Orchestral Music (Bruno Walter: The Edition)

Wagner (Composer), Walter (Conductor), Columbia Symphony Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Columbia Symphony Orchestra
• Conductor: Walter
• Composer: Wagner
• Audio CD (January 24, 1995)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B000002A7M
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #161,174 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Siegfried Idyll, for small orchestra in E major, WWV 103: Bruno Walter Rehearses the Siegfried Idyll

2. Siegfried Idyll, for small orchestra in E major, WWV 103

3. Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, opera, WWV 96: Vorspiel zum I. Aufzug

Disc: 2

1. Der fliegende Holländer (The Flying Dutchman), opera, WWV 63: Ouvertüre

2. Lohengrin, opera, WWV 75: Vorspiel zum I. Aufzug

3. Parsifal, opera, WWV 111: Vorspiel zum I. Aufzug

4. Parsifal, opera, WWV 111: Karfreitagszauber

5. Tannhäuser, opera, WWV 70: Ouvertüre & Bacchanale (Venusberg)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Bruno Walter's recording of the Siegfried Idyll with the Columbia Symphony Orchestra is radiantly beautiful--one of the most affecting of all this great conductor's statements. The horns wobble and nick a couple of notes, the ensemble isn't always perfect, and little things happen in the winds, but the sense of what the music is about--the character of the solo playing, the phrasing, and the wonderful feeling of delicacy and joy--is unmatched by anyone, except perhaps Karajan. The "cradle song" quality of the oboe solo early in the piece is captured to perfection, and the music moves along without ever being in a hurry. The end just floats away without seeming to drag or slow down at all. The accompanying overtures and preludes are wonderfully warm, vital, energetic accounts that show Walter's masterly touch and his long years of experience conducting these works in the pit. The accounts are full of felicitous details, particularly the Tannhäuser Bacchanale, which is still intoxicating almost 40 years later. These readings were brilliantly recorded (you can even hear a truck in the background at 1:45 in the Overture to The Flying Dutchman), and except for some tape hiss, they show almost no sign of age. As a bonus, Walter's rehearsal of the Siegfried Idyll is included. --Ted Libbey

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb performance... excellent sound, March 17, 2001

By 

Marcelo A. Soto Quiroga (Maracay, Venezuela) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Orchestral Music (Bruno Walter: The Edition) (Audio CD)

The first statement does not have to surprise anyone since Walter's name only is already a guarantee of precission and heart. The second really surprised me. Good stereo image, clearly identifiable instruments, and a particularly powerful and accurate brass section gives this album a full five stars in sound quality. Needless to say that Wagner is far to be the easiest composer to conduct and play, but the CBS Orchestra had, at that time -late fifties- an excellent lineup of professional players, besides an extraordinary conductor. And that was clearly stamped on this CD.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Walter is the man from "Head-Quarters", October 14, 2004

By 

Ryan Kouroukis "In 1882 Richard Wagner said: ... - See all my reviews

This review is from: Orchestral Music (Bruno Walter: The Edition) (Audio CD)

Sony has recently released these Wagner recordings and put them together with the complete recordings Walter made of Mahler and Bruckner! It's a bit pricey but an indispensable box set for every collector.

If you just want these Wagner recordings though, grab them as soon as you see them if you ever in life...as they are discontinued. It is some of the best Wagner I have ever heard, especially the Parsifal prelude...transendental.

Bruno Walter is one of those rare individuals from "Head-Quarters" as someone wise once told me, meaning his line of descent could be traced back to the great composers themselves. Other examples of individuals from "Head-Quarters" are Otto Klemperer, Arthur Schnabel, Wilhelm Kempf, Yehudi Menuhin, Fritz Kreisler...etc.

These are very special recordings to love and to cherish for a lifetime.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The rehearsal is my favorite, December 6, 2001

By 

Dale C. Cook "student of life" (Woodville, MA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Orchestral Music (Bruno Walter: The Edition) (Audio CD)

When I ordered this 2 CD set, I figured I'd listen to the Dr. Walter rehearsing the orchestra once but enjoy the complete selections many times. To my surprise I've listened to the rehearsals many many times and enjoyed them each time. It is wonderful to hear the gentleness of the maestro as he coaxes an exact expression for this lyric music. Simply beautiful.