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RE: Recordings of Tristan und Isolde

Posted by learsfool (A) on October 23, 2016 at 13:38:42

In Reply to: Recordings of Tristan und Isolde posted by George S. Roland on October 22, 2016 at 20:14:33:

Interesting discussion here of the Tristan recordings. One aspect that needs a little more attention is the orchestra, especially in Wagner. There are complaints about the balance sometimes on the Solti recording, and he himself wanted to redo it later in his career, as he wanted to change his interpretation in places, especially the second and third acts. However, despite some issues, this is one of the finest played recordings by the orchestra, which has just as important a role in Wagner as any of the principals. In this way, it realizes Wagner's intention more than some of the others mentioned. Culshaw also fixed some of the balance issues in their later Wagner recordings.

The knock on the Bohm one with Nilsson singing Isolde is that the orchestra is much shabbier. Many people think this is Nilsson's better performance, though, and she was a great Isolde.

The Furtwangler one is great, and yes, it did have Dennis Brain leading the horn section. For you fans of older recordings, you can find records with Flagstad and Melchior singing some of the duets. They were great together. The orchestra sounds terrible on many of these, however.

There are some other "live" Bayreuth recordings by both Furtwangler and Karajan that are worth seeking out.

I have the Kleiber recording, and although I love Margaret Price in general, I think the over-miking here in an attempt to make her voice heavier doesn't quite work. I am also not the biggest fan of Kollo. The orchestra, however, sounds quite good.

As far as current Tristan's go, I would like to put in a good word for Jay Hunter Morris, who some of you may have heard as Met's latest Siegfried. He is also very good as Tristan - I have heard him live doing it. As far as I know he has not recorded it yet, though.

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Kimber Kable

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