Wagner: Opera Arias and Duets

"Johohoe! Johohoe!" in mono - WHY?!

This is essentially a reprise of Testament SBT 1201, with "Mild und leise" from Tristan und Isolde as a bonus, BUT with "Johohoe! Johohoe!" from Der fliegende Holländer Act II in mono (it's in glorious stereo on the Testament disc - orchestra and chorus sound comparatively congested in mono). The transfer is at a higher level on EMI GROC and there is less tape hiss. Other than that it's a toss-up as to which sounds better. Since "Mild und leise" may be the weak link here anyhow, I would recommend shelling out the extra dough and buy the Testament release. Having said that, the main two items (the must-have items, so to speak) "Wie aus der Ferne" from Der Fliegende Holländer Act II, and Scene 3 from Die Walküre Act III sound great in either release.

Greetings from Switzerland, David. October 25, 2008

Two legends in a famous '50s Wagner recital

All Wagner lovers will swoon. In 1958 the incomparable Birgit Nilsson was a more tender interpreter than she would become even a few years on, and Hans Hotter's voice, though it still shows some unsteadiness at loudest volume, was at the height of warmth and expressivity. When the two singers collaborated on the main items here -- the love duet from Fliegende Hollander and the whole of Act 3, scene 3 from Die Walkure -- a classic recording was created. Now we have it reissued in exemplary sound, leaving vast admiration in its wake touched with melancholy that we will never hear its like again.

On her own Nilsson sings three popular excerpts: Elisabeth's Greeting from Tannhauser, Senta's Ballade from Fliegende Hollander, Elsa's Dream from Lohengrin, and the Liebestod from Tristan. In her younger, pre-Brunnhilde days I believe she sang all three roles onstage. Needless to say, she makes glorious sounds and attacks every line with authority. (Unless my ears deceive me, Senta's aria is in mono; the rest is obviously in stereo.)

Ecstasy may be the automatic response to this reissue, but I wish that Otto Klemperer had been on the podium, a true master in Wagner rather than the limp, marginally serviceable Leopold Ludwig. The only reason I can think of for EMI keeping this CD out of circulation for so long is him.
March 19, 2008

Desert Island Disc

I am always sceptical of EMI's 'Great Recordings of the Century' series. I dislike the way old recordings are repackaged etc; does the buying public really need this. I really don't like the tinkering around with old artwork that more often than not is really beautiful in its original form. I am often suspicious that EMI are simply trying to market old second rate recordings. I continue to be dubious about so-called remastering of recordings!

However in the case of this recording EMI have scored a triumph. This is truly a desert island recording that was long unavailable until the Testament label released it. And now EMI have resurrected it. There are very interesting notes included about how Walter Legge never managed to pull off his 'Ring' project, all the pity when we hear his 'Die Walkure' Act III Scene 3 here where Brunnhilde pleads with Wotan for pity before being put to sleep on her rock surrounded by a ring of fire. The combination of an electric Philharmonia Orchestra with Hotter and Nilsson both in incredible form make this a stunning insight into what could have been the definitive Ring. March 16, 2008

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