque Legend - In Rondeau Form
Don Juan Op. 20: Tondichtung nach Nikolaus Lenau - Tone-poem After Nikolaus Lenau
Salome: Tanz der sieben Schleier - Dance Of The Seven Veils

Amazon.com essential recording

Herbert von Karajan was a Strauss specialist, and if ever composer and conductor were united in musical philosophy, then these two were. Both favored making a beautiful, creamy, homogenized sound over just about all else, and von Karajan clearly relished the opportunities this music offered for playing that combined both tonal opulence and virtuosity. His Zarathustra (a.k.a. 2001: A Space Odyssey) is, along with Fritz Reiner's, probably among the two or three best performances preserved on disc, and von Karajan is nearly flawless on the other works as well. More good news: DG has given him warm, rich sound that's much better than their Berlin average. An essential Strauss collection. --David Hurwitz

Amazon.com

The readings from Herbert von Karajan and the Berlin Philharmonic are exquisitely played and splendidly recorded. Von Karajan's way with the music is supple, suave, and dashingly characterful, and his tempos are faultlessly judged. The orchestra is at its best, remarkable for the silky transparency it brings to the texture and the fascinating detail of the solo work--not least, the flute solos by James Galway, then a member of the BPO. The recording has been optimally transferred and presents a solid image. --Ted Libbey

Customer Reviews:

Excellent Strauss representative in a modest collection.......2007-05-03

This is another example of 'big' music, major works by Strauss by THE major post WW II German conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic. I probably would have never bothered to spend much time listening to Richard Strauss if it were not for the fact that the first few bars of 'Also Sprach Zarathustra' was the opening music for Stanley Kubrick's '2001'. And, I believe it was this version (or one sounding extremely similar to this one) which was used by Kubrick. As a fan of liturgical music, I have to say that Strauss' 'Zarathustra' may be thought of as 'anti-liturgical' music, since it takes its title and temper from the philosopher Friedrich Nietsche's most famous work, a distinctly anti-Christian, existential source document. The other works on this recording are also 'high' Strauss, especially 'Till Eulenspiegels lustige Streiche', a celebration of classic German folklore.

There must be hundreds of 'Zarathustra' recordings, but if you must have at least one, this one is a winner, especially at the price.

Great, But Karajan's Digital Zarathustra is even better!.......2005-12-24

Herbert von Karajan recorded the great Strauss tone-poem Also Sprach Zarathustra three times, each time it was exceptional and each record ranks at the top of the mountain, so to speak. The first record was in 1959 with the Vienna Philharmornic. That was the version used by Stanley Kubrick in 2001: A Space Odyssey. This version that I'm reviewing here is from 1974 with the Berlin Philharmonic and there is a final version from 1983, also with Berlin. This 1974 account is probably the second best ever, only the later digital version is superior. It's not a superior interpretation, ( Karajan was always inspired in this music ), it's just that the later version has a deeper bass sound which adds greatly to the awesome experience. The later version, coupled with the tone-poem Don Juan is on the Karajan Gold disc, catalog number 439 016-2. Make sure you get that Gold disc. If you're a fan of this work, you might want to get them both as there are a few, albeit, slight differences in the 2 recordings.

On this 1974 record I'm reviewing, track 2, Of the Backworldsmen is tremendously powerful, such sweeping string sound unlike in any Zarathustra you've ever heard, it's better than Karajan's later version in this part. However the later version is more significant in the opening and later parts like Of Joys and Passions and as well as the rich, deep restatement of the Sunrise theme.

As for the music itself, Zarathustra is one of the most evocative and fascinating of the orchestral works of Strauss, from the famous opening to the transcendent fury to come to the hushed, meditative polytonal ending, contrasting the two keys representing man and nature. I want to pay particular attention to a couple of passages that display Strauss' strengths and weaknesses in this work. Listen to track 6, subtitled Of Science and Learning. Strauss composes a fugue based on all 12 tones of the chromatic scale, years before Schoenberg's shenanigans. The fugue is great, a dark sound rumbling from the bowels of the orchestra and then it grows and grows and wham, you get this ultra sweet sound on high violins! What's up with that? Strauss schmaltzing it up! Well, you can't have everything. Later in the work, Strauss uses the Viennesse waltz to convey the dance of Nietzsche's Superman. This is Strauss being at his ironic and humorous best and worst! Later the orchestra expands and explodes with unrelenting force in the part just before the Midnight Bell and then the music closes beautifully in the Song of the Grave. All in all, the tone-poem is a stunning display of orchestral wizardry and power and no composer in history could utilize the modern orchestra to the farthest range of it's capabilities like Richard Strauss. ( Gustav Mahler, Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov, Maurice Ravel and Ottorino Respighi are four challengers. )

The other works on this CD are quite a success as well, Karajan loved the tone-poem Don Juan and played it many times, Till Eulenspiegel is played well too, I might prefer Haitink's version here. The dance of the seven veils from Salome is highly sensual, but I prefer the power and sexual excitement of Solti's recording for this Salome excerpt.

I've heard many Zarathustras, two versions by Solti, the 1954 and 1960 Reiner versions as well as Kempe, Sawallisch, Boulez and others, but it's Karajan I return to. This 1974 is top of the line but make sure to add the digital 1983 recording to your collection as well, turn it up loud and be swept into ecstasy while sending all your neighbors into a fury!

Til Eulenspiegel is the reason I have this C.D.!.......2005-10-19

Herbert Von Karajan and the Berlin Philharmonic did a splendid job on one of my personal favorite classic pieces, Til Eulenspiegel's Merry Pranks. It's 15 minutes worth of wonderful music put together in this C.D. along with Also Sprach Zarathustra! Enjoyable listening with this c.d.!!

The greatest recording of Zarathustra ?.......2005-09-13

Karajan and his beloved Berlin Philharmonic have been accused of "over indulgency" (for example, in the complete recordings of the Beethoven Symphonies, also available on Deutsche Gramaphon). However, the same cannot be said for this recording. Lustrous strings, powerful brass and clear and concise woodwinds, all combined under the virtuosity of probably, at the time, the world's greatest conductor with the world's greatest orchestra !

The opening of Zarathustra (made famous to the point of boring repetition from the movie 2001, a space odyssey), is easily susceptible to over emotional interpretation from the conductor; not so here.It is delivered with subtlety and combined with the awe inspiring power one would expect from the combination of the reputation of such a conductor and such an orchestra.

This almost "hands-off" interpretation of the work extends to the other Richard Strauss works also on the CD; Til Eulenspiegel, Don Juan and Salome, Dance of the Seven veils. For ANYONE interested in the works of this German composer, this CD is an absolute MUST!!! In over 35 years of listening to classical music, I would say this superbly re engineered recording from the original of 1974 represents the geatest interpretation ever made on vinyl (or in this case, digital)media of Strauss' best music.

An absolutely wonderful CD demonstrating the technical AND musical skills of an orchestra that during the 1970's and 80's was regarded as the world's best, being conducted by a conductor who, for over 30 years, was regarded as the world's best!

Strauss: Also Sprach Zarathustra, Don Juan / Karajan.......2005-08-09

Excellent items! Fast delivery. Thanks.

Average customer rating:

first-rate interpretations, second-rate recorded sound
Not worth it!!!!!!!
Wonderful Interpretation throughout.

Strauss: Tone Poems

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Dances | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Classical | Box Sets | Stores | Music

Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Schumann Piano Works
Schubert: 8 Symphonies
Richard Strauss: Eine Alpensinfonie
Mendelssohn: 5 Symphonies; 7 Overtures
Brahms: The Complete Symphonies / Karajan, Berlin PO

ASIN: B00002DF9N
Release Date: 2001-03-13

Tracks:

An Alpine Symphony, Op.64: Night - Sunrise - Berliner Philharmoniker
An Alpine Symphony, Op.64: The Ascent - Berliner Philharmoniker
An Alpine Symphony, Op.64: Entering The Wood - Berliner Philharmoniker
An Alpine Symphony, Op.64: Wandering By The Brook - By The Waterfall - Apparition - Berliner Philharmoniker
An Alpine Symphony, Op.64: Flowery Meadows - On The Mountain Pasture - On The Wrong Track Through Thickets And Undergrowth - On The Glacier - Berliner Philharmoniker
An Alpine Symphony, Op.64: Precarious moments - On The Summit - Vision - Berliner Philharmoniker
An Alpine Symphony, Op.64: Rising Mists - The Sun Gradually Dims - Elegy - Berliner Philharmoniker
An Alpine Symphony, Op.64: Calm Before The Storm - Berliner Philharmoniker
An Alpine Symphony, Op.64: Thunderstorm, Descent - Berliner Philharmoniker
An Alpine Symphony, Op.64: Sunset - Berliner Philharmoniker
An Alpine Symphony, Op.64: Epilogue - Night - Berliner Philharmoniker
Don Juan, Op.20: Tone Poem After Nikolaus Lenau - Berliner Philharmoniker
Waltzes From Act III - Berliner Philharmoniker

Tracks:

Thus Spake Zarathustra, Op.30: Introduction - Michel Schwalbe
Thus Spake Zarathustra, Op.30: Of The Backworldsmen - Michel Schwalbe
Thus Spake Zarathustra, Op.30: Of The Great Longing - Michel Schwalbe
Thus Spake Zarathustra, Op.30: Of Joys And Passions - Michel Schwalbe
Thus Spake Zarathustra, Op.30: The Song Of The Grave - Michel Schwalbe
Thus Spake Zarathustra, Op.30: Of Science - Michel Schwalbe
Thus Spake Zarathustra, Op.30: The Convalescent - Michel Schwalbe
Thus Spake Zarathustra, Op.30: The Dance Song - Michel Schwalbe
Thus Spake Zarathustra, Op.30: Song Of The Night Wanderer - Michel Schwalbe
Festival Prelude, Op.61 - Wolfgang Meyer
Till Eulenspiegel's Merry Pranks, Op.28 - Berliner Philharmoniker
Salome, Op.54: Dance Of The Seven Veils - Berliner Philharmoniker

Tracks:

A Hero's Life, Op.40: The Hero - Erich Muhlbach
A Hero's Life, Op.40: The Hero's Adversaries - Erich Muhlbach
A Hero's Life, Op.40: The Hero's Companion - Erich Muhlbach
A Hero's Life, Op.40: The Hero's Battlefield - Erich Muhlbach
A Hero's Life, Op.40: The Hero's Works Of Peace - Erich Muhlbach
A Hero's Life, Op.40: The Hero's Retirement From The World And Fulfilment - Erich Muhlbach
Death And Transfiguration, Op.24 - Staatskapelle Dresden

Customer Reviews:

first-rate interpretations, second-rate recorded sound.......2006-07-30

What admirable interpretations from Böhm! He breathes so much character into each of the musical "paragraphs" in these readings. Each theme is given its own distinct tempo, chosen with exceptional judgement to emphasize its idiosyncracies and expressive character; and Böhm can turn his orchestra on a dime when a good deal of contrast is called for between the end of one paragraph and beginning of the next. There's also enourmous dynamic range and contrast, form the softest pianissimi to thundering fortissimi. These are readings that really bring out the broad ebb and flow of these long pieces, emphasizing the structure, the architecture of them. They're really fantastic.

Do be warned, though, that the recorded sound is very dated: generally it's rather one-dimensional and the resolution is not very high, so that you mostly hear only the most prominent voices of the ensemble at any given time. It's at its worst in the Alpine Symphony, which sounds like a scratchy, screechy 1930's film soundtrack. In the rest of the pieces it ranges from good to serviceable; but if there's any repertoire that really benefits from today's high-fidelity recording technology, massive post-Romantic orchestral scores like these are certainly a front-runner. Buy this set for the marvellous interpretations, but you'll want to explore other, better-recorded readings as well to really hear the full depth and resonance of the orchestral sound.

Not worth it!!!!!!!.......2006-07-19

This seems like a great deal with the amount of material and the price, but the truth is "cheap price, cheap recordings" . I highly suggest if you want to get the most of Richard Strauss's tone poems you should buy different recordings. The main thing I was disappointed with on this box set was the recording of An Alpine Symphony. The recording of the alpine symphony was too old and weak, sloppy and loud (only at times),and just ok overall. The alpine symphony is on the first cd so I after I listened to that, I had a bad attitude about the rest of it. Even though, all of the other recordings are pretty good or ok.

Personally, I would suggest Karajan and the Berlin Philharmonic when it comes to Richard Strauss's tone poems.

Wonderful Interpretation throughout........2006-01-01

This collection is a wonderful package in that it brings together one of Strauss's life friends and largest advocates (Karl Bohm) with two incredible GERMAN orchestras playing their own nationalistic music.

These recordings rank among my most cherished and loved. Highlights (for me) include the climax of sunrise in the Alpine Symphony, the huge reverberations as the massive sound of the fff chords carry over into silence in Heldenleben, and the wicked-crazy horns as they rip through the Waltz from Rosenkavalier.

These are prime interpretations (better, I feel than any other -- and I mean ANY - sorry Karajan fans!!!). And these two wonderful forces play their musical heritage with passion and brilliance.

As another reviewer pointed out, the sound quality leaves something to be desired, however it is not quite as bad as they would have us believe. What we first must take into account is that Strauss' huge tone poems put enormous demands on the recording equipment of its day that could not be met. Also, Bohm was stressed above all else that "the melody be prominent". Yes - as a result the recording really kicks out the melody line.

Okay - take that into account and listen to these with some imagination. I assure you that you will be able to hear the detail of Strauss' music - but more importantly the style and idea of it. Listen like you would look at a black and white photo. While the B&W leaves more for your imagination, you still "get the picture" - and sometimes the B&W reveales more! It's exactly the same with this incredible box of Strauss.

The interpretation is absolutely stunning and revealing. Bohm nailed this on the head and truly captured the essence of this music. I feel this is a wonderful place for you to start if you know little Strauss - and if you know much about Strauss, this is a great place for you to hear a different, but seemingly perfect interpretation of Strauss.

Average customer rating:

Truly great Strauss conducting from Haitink
5 grandes poemas y una hermosa suite
Get this for the wonderful Heldenleben.
Zarathustra said "nevermore"
Just onde for Jochum?

Richard Strauss: 5 Great Tone Poems

Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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
Similar Items:

Schubert - String Quintet in C / Alban Berg Quartet · Schiff
Tone Poems in Full Score, Series 2: Till Eulenspiegels Lustige Streiche, also Sprach Zarathustra and Ein Heldenleben
Great Recordings Of The Century - Beethoven: Triple Concerto; Brahms: Double Concerto / Oistrakh, Rostropovich, Richter
Beethoven: Symphonien Nos. 5 & 7 / Kleiber, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra

ASIN: B000004198
Release Date: 1994-08-16

Tracks:

Don Juan, Op. 20
Ein Heldenleben, Op. 40 -: Der Held
Ein Heldenleben, Op. 40 -: Des Helden Widersacher
Ein Heldenleben, Op. 40 -: Des Helden Gefahrtin
Ein Heldenleben, Op. 40 -: Des Helden Walstatt
Ein Heldenleben, Op. 40 -: Des Helden Friedenswerke
Ein Heldenleben, Op. 40 -: Des Helden Weltflucht und Vollendung
Les joyeuses plaisanteries de Till l'Espiegle: Till Eulenspiegels lustige Streiche, Op.28

Tracks:

Also sprach Zarathustra, Op. 30: (Sonnenaufgang)
Also sprach Zarathustra, Op. 30: Von den Hinterweltlern
Also sprach Zarathustra, Op. 30: Von der grossen Sehnsucht
Also sprach Zarathustra, Op. 30: Von den Freuden und Leidenschaften
Also sprach Zarathustra, Op. 30: Das Grablied
Also sprach Zarathustra, Op. 30: Von der Wissenschaft
Also sprach Zarathustra, Op. 30: Der Genesende
Also sprach Zarathustra, Op. 30: Das Tanzlied
Also sprach Zarathustra, Op. 30: Das Nachtwandlerlied
Mort et transfiguration: Tod und Verklarung, Op. 24
Der Rosenkavalier, Op.59: First Suite of Waltzes
Der Rosenkavalier, Op.59: Second Suite of Waltzes

Customer Reviews:

Truly great Strauss conducting from Haitink.......2005-09-18

Philips outdid itself with wonderfully warm, clear, detailed sonics for Haitink's Also Sprach Zarathustra, and he obliged the engineers with a super-detailed reading that is riveting in every way. There is not a touch of Solti's vulgarity, and although I never thought I'd say it, this recording sounds better and comes off more dramatically than even Karajan's. Let's call it a tie. Everything else is wonderful as well.

5 grandes poemas y una hermosa suite.......2004-11-30

Bernard Haitink gano los mas pretigiosos premios con su serie de grabaciones de los poemas sinfónicos de Liszt y siguio su marcha de espectacular interpretacion con estos poemas sinfónicos verdaderamente notables.
Muerte y transfiguración, vida de heroe, don Juan y la siempre reducida a la introduccion Asi hablo Zaratustra son obras musicales que permaneceran como muchas en lo mas alto de la composición clasica y Haitink entre sus interpretes mas sobresalientes.
Este es un Cd de colección con obras grandiosas, geniales, llenas de emocion y magia, de sentimentalismo y plenas de innovadora genialidad.
Suma a esta maravillosa coleccion una sublime pieza de gran belleza, la suite del Caballero de la Rosa es notable y ademas en la soberbia direccion de Eugen Jochum, quien tomando a su cargo la orquesta del concertgebouw (patrimonio de Haitink) nos deslumbra y hace que la elección sea mas que satisfactoria, verdaderamente irresistible.

Get this for the wonderful Heldenleben........2003-08-25

The star of this Duo set is the Heldenleben, which alone is enough to justify the money spent. Hermann Krebbers plays the violin solos magnificently and Haitink gives a strongly expansive reading. However, the same expansive approach does not work too well in "Zarathustra" and "Tod", which have a certain Brucknerian stodginess. You will be left wishing for a bit more pace and brio in the playing. "Don Juan" and "Till Eulenspiegel" are excellently paced and played however. They are among the best performances I have ever heard.

Zarathustra said "nevermore".......2001-02-04

I thought it was impossible for any conductor or orchestra to screw up the introduction to "Also Sprach," but Haitink and the Concertgebouw prove it can be done. I will mainly focus on this introduction, as I am rarely able to listen to any more after hearing such an abomination right away. The orchestra leaves spaces in the passages wide enough to drive a truck through, and at the finale there is enough time to get up for some coffee between each chord. For anyone who saw 2001 and wanted a really good recording of the intro, plus some other good works, do not buy this album. It merely leaves you cold and angry that anyone would treat a piece of such majesty so. It's choppy, aimless, and infuriating. You can bet I will never again purchase any album that features the name Haitink.

Just onde for Jochum?.......2000-07-18

excelent music, lots of listening time and...why just one op. for Jochum?

Average customer rating:

Outstanding performances
Reviving a Lost Love
Not for beginners...
One of the very best of all EMI sets! The 2nd coming for all Straussians!
terrible, awful, hideous, lousy

Strauss: Orchestral Works

Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Dances | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Classical | Box Sets | Stores | Music

Debussy, Ravel: Orchestral Works
Bruckner: The Complete Symphonies
Sibelius: The Complete Symphonies & Tone Poems
Liszt: Works for Piano and Orchestra
Symphonies 1-3 / Piano Concerto 1-4 / Isle of Dead

ASIN: B000026D4K
Release Date: 1999-11-16

Tracks:

Horn Concerto No. 1 In E Flat Major, Op. 11: I: Allegro
Horn Concerto No. 1 In E Flat Major, Op. 11: II: Andante
Horn Concerto No. 1 In E Flat Major, Op. 11: III: Allegro
Horn Concerto No. 2 In E Flat Major: I: Allegro
Horn Concerto No. 2 In E Flat Major: II: Andante con moto
Horn Concerto No. 2 In E Flat Major: III: Rondo (Allegro molto)
Oboe Concerto In D Major: I: Allegro moderato
Oboe Concerto In D Major: II: Andante
Oboe Concerto In D Major: III: Vivace
Duett-Concertino: I; Allegro moderato
Duett-Concertino: II: Andante
Duett-Concertino: III: Rondo (Allegro ma non troppo)

Tracks:

Burleske
Parergon zur Sinfonia Domestica, Op. 73
Panathenaenzug, Op. 74

Tracks:

Till Eulenspiegels lustige Streiche, Op. 28
Don Juan, Op. 20
Ein Heldenleben, Op. 40: The Hero
Ein Heldenleben, Op. 40: The Hero's Adversaries
Ein Heldenleben, Op. 40: The Hero's Wife
Ein Heldenleben, Op. 40: Certainty Of Victory
Ein Heldenleben, Op. 40: The Hero's Battlefield
Ein Heldenleben, Op. 40: War Fanfares
Ein Heldenleben, Op. 40: The Hero's Work Of Peace
Ein Heldenleben, Op. 40: The Hero's Withdrawl From The World
Ein Heldenleben, Op. 40: Renunciation

Tracks:

Violin Concerto in D minor, Op. 8: I: Allegro
Violin Concerto in D minor, Op. 8: II: Lento
Violin Concerto in D minor, Op. 8: III: Rondo
Sinfonia Domestica, Op. 53: Bewegt - Thema I - Thema II - Thema III
Sinfonia Domestica, Op. 53: Scherzo (Munter)
Sinfonia Domestica, Op. 53: Wiegenlied - Massig langsam
Sinfonia Domestica, Op. 53: Adagio - (Langsam)
Sinfonia Domestica, Op. 53: Finale (Sehr lebhaft)

Tracks:

Also sprach Zarathustra, Op. 30
Tod und Verklarung, Op. 24
Der Rosenkavalier, Op. 59

Tracks:

Salome, Op. 54: Dance Of The Seven Veils
Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme - Suite, Op. 60: Overture
Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme - Suite, Op. 60: Jourdain - Minuet
Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme - Suite, Op. 60: The Fencing Master
Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme - Suite, Op. 60: Entrance and Dance of the Tailors
Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme - Suite, Op. 60: Minuet of Lully
Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme - Suite, Op. 60: Courante
Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme - Suite, Op. 60: Entry Of Cleonte
Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme - Suite, Op. 60: Intermezzo (Prelude To Act 2)
Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme - Suite, Op. 60: The Dinner
Schlagobers, Op. 70: Waltz
Josephslegende, Op. 63: Symphonic Fragment

Tracks:

Metamorphosen: Study For 23 Solo Strings
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: Night
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: Sunrise
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: The Ascent
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: Entering The Forest
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: Strolling By The Stream
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: By The Waterfall
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: Apparition
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: In Flowery Meadows
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: In A Mountain Pasture
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: Lost In The Thickets And Undergrowth
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: On The Glacier
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: Dangerous Moments
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: On The Summit
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: Vision
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: Mists Rise Up
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: The Sun Grows Dark
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: Elegy
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: Quiet Before The Storm
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: A Thunderstorm - Descent
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: Sunset
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: Conclusion
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: Night

Tracks:

Aus Italien, Op.16: I: Andante
Aus Italien, Op.16: II: Allegro molto con brio
Aus Italien, Op.16: III: Andantino
Aus Italien, Op.16: IV: Finale (Allegro molto)
Macbeth, Op. 23: Symphonic Poem

Tracks:

Don Quixote, Op. 35: Introduktion (Massiges Zeitmass)
Don Quixote, Op. 35: Massig (Don Quixote)
Don Quixote, Op. 35: Maggiore (Sancho Panza)
Don Quixote, Op. 35: Variation I: The adventure with the windmills
Don Quixote, Op. 35: Variation II: The battle with the sheep
Don Quixote, Op. 35: Variation III: Discourse between knight and squire
Don Quixote, Op. 35: Variation IV: The adventure with the pilgrims
Don Quixote, Op. 35: Variation V: The knight's vigil
Don Quixote, Op. 35: Variation VI: The meeting with Dulcinea
Don Quixote, Op. 35: Variation VII: The ride through the air
Don Quixote, Op. 35: Variation VIII: The voyage in the enchanted boat
Don Quixote, Op. 35: Variation IX: The combat with the two magicians
Don Quixote, Op. 35: Variation X: The defeat of Don Quixote
Don Quixote, Op. 35: Finale (Sehr ruhig)
Dance Suite from harpsichord pieces by Francois Couperin: I: Entree and stately round
Dance Suite from harpsichord pieces by Francois Couperin: II: Courante
Dance Suite from harpsichord pieces by Francois Couperin: III: Carillon
Dance Suite from harpsichord pieces by Francois Couperin: IV: Sarabande
Dance Suite from harpsichord pieces by Francois Couperin: V: Gavotte
Dance Suite from harpsichord pieces by Francois Couperin: VI: Tourbillon - Wirbeltanz
Dance Suite from harpsichord pieces by Francois Couperin: VIII: Allemande
Dance Suite from harpsichord pieces by Francois Couperin: VIII: March

Amazon.com essential recording

When it comes to the music of Richard Strauss, none of the world's great orchestras has a more distinguished tradition than the Staatskapelle Dresden. As pit orchestra of the Dresden Court Opera, the Staatskapelle was involved in the premieres, between 1901 and 1911, of Feuersnot, Salome, Elektra, and Der Rosenkavalier; later, with Karl Böhm conducting, its players participated in the premiere of Daphne. Most of Strauss's major tone poems have been in the Dresden orchestra's concert repertory since completion.

Back in the 1970s, EMI was able to capitalize on this association when it reunited the Staatskapelle with Rudolf Kempe--a native of Dresden, one of the master conductors of the 20th century, and an absolutely authoritative Straussian--for an integral recording of Strauss's orchestral works and concertos. The cycle was warmly received when it was originally released on LP, and it has become one of the treasures of the CD catalog since EMI reissued it whole, in three volumes, in 1992. With this latest repackaging, the whole impressive enterprise becomes available in one box.

Across the board, Kempe and the Dresdeners give magnificent readings of the music. Their Zarathustra is imposing and grand; their Heldenleben suitably heroic and quite smashingly played; their Till Eulenspiegel and Don Juan delightfully brisk, characterful, and exultant (the latter is dispatched in a blazing 16:06, and receives as ardent and exhilarating a reading as you are ever likely to encounter on disc). One of the finest of all the offerings is the account of Eine Alpensinfonie, a Kempe favorite and still a sonic knockout after nearly three decades.

The less familiar orchestral works are here, as well, including the early tone poems Aus Italien and Macbeth and the admittedly rather frothy ballet scores Josephslegende and Schlagobers. Of special value are the accounts of all Strauss's concerted works, from the early Violin Concerto (played by Ulf Hoelscher) and Burleske for piano and orchestra (with Malcolm Frager as soloist), through Don Quixote (featuring Paul Tortelier in magisterial form) and the two horn concertos, to the Oboe Concerto of 1946 and the final Duett-Concertino for clarinet and bassoon.

It's hard to imagine any label tackling such a project in today's bottom-line environment, or coming up with such definitive readings from today's performers. All the more reason to celebrate the appearance of this compendium. --Ted Libbey

Customer Reviews:

Outstanding performances.......2007-05-13

Rudolf Kempe's interpretations of Richard Strauss orchestral works (almost complete - one miss the orchestral songs) have been classic recordings since they first appeared on record in the early seventies (1970-75).

Especially fine are his interpretations of the core works, e.g., the symphonic poems Also sprach Zarathustra, Ein Heldenleben, Eine Alpensinfonie, Tod und Verklärung, Don Juan, Till Eulenspiegel, Don Quixote. All these are given first rate interpretations.

Furthermore, you get outstanding interpretations of Strauss' two horn concertos as well, with Peter Damm's superb horn playing, and an outstanding performance of Metamorphosen.

There is simply no rival to this collection of "core works of Richard Strauss".

In addition, this box collects also Strauss less interesting orchestral works - see Amazon's listing above. These minor works receive fine interpretations and performances too, but the main attraction is of course the core works above.

Sound quality is very fine - just excellent analogue stereo - and the orchestra, Staatskapelle Dresden, was one of the top orchestras in the world when these sessions were put on record.

Warmly recommended!

Reviving a Lost Love.......2006-08-07

The highest praise for any conductor must be that he rekindles enthusiasm and love for music that had been recently abandoned. In his autobiography, the conductor Felix Weingartner confesses that he had grown out of touch with Strauss' music; until hearing this set, I had felt the same, with only a few exceptions. But Rudolf Kempe and his really great Staatskapelle Dresden have won me back to Richard's orchestral music. So far, I have only heard part of the set: Zarathustra, Heldenleben, Till, Tod und Verklaerung, Der Buerger als Edelmann, Don Juan, Burleske, and Sinfonia Domestica, but my appetite is whet for more. Because of the refined, subtle, and yet intense conducting of Kempe, what used to strike me as cheap and taudry now strikes me as profound and moving. And the sheer musical skill of Strauss in thematic invention and counterpoint never ceases to amaze. Kempe was truly, in my not so humble opinion, the greatest conductor of the German classics following Furtwaengler; Karajan was empty and shallow by comparison. Kempe brings to this music the same passion and dignity that he brought to Beethoven, Brahms, Wagner, Schumann, and other of "his" composers. To make just one comparison, Reiner's Zarathustra, once hallowed by me as by most listeners, now sounds like overripe, rotting fruit as compared to the passionate yet thoughtful quality that Kempe brings to it. The Staatskapelle Dresden, by the way, sounds like the greatest orchestra in the world, only matched by the Berlin Philharmonic under Kempe or Furtwaengler, an orchestra that produces incidentally beautiful sounds but whose main goal is the projection and characterization of the music. No virtuosity for its own sake, just musicianship, musicianship, and more musicianship. EMI's sound is the very epitome of how to record an orchestra: Impactful, yet smooth and detailed, with natural perspectives and no spotlighting. This set belongs in every music lover's library.

Not for beginners..........2006-07-16

Most boxed sets have their ups and downs because no conductor is equally sympathetic to all of a composer's works. Kempe is no exception to this rule.

The masterpieces, Zarathustra, Heldenleben, and Quixote, are superb here. Kempe clarifies Strauss' complex textures in a way that other conductors like Karajan don't. Most of the time, I prefer to hear these works Karajan's way, but it's nice to hear what Kempe does with them, too. No one does Sinfonia Domestica the way Kempe does it...with such gentleness and humor. I listened to Reiner's recording for years, but I put it up for sale on amazon after I heard the Kempe. With all four of these large tone poems, Kempe and Karajan are all I really need.

The Don Juan is just about the best I've ever heard. It is so vital and exciting! Better than Karajan or any other I know. It is hard to imagine that Macbeth will ever be done better than this either. Macbeth is one of the reasons I own this set, but it's hardly one of Strauss' masterpieces. Speaking of non-masterpieces, I also treasure Kempe's recordings of Strauss' strange works for piano and orchestra. The Burleske has more poetry but less excitement than the classic Byron Janis/Reiner recording.

Kempe's recordings of the Horn Concertos are truly awful. Listen to the weak, watery tones of the first-chair horn player stepping into the solo spotlight. One listen to the mono recordings of Dennis Brain conducted by Sawallisch shows what is missing: bold, ringing tone and lots of excitement. If I only knew Kempe's recordings, I wouldn't even care about these pieces.

The bad news continues with the Oboe Concerto (weak oboist) and the charming Duet Concertino (weak bassoon).

Kempe misses the raucous fun that charges the best recordings of Till Eulenspiegel. This is a limp dishrag of a performance (until the last few minutes). At the very start of the performance, you will hear a familiar sound -- our weak horn player from the concertos playing a solo -- and you will long to stop the CD and reach for a different recording.

Metamorphosen is one of my favorite pieces by Strauss. Kempe, as is his wont, tries mightily to clarify Strauss' dense counterpoint here, and I appreciate the effort. I hear things here that I miss in other recordings. But this reading does not move me the way others have. Ormandy, to name just one. Death and Transfiguration is another one that Ormandy did better. Kempe is too fast at times! Really fast!

My greatest disappointment with this set is a recording that has been acclaimed by many as one of the greatest Strauss recordings ever made...Kempe's take on Eine Alpensinfonie. I have lived for many years with the Karajan recording, and I must say that Kempe misses many of the moments that I have come to treasure in Karajan's version. One example would be those 20 horns playing! Karajan makes this absolutely thrilling, which I'm sure is what Strauss intended. With Kempe, this telling touch by Strauss passes by unremarkably. The slow, quiet passage at the summit lacks magic. The apotheosis at the top of the mountain is certainly thrilling in Kempe's hands, but he misses too much on the way up. By the way, his cowbells sound almost comically bad. He certainly does bring out the beauty of the closing sections of the work, though.

If you are really serious about getting to know Strauss' music, this is a necessary purchase for the rarities that will probably never be done better like the Violin Concerto and the pieces I've already mentioned. If you just want Strauss' most famous works, this is a waste of your money (no matter how cheap it is!)because there's a lot of stuff here that either isn't very good or that you probably won't want to listen to that often. You would be better off buying Karajan's recordings (the 1970s recordings, not the remakes from the 80s) of the big three tone poems and then filling in the smaller ones as your interests dictate. Casual listeners will never need to hear pieces like Macbeth or the piano works that make this set so vital to Strauss-aholics like me!

One of the very best of all EMI sets! The 2nd coming for all Straussians!.......2006-02-10

The great Strauss tone poems soar to the highest level imaginable! With Kempe's genius, the lesser works become great! Kempe resists all temptation to be banal or bombastic. He directs the Staatskappele Dresden with a silken, burnished tone yet with restraint that has a radiant glow that never sacrifices the inherent capacity of the music to thrill, deeply move, or elevate to another plain. Each work played is in itself the guide: conductor and orchestra let the works deliver their own brilliance. The Don Juan and Dead and Transfiguration are soul piercing, along with Ein Heldenleben, and....... The Staatskapelle Dresden has always been an inspired ensemble and in Kempe's hands they are simply put, magnificent, delivering one thrilling performance after another. Like Wagner and Faith, you get Strauss or you don't. If you do get it, this set is beyond self recommendation; Buy this set before it disappears from the shelves. Classical Cd shelves these days have hidden boomerangs. One minute here, next minute.....boing going gone)...! The concert hall may never hear greater performances of Strauss' orchestral works as we hear on these nine disks. The sound is nothing short of a rich, full timber as Kempe leads then with inspired and interpretive genius . This all may sound over the edge but I don't think so and I don't think you will be disappointed. Strauss has been served in splendor by the Dresden musicians under Kempe's baton. [Although in an aside I must say that Raphael Fruhbeck de Burgos and the Tanglewood Music Center Orchestra's performance this past summer of Don Juan and the Rosenkavalier suite were superb.] Then I think of the BSO with Levine...., their Strauss should be something else. Bravo and kudos to all for bringing us this gift. Booklet is very well done with one exception. There is not a word in the booklet about Rudolf Kempe and/or the orchestra itself. 10 stars anyway!!

terrible, awful, hideous, lousy.......2005-04-22

The problem with the "classics" is that too many hacks have hacked them to pieces. My opinion of these recordings, for whatever it is worth, is that they simply do not do justice to Strauss's magnificent music.

There is a reason they are a "bargain". I would avoid this set.
Sometimes a boxed set is a good deal, but this one is not. I find the entire set unspeakably dull and literally unlistenable.

In any event, this is merely my opinion. The majority of the other reviewers think its terrific.

R. Strauss: Zarathustra; Don Juan; 4 Last Songs, etc.

Average customer rating:

WONDERFUL!!
Good remasterings of Karajan classics
Karajan's Greatest Strauss hits?`

R. Strauss: Zarathustra; Don Juan; 4 Last Songs, etc.

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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

Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Ravel, Debussy, Saint-Saëns: Orchestral Works
Famous Overtures
Brahms: 4 Symphonies
Dvorak: Symphonies Nos. 8 & 9; Smetana: The Moldau
Karajan Conducts Grieg & Sibelius

ASIN: B00008CLNW
Release Date: 2003-05-13

Tracks:

Introduction
Of The Backworldsmen
Of The Great Longing
Of Joys And Passions
The Song Of The Grave
Of Science And Learning
The Convalescent
The Dance-Song
Song Of The Night Wanderer
Tone Poem After Nikolaus Lenau
Fruhling - Anna Tomowa-Sintow
September - Anna Tomowa-Sintow
Beim Schlafengehen - Anna Tomowa-Sintow
Im Abendrot - Anna Tomowa-Sintow

Tracks:

Night
Sunrise
The Ascent
Entering The Forest
Wandering By The Brook
By The Waterfall
Apparition
Flowery Meadows
In The Mountain Pasture
On The Wrong Track Through Thickets And Undergrowth
On The Glacier
Precarious Moments
On The Summit
Vision
Rising Mists
The Sun Gradually Dims
Elegy
Calm Before The Storm
Thunderstorm, Descent
Sunset
Epilogue
Night
After An Old Picaresque Legend - In Rondeau Form
Tanz Der Sieben Schleier

Customer Reviews:

WONDERFUL!!.......2007-03-02

Strauss bajo la batuta de Karajan por lo general logro un sonido solido y preciso, este album doble no es la excepcion, la Filarmonica de Berlin inmaculada gracias al trabajo arduo del director austriaco, que por cierto en la actualidad pareciera que va perdiendo un poco ese sonido preciso y caracteristico.
Recomiendo este cd para quien quiera tener su primera aproximacion a Strauss, excelente interpretacion y muy buena remasterizacion.
VERY GOOD!!!

Good remasterings of Karajan classics.......2006-01-20

Half of this bargain two-fer comes from the Sevenites (Also Sprach Zarathustra, Don Juan, Till Eulespiegel), and the other half from the Eighties (Four Last Songs, Alpine Sym.). The significance has to do with recorded sound. The later digital recordings have sounded nasty and shrill but are now much better thanks to the current remastering. The earlier analog ones sound increidbly good, particularly the Zarathustra. Critics tend to prfer Karajan's version of the Four Last Songs with Gundula Janowitz, but that recording isn't in as good sound as this one, and Tomova-Simtov lets us hear the poetry more clearly. I am happy to own both and even happier that the early digital-era problems have been solved.

Karajan's Greatest Strauss hits?`.......2004-10-22

This recoupling of Strauss masterpieces is probaby Herbert von Karajan's greatest existing CD set of Richard Strauss, for whose music he was an unquestioned master. This set is headlined by Karjan's remarkable 1974 performance of "Also Sprach Zarathustra" and his top of the line digital recording of "Eine Alpensinfonie" from 1981. It includes a number of popular Strauss tone poems and Karajan's elegant collaboration with Anna Tomowa-Sintow of the Four Last Songs.

The remastering on this set is somewhat uneven. "Also Sprach Zarathustra" sounds about the same here as it did on the DG Strauss Panorama two-CD set where it last appeared. The Alpine Symphony is the 21-track version from the Karajan Gold CD and is a major improvement over the earlier single track and 11 track versions DG distributed. The performance in this set sounded wonderful on my home stereo.

I paid an Amazon.com vendor about $9 for this set new, making it an outstanding bargain box of most of Karajan's best Strauss recordings. His EMI "Ein Heldenleben" is not included, of course. Still, this set is a major improvement of the DG Strauss Panorama that included Karajan's 1959 recording of "Ein Heldenleben".

With the addition of Karajan's recordings of "Don Juan", "Til Eulenspiegel" and Salome's "Dance of the Seven Veils", this now becomes the preferred collection of Strauss orchestral music by this conductor.

The Royal Edition, No. 84 of 100: Richard Strauss

Average customer rating:

Awesome - one of the best "Zarathustra" I've ever heard!!!

The Royal Edition, No. 84 of 100: Richard Strauss

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

The Royal Edition, No. 83 of 100: Richard Strauss
The Royal Edition, No. 66 Of 100: Maurice Ravel
Brahms: Symphony No. 4; Academic Festival Overture; Tragic Overture (Bernstein: The Royal Edition)
Beethoven: Symphonies 4 & 5; Egmont Overture - Bernstein Royal Edition
Mahler: Symphonies Nos. 7, 9, 10 (Adagio)

ASIN: B0000027NU
Release Date: 1993-09-21

Tracks:

Also sprach Zarathustra Op. 30: Introduction
Also sprach Zarathustra Op. 30: Of The Backworldsmen
Also sprach Zarathustra Op. 30: Of The Great Longing
Also sprach Zarathustra Op. 30: Of Joys And Passions
Also sprach Zarathustra Op. 30: The Song Of The Grave
Also sprach Zarathustra Op. 30: Of Science And Learning
Also sprach Zarathustra Op. 30: The Convalescent
Also sprach Zarathustra Op. 30: Ziemlich langsam - schnell
Also sprach Zarathustra Op. 30: The Dance Song
Also sprach Zarathustra Op. 30: Song Of The Night Wanderer
Also sprach Zarathustra Op. 30: Langsam
Till Eulenspiegels lustige Streiche, Op. 28
Don Juan, Op. 20 (Tone Poem After Nikolaus Lenau)

Customer Reviews:

Awesome - one of the best "Zarathustra" I've ever heard!!!.......2003-08-05

Whether it's the famous catchy fanfare alone, or the entire symphonic poem of the famous "Thus Spoke Zarathustra", I really love this one. Lenny did a pretty great job with this one. I've heard other recordings of the same pieces, including Ormandy and Karajan, but I still spend time listening to Bernstein's recording.

The 2nd track (Of the Backworldsmen), as Bernstein always wanted to be, really exposed the passion and sense of being well-up in people's eyes. Everytime I heard it, really bring me to tears.

In the 9th track (Dance Song), and the conclusion (Langsam) the solo violinist really did great. It was very sensual and was as if it was really singing out loud.

But it is the fanfare itself which I was most impressed of the piece. The brass was a bit "showy" but blaring enough, and the timpani sounded just fine and "gave weight". And the summit of the fanfare always gives me goosebumps. It was definitely one of the best 2001 Fanfare I've ever heard, lined up with Previn on Telarc.

"Don Juan" and "Till Eulenspiegel" was overall fine too. Lenny was pretty comic enough to gave an excellent touch for "Till Eulenspiegel" far charming than Bohm's or Karajan's performance, but I recommend the two for "Don Juan."

Average customer rating:

Solti cracks the whip
Good, but..
A problematic set
Awesome performances
if you like the big sound, this CD is hard to beat

Richard Strauss Concert

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Strauss: Also Sprach Zarathustra, Don Juan / Karajan
Haydn: The London Symphonies, Vol. 2
Strauss: Four Last Songs / Karajan, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
Tchaikovsky Symphonic Poems / Manfred Symphony
Richard Strauss : Also Sprach Zarathustra / Previn, Vienna PO

ASIN: B00000422Q
Release Date: 1994-10-11

Tracks:

Ein Heldenleben, Op. 40: Der Held - The Hero
Ein Heldenleben, Op. 40: Des Helden Widersacher - The Hero's Enemies
Ein Heldenleben, Op. 40: Des Helden Gefahrtin - The Hero's Companion
Ein Heldenleben, Op. 40: Des Helden Walstatt - The Hero's Deeds Of War
Ein Heldenleben, Op. 40: Des Helden Friedenswerke - The Hero's Works Of Peace
Ein Heldenlbean, Op. 40: Des Helden Weltflucht und Vollendung - The Hero's Retirement From The World
Also sprach Zarathustra, Op. 30: Einleitung - Introduction
Also sprach Zarathustra, Op. 30: Von den Hinterweltlern - Of The Backworldsmen
Also sprach Zarathustra, Op. 30: Von der grossen Sehnsucht - Of The Great Longing
Also sprach Zarathustra, Op. 30: Von den Freuden - und Leidenschaften - O Joys And Passions
Also sprach Zarathustra, Op.30: Das Grablied - Dirge
Also sprach Zarathustra, Op. 30: Von der Wissenschaft - Of Science
Also sprach Zarathustra, Op. 30: Der Genesende - The Convalescent
Also sprach Zarathustra, Op. 30: Das Tanzlied - Dance Song
Also sprach Zarathustra, Op. 30: Nachtwandlerlied - Night-Wanderer's Song

Tracks:

Don Juan, Op. 20
Till Eulenspiegles lustige Streiche, Op. 28
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: Nacht - Night
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: Sonnenaufgang - Sunrise
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: Der Ansteig - The Ascent
Ein Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: Eintritt in den Wald - Entry Into The Wood - Wanderung neben dem Bach - Wandering By The Brook
Ein Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: Am Wasserfall - At The Waterfall
Ein Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: Erscheinung - Apparitioin
Ein Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: Auf blumigen Wiesen - On Flowering Meadows
Ein Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: Aurf dem Alm - On Alpine Pasture
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: Durch Dickicht und Gestrupp auf Irrwegen
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: Auf dem Gletscher - On The Glacier
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: Gefahrvolle Augenblicke - Dangerous Moments - Auf dem Gipfel - On The Summit
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: Vision
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: Nebel steigne auf - Mists Rise
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: Die Sonne verdustert sich allmahlich - The Sun IS Gradually Obscured
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: Elegie - Elegy
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: Stille vor dem Sturm - Calm Before The Storm
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: Gewitter nd Sturm Abstieg - Thunder And Tempest, Descent
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: Sonnenuntergang - Sunset
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: Ausklang - Fading Tones
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64: Nacht - Night

Customer Reviews:

Solti cracks the whip.......2005-09-18

These were spectacular readings sonically in their day, although they sound shrill and wiry on this CD set...I don't know what hapened here. As interpretations, it's Solti in high gear all the way, with lots of drive but no refinement or even a bit of relaxation here and there. Breathless, dynamic readings for Solti fans only.

Good, but.........2001-08-07

Most of the performances on this CD are very exciting and satisfying from a musical standpoint. The CSO in the 70's combined with Solti produce energy in their readings that in my experience is rare either on recording or in live performance. It is worth it to point out that in the recording of Till, there is a huge blunder by the orchestra: in the passage leading up to the final death scene of the hero, a passage of very fast and difficult notes for the players, the orchestra actually gets lost, and for several bars, only a true cacophony of sound is heard. In a world of "perfect" recordings where every note is corrected, sometimes at the expense the musical integrity, such a passage would typically have been replaced with another take. However, the performers seem to have achieved rare heights of excitement, and aparently prefered to hear the music performed with enthusiasm even with errors rather than a conservative and unremarkable reading. Ultimately there is no single definitive recording of a piece, and we seek work of very high musical AND technical value. In the case of this recording, it's worth owning simply to hear performances of a rare kind.

A problematic set.......2000-07-20

Yes, Solti's Ein Heldenleben is powerful indeed and has merit on all fronts: tempo, power, sound...and the Zarathustra ranks up there as well...but I must disagree with Solti's interpretation of the Alpensinfonie. I was disturbed by the rushed approach, especially through some of the most beautiful legato passages and with his use of such an intrusive wind machine. The whiny sound of that machine really put me off, especially when it drowned out the orchestra. It didn't have all the punch and sublimnity that I know lies in this work, and for that, I would whole-heartedly recommend the Karajan on DG available in the Karajan Gold series sounding as sumptuous as ever. Solti for me has produced some of the most amazing recordings of the lp era (Rheingold, Gotterdammerung, Salome, Elektra, etc) but I find much of his work "streaky." When he is on, he is fantastic. When he is rushed and "off", it is a huge disappointment.

This set has its merits. Be advised that these readings are quirky, and should not be taken as definitive. There is a whole world of other recordings out there that would serve the music scores better. I recommed this set as a complement to other recordings, just to give an idea of what Sotli was (or was not) able to do with the various scores and different orchestras.

The price is a huge bonus for this set.

Awesome performances.......2000-07-13

I agree with the last reviewer: the recording of Till, Zaratustra and Don Juan are excellent, as usual for any CSO/Solti work. The sound is magnificent and I've hardly heard a better performance of Till. Even more surprising and impressive is the Alpinesinfonie by the Bavarian Rudfunk. I think this performance is much better than the Karajan/BPO one.

if you like the big sound, this CD is hard to beat.......2000-06-23

Most potential buyers of this CD will want to hear the Heldenleben with the VPO and the Zarathustra, Don Juan and Till with the CSO. It might be fair to say the most interesting item of all in this collection would be the Alpensinfonie done with the Bavarian RSO in the Herkulessaal in Munich. All of the above were originally recorded in the 1970s and this last item might have the best recording quality. It would be hard to create more amplitude than this, and the playing is as distinguished as that afforded under the direction of Richard Strauss himself when he recorded it in the 1940s with the same orchestra. All the items show Solti at his extrovert best, with excellent playing, and for many these performances are close to definitive, depending upon one's taste. I think they can be recommended alongside - but not in preference to - Karajan and Kempe, in the same period. Very appropriate packaging and presentation with fine documentation. At bargain price, this can be strongly recommended.

Lorin Maazel - Richard Strauss / Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra

Average customer rating:

Kempe Vs. Maazel is closer than one would think
Very Good But Not Great Richard Strauss from Maazel
boring and over rated
Overall, the recordings well worth it!

Lorin Maazel - Richard Strauss / Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra
Richard Strauss , Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra , and Lorin Maazel
Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Classical | Box Sets | Stores | Music

Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00000IYO1
Release Date: 1999-05-18

Tracks:

Sinfonia Domestica - Thema I (Bewegt)
Sinfonia Domestica - Thema II (Sehr lebhaft)
Sinfonia Domestica - Thema III (Ruhig)
Sinfonia Domestica - Scherzo (Munter)
Sinfonia Domestica - Massig langsam (Wiegenlied)
Sinfonia Domestica - Adagio (Langsam)
Sinfonia Domestica - Finale (Sehr lebhaft)
Tod und Verklarung (Death and Transfiguration)
Thus Spake Zarathustra, Op.30: Night Wanderer's Song
Rosenkavalier Ste, Op.59
Don Juan, Op.20

Tracks:

Also sprach Zarathustra (Thus Spake Zarathustra) - Einleitung (Introduction)
Zarathustra - Von den Hinterweltlern (Of the People of the Unseen World)
Zarathustra - Von der grossen Sehnsucht (Of the Great Longing)
Zarathustra - Von den Freuden und Leidenschaften (Of Joys and Passions)
Zarathustra - Das Grablied (Dirge)
Zarathustra - Von der Wissenschaft (Of Science)
Zarathustra - Der Genesende (The Convalescent)
Zarathustra - Das Tanzlied (Dance Song)
Zarathustra - Das Nachtwandlerlied (Night Wanderer's Song)
Rosenkavalier Suite
Don Juan

Tracks:

Till Eulenspiegels lustige Steiche (Till Eulenspiegel's Merry Pranks)
Ein Heldenleben (A Hero's Life) - Der Held (The Hero)
Heldenleben - Des Helden Widersacher (The Hero's Adversary)
Heldenleben - Des Helden Gefahrtin (The Hero's Companion)
Heldenleben - Des Helden Walstatt (The Hero's Battlefield)
Heldenleben - Des Helden Friedenswerke (The Hero's Works of Peace)
Heldenleben - Des Helden Weltflucht und Vollendung (The Hero's Flight from Reality and Fulfillment)

Tracks:

Eine Alpensinfonie (An Alpine Symphony) - Nacht (Night)
Alpensinfonie - Sonnenaufgang (Sunrise)
Alpensinfonie - Der Anstieg (Ascent)
Alpensinfonie - Eintritt in den Wald (Entrance into the Forest)
Alpensinfonie - Wanderung neben dem Bache (Walking by the Brook)
Alpensinfonie - Am Wasserfall (At the Waterfall)
Alpensinfonie - Erscheinung (Vision)
Alpensinfonie - Auf blumige Wiesen (To flowery Meadows)
Alpensinfonie - Auf der Alm (At the Alpine Meadow)
Alpensinfonie - Durch Dickicht und Gestrupp auf Irrwegen (Wandering through Thicket and Undergrowth)
Alpensinfonie - Auf dem Gletscher - On the Glacier
Alpensinfonie - Gefahrvolle Augenblicke (Dangerous Moments)
Alpensinfonie - Auf dem Gipfel (At the Summit)
Alpensinfonie - Vision
Alpensinfonie - Nebel steigen auf (Rising Mist)
Alpensinfonie - Die Sonne (The Sun)
Alpensinfonie - Elegie (Elegy)
Alpensinfonie - Stille vor dem Sturm (Calm before the Storm)
Alpensinfonie - Gewitter und Sturm, Abstieg (Thunderstorm, Descent)
Alpensinfonie - Sonnenuntergang (Sunset)
Alpensinfonie - Ausklang (Conclusion)
Alpensinfonie - Nacht (Night)
Macbeth - Allegro, un poco maestoso; Presto
Macbeth - Moderato maestoso
Macbeth - Allegro, un poco maestoso

Amazon.com

Richard Strauss's gift for evocative musical description was uncanny, to the point where it was joked he could set even a grocery list or a pint of beer to music. In fact, his various tone poems--the form with which he first gained fame as a composer--actually develop an orchestral vocabulary to depict topics ranging from Nietzsche's Superman to a fierce storm on the Alps and a day in the life of a nuclear family. This set gathers Lorin Maazel's interpretations from the last few years (with perhaps the greatest tone poem of the whole canon, Don Quixote, still to come in a planned future recording). Maazel--currently music director of the Orchestra of the Bavarian Radio, an ensemble of high-powered soloists modeled on Toscanini's famous NBC orchestra--is returning to some of these works for his third take, and his vision seems to have clarified in particular for the vistas of Ein Heldenleben and the Alpine Symphony as for the idealistic poetry of Death and Transfiguration and Don Juan.

While these accounts don't achieve the degree of narrative thrust of Kempe's indispensable versions or the astonishing ensemble opulence of Karajan's Strauss, Maazel highlights his orchestra's solo prowess at every possible moment, and textures are often given a marvelous clarity. The feeling such technical perfection imparts can be distant, as in what should be the most fevered passages of Zarathustra. But Maazel brings a loving touch to the much-dismissed Domestic Symphony as well as conviction to the early Macbeth. And the orchestra's wizardry--particularly the winds--gives much pleasure, especially in the deftly humored account here of Till Eulenspiegel. Both Zarathustra and the Sinfonia Domestica are still available as single-CD issues, as well. --Thomas May

Customer Reviews:

Kempe Vs. Maazel is closer than one would think.......2005-10-02

There are two competing sets at mid-to-budget price of the major orchestral works of Richard Strauss, this RCA set and the much more complete one from Kempe on EMI. Although the Kempe has been a darling of critics for decades, he wasn't in truth a major interpreter of these works, just a solid, unintrusive Kapellmeister type. None of his readings, with the possible exception of Don Quixote with Paul Tortelier as collo soloist, would rank as a first choce, but none are eccentric, either. Kempe's specialty was to find delicacy and refinement in works that often come off blantantly.

With Maazel we have a very intrusive interpreter who is ocnstantly fiddling with the details of Strauss's writing and who is apt at any moment to deliver a little shock by turning a phrase unexpectedly. At first I found this intrusiveness irritating, but Maazel is quite a technician. There is no doubt that he has ideas, agree with them or not. His Bavarian forces sound to me about as virtuosic as the Dresden Staatskepelle for Kempe. Maazel's set is in much better sound than Kempe's, demonstration quality, in fact. That counts for a lot in these splashy works. If only Maazel had given his musicians free rein to go over the top in climaxes, but the orgiastic isn't his style; being in total control is.

In the end, as the owner of both sets, I find about equl rewards in them, even though critics greatly favor the Kempe, a choice that doesn't seem completely valid to me unless you happen to want all the esoterica of Strauss's output.

Very Good But Not Great Richard Strauss from Maazel.......2002-12-28

Perhaps I'm a bit jaded, having heard exceptional accounts of some of Strauss's tone poems from the likes of Karajan and Sawallisch, but Maazel's Strauss tone poem cycle is simply a very well recorded, brilliantly performed set that offers few new insightful thoughts into either Strauss's musical intentions or Maazel's. Maazel does a great job emphasizing the rich orchestral textures of Strauss's scores, but rarely is it played with much conviction and warmth; notable exceptions include brilliant performances of Ein Alpensinfonie - although among the best, I still prefer Solti's glistening account with the Bavarian Radio Symphony - and Macbeth. However, fans of the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra will not be disappointed by their exquisite playing that is just as splendid as their peers in Berlin and Vienna. Yet if you are interested in profound, riveting accounts of Strauss's scores, I recommend listening to recordings by Previn and the Vienna Philharmonic, and Blomstedt and the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra, as well as those from Sawallisch and Karajan.

boring and over rated.......2000-05-11

I am a Lorin Maazel fan. I had no idea, however, that his R. Strauss tempi and balances were so boring. I was completely let down by these recordings. the only bonus was the recording technology they chose to employ, but overall, it was a total waist of time and money.

Overall, the recordings well worth it!.......1999-12-17

Lorin Maazel is not a neurotic conductor (nor was Richard Strauss the composer). Strauss had a tremendous gift of imaginative invention, vividness, and portrayal of the subjects and the heroes behind his symphonic poems. There's no doubt that Strauss took the ideas of Franz Liszt (the father of symphonic poems) and developed the genre further.

Lorin Maazel and the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra managed to achieve the balance in their performances and they sound as if they played the works out of admiration rather than anything else. Vividness, excitement, and commitment are all present in these recordings, especially of Eine Alpinesinfonie.

However, Strauss, though not a neurotic, was a composer of drama. Therefore, performances with drama will tend bring out more effectively the vividness, imaginative, and the descriptive ever so characteristic aspects of Strauss symphonic poems (and his operas). Maazel and the Bavarian were able to bring out those aspects of Strauss' works to some effectiveness. Their main drawback included too much emphasis on balance and not much on daringness. The climax of Death and Transfiguration, for example lacks the element of surprise Rudolf Kempe or Herbert von Karajan were able to portray. It is as if Maazel's performance with the Bavarian, though distinguished, conscientously tried to ignore the ruggedness so much a part of Strauss' tone poems (such as Ein Heldenlaben). Forget the meticulousness for a while, just tell us the story that will keep us awake and excited.

This set (or separate CDs previously issued) is recommendable. But if you're the one that needs to feel compelled and/or pumped up, go for the recordings of Herbert von Karajan or Rudolf Kempe, or even Sir George Solti (the best conductor of Strauss' operas by the way!).

Strauss: Also sprach Zarathustra; Till Eulenspiegel lustige Streiche; Don Juan
Average customer rating:

Best for less

Strauss: Also sprach Zarathustra; Till Eulenspiegel lustige Streiche; Don Juan

Manufacturer: Polygram Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

All Works by Strauss | Strauss, Richard | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
Tone Poems | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
Solti, Sir Georg | ( S ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0000041Y4
Release Date: 1991-05-10

Customer Reviews:

Best for less.......2005-02-24

When I see the name Sir Charles Mackerras on a CD, I am pretty darn sure that it is almost certain to be a quality performance. Sir Charles is simply one of the best conductors alive. The Royal Philharmonic has become one of the world's greatest orchestras in the last two decades. Not too long ago, they produced a series of recordings on their own label at very low prices. I have bought many of them. This CD I bought at Big Lots for only 3 dollars. It is easily worth four times that much. The performances are extremely well played and the interpretations are prime Mackerras. What that means is they are taut, with gorgeous phrasing and plenty of excitement. The sound is much better than many full-priced labels. If you see any of these recordings in clearance racks, discount stores or on E-Bay, don't let the low price fool you. They are outstanding.

Average customer rating:

I can't say enough good about this release

Karl Böhm Conducts Mozart and Strauss

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Minuets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Requiems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Mozart: The Wind Concertos, Serenades
Leonard Bernstein: The 1953 American Decca Recordings
Karl Richter: A Universal Musician
Troubadour of the Piano
Decca Recordings 1941-1972, Vol 2

ASIN: B0009ONYQ4
Release Date: 2005-09-13

Tracks:

I. Introitus, Requiem
II. Kyrie
III. Sequenz. No. 1. Dies Irae
III. Sequenz. No. 2. Tuba Mirum
III. Sequenz. No. 3. Rex Tremendae
III. Sequenz. No. 4. Recordare
III. Sequenz. No. 5. Confutatis
III. Sequenz. No. 6. Lacrimosa
IV. Offertorium. No. 1. Domine Jesu
IV. Offertorium. No. 2. Hostias
V. Sanctus
VI. Benedictus
VII. Agnus Dei
VIII. Communio. Lux Aeterna
1. Molto Presto
2. Andante
3. Allegro
1. Allegro Spiritoso
2. Andante
3. Tempo Primo

Tracks:

1. Allegro Vivace
2. Andante Di Molto Pito Allegretto
3. Menuett (K. 409)
4. Finale: Allegro Vivace
1. Adagio - Allegro Spiritoso
2. Andante
3. Menuetto - Trio
4. Presto
1. Adagio - Allegro
2. Andante
3. Presto

Tracks:

1. Adagio - Allegro
2. Andante Con Moto
3. Menuetto: Allegretto - Trio
4. Finale: Allegro
1. Molto allegro
2. Andante
3. Menuetto: Allegretto - Trio
4. Allegro Assai
1. Allegro Vivace
2. Andante Cantabile
3. Menuetto: Allegretto - Trio
4. Molto Allegro

Tracks:

1. Allegro
2. Romance: Andante Con Moto
3. Menuetto. Allegretto - Trio
4. Finale. Allegro
1. Marcia: Maestoso
2. Menuetto
3. Rondeau
Euryanthe
Oberon
Preciosa, Op. 78
Peter Schmoll Und Seine Nachbarn

Tracks:

Don Juan, Op. 20
Till Eulenspiegels lustige Streiche
The Hero
The Hero's Adversaries
The Hero's Companion
The Hero's Battlefield
The Hero's Works of Peace
The Hero's Retirement From The World Of Fulfilment

Tracks:

Night - Sunrise
The Ascent
Entering The Wood
Wandering By The Brook
Flowery Meadows
Summit
The Sun Gradually Dims
Calm Before The Storm
Thunderstorm, Descent
Sunset
Epilogue - Night
Tone Poem For Large Orchestra

Tracks:

Main Title - Berliner Philharmoniker
Introduction - Berliner Philharmoniker
Of The Backworldsmen - Berliner Philharmoniker
Of The Great Longing - Berliner Philharmoniker
Of Joys And Passions - Berliner Philharmoniker
The Song Of The Grave - Berliner Philharmoniker
The Convalescent - Berliner Philharmoniker
The Dance-Song - Berliner Philharmoniker
Song Of The Night Wanderer - Berliner Philharmoniker
I. Beim Schlafengehen - Lisa Della Casa
II. September - Lisa Della Casa
III. Fruhling - Lisa Della Casa
IV. Im Abendrot - Lisa Della Casa

Tracks:

Early Years In Graz - Karl Bohm
First Conducting Experiences - Karl Bohm
Munich, Darmstadt And Alban Berg - Karl Bohm
Dresden, Richard Strauss And Mozart - Karl Bohm
Strauss As Conductor And Composer - Karl Bohm
Interlude In Vienna - Karl Bohm
Mozart's Genius - Karl Bohm
The Vienna State Opera Destroyed And Rebuilt - Karl Bohm

Customer Reviews:

I can't say enough good about this release.......2005-10-23

I can't say enough good about this release! DG/Universal have released some great mono recordings from the 1950s + some later Stereo issues of Karl Bohm (1894-1981) with the Vienna Philharmonic, Dresden State Orchestra, and Berlin Philharmonic, some which have never been on CD, or have been out of the catalog for years.

The Richard Strauss discs: about 50% of this set, have been released recently in a 3 CD Strauss box of Bohm/Dresden State Orchestra, and Berlin Philharmonic (DG, budget priced), but discs 1-4: Mozart and Weber, have not.

The Mozart "Requiem" with the Vienna Symphony, is from 1956 and is superb: taut, muscular, dramatic, and in very fine mono sound. Tempos are faster and more exciting than in Bohm's 1970 remake with the Vienna Philharmonic (DG). The 1956 "Requiem" was originally released on Philips LP, and for a short time, on Philips CD. The accompanying Symphonies 26 and 32 are very well played, with the Concertgebouw Orchestra.

The Mozart Symphonies are all excellent: 34 (with the added Minuet movement many conductors leave out), 35 and 38, all with the Vienna Philharmonic, originally Decca recordings, in mid 1950s mono sound. They share the same high marks and good qualities I give to Bohm's DG stereo Berlin Philharmonic Mozart cycle from the 1960s. The playing is warm and affectionate, tempos never too fast or slow: everything is just right. Karl Bohm was one excellent Mozart conductor, and the same can be said for Symphonies 39, 40, and 41 with the Concertgebouw Orchestra.

While the Berlin Philharmonic "Eine Kleine Nachtmusik" might not sound as good as Bohm's 1976 Vienna Philharmonic recording (DG, in several different reissues), it is very good, and affectionate. And I enjoyed the four Weber Overtures, including the rarely heard "Abu Hassan", "Euryanthe" and "Oberon" immensely - recorded in 1951 with the Dresden State Orchestra (Bohm's own orchestra from 1934-43) in very good mono sound.

Nothing need be said in detail about the Strauss works. You may know Bohm and Richard Strauss (1864-1949) became close friends in the early 1930s, and Strauss thought very highly of his younger colleague. Strauss's 1944 opera "Daphne" is dedicated to Karl Bohm. Bohm recorded much of Strauss's music: both orchestral (here) and opera, for DG, Decca, and other labels later on in his career.

Disc 8 is narration by Bohm, in German, recorded in 1960, "A Life re-told" and it is very interesting. There is a rough English translation in the accompanying text booklet, of Bohm's words telling about his life up to 1960 and career as a conductor. I highly recommend this set to anyone interested in great conducting, or in Karl Bohm's recordings.

Music Track:

Music Track

music track

Recommended Music:

Black Leather Mojo [Import]

Handel: Rodelinde

Eben - Korte - Kalabis: Compositions for Violin and Piano

Music: Annual 2003 [Import]

Guitar Concepts [Enhanced]

Havin' a 60's Hootenanny

Getting to know Myself

Delibes: Coppelia Suite/Sylvia Suite/Gounod: Faust Ballet Music

Picture in a Frame

Jazz at Massey Hall, Vol. 2 [Live]

How I Quit Smoking

Habs el Nisa [Import]

Funk Soul Classics: the Ultimate 80's Soul & Funk Revival [Import]

Spanish Dances

Angel Milk