Pfitzner: Das Christelflein [Import]

Hans Pfitzner (Composer), Kurt Eichhorn (Conductor), Alexander Malta (Performer), Claes-Håkan Ahnsjo (Performer), Ferry Gruber (Performer), Helen Donath (Performer), Janet Perry (Performer), Nikolaus Hillebrand (Performer), Paul Hansen (Performer), Raimund Grumbach (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Alexander Malta, Claes-Håkan Ahnsjo, Ferry Gruber, Helen Donath, Janet Perry, et al.
• Conductor: Kurt Eichhorn
• Composer: Hans Pfitzner
• Audio CD (January 23, 2001)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Import
• Label: Orfeo D'or
• ASIN: B000056UY9
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #369,456 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Das Christ-Elflein, opera, Op. 20: Act I: Ouvertüre

2. Das Christ-Elflein, opera, Op. 20: Act I: 'Es war einmal'

3. Das Christ-Elflein, opera, Op. 20: Act I: 'Doch still, da kommt es unter den Tannen hervor' - 'Sie schlafen alle, weit und breit'

4. Das Christ-Elflein, opera, Op. 20: Act I: 'Aber der Frieder hat keine Zeit'

5. Das Christ-Elflein, opera, Op. 20: Act I: 'Krank - o weh, was mag das sein?'

6. Das Christ-Elflein, opera, Op. 20: Act I: 'Das Elflein hat sich versteckt'

7. Das Christ-Elflein, opera, Op. 20: Act I: 'Aber horch, da kommt einer durch den Wald' - 'Ich schreite durch den Schnee einher'

8. Das Christ-Elflein, opera, Op. 20: Act I: 'Sind der Jochen und der Franz denn dumm?'

9. Das Christ-Elflein, opera, Op. 20: Act I: 'Du holdes Puppenangesicht'

10. Das Christ-Elflein, opera, Op. 20: Act I: 'Nun, das Elflein wollte noch wissen'

See all 13 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Das Christ-Elflein, opera, Op. 20: Act II: Einleitung

2. Das Christ-Elflein, opera, Op. 20: Act II: 'Der zweite Teil unserer Geschichte'

3. Das Christ-Elflein, opera, Op. 20: Act II: 'Wo ist der Baum?'

4. Das Christ-Elflein, opera, Op. 20: Act II: 'Tja, haben die nun wirklich miteinander gestritten'

5. Das Christ-Elflein, opera, Op. 20: Act II: Pantomime

6. Das Christ-Elflein, opera, Op. 20: Act II: 'Der Frieder hört den Vater kommen'

7. Das Christ-Elflein, opera, Op. 20: Act II: 'O komm' in unsere Mitte'

8. Das Christ-Elflein, opera, Op. 20: Act II: 'Wer ist das schöne Kind?'

9. Das Christ-Elflein, opera, Op. 20: Act II: 'Hört alle mal zu!' - 'Als Christ der Herr verkläret war'

10. Das Christ-Elflein, opera, Op. 20: Act II: 'Auch in diesem Jahr hatte das Trautchen die Aufgabe'

See all 15 tracks on this disc

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A delightful rarity available at last!, March 7, 2001

By 

Dr. Boyd D. Cathey (North Carolina) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pfitzner: Das Christelflein (Audio CD)

Hans Pfitzner is known mostly for his impressive early 20th century opera, PALESTRINA, his cantata Von Deutsche Seele, and his songs. The release by Orfeo d'Or of his lighter, "Christmas" opera, DAS CHRISTELFLEIN, reveals another, very lyrical and rustic side of this composer. Those who can remember will recall that the old "private" LP label MRF once released this performance (which dates from the 1970s)in stereo in a beautifully illustrated box, complete with German/English libretto. The Orfeo release does not include a libretto, but does include a plot summary and some intereresting data about Pfitzner and the work--"the Christmas Elf."

DAS CHRISTEFLEIN was written in 1917, in the middle of World War I. But the opera is anything but dark or turgid. Pfitzner has considerably lightened his orchestration here; the textures are clean and bright, even incorporating German folk tunes. At times it seems that one is listening to a HANSEL UND GRETEL sound-alike--but I actually prefer it to H & G.

The vocalism is of a high order, with Helen Donath and Claes Ahjnso as standouts. The sound is very good. Highly recommended.