Richard Strauss: Aus Italien; Macbeth

Richard [1] Strauss (Composer), David Zinman (Conductor), Tonhalle-Orchestre Zurich (Orchestra), Zurich Tonhalle Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Tonhalle-Orchestre Zurich, Zurich Tonhalle Orchestra
• Conductor: David Zinman
• Composer: Richard [1] Strauss
• Audio CD (October 29, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: RCA
• ASIN: B00004YMLO
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #179,512 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars A splendid Macbeth and a more problematic Aus Italien, August 11, 2010

By 

G.D. (Norway) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Richard Strauss: Aus Italien; Macbeth (Audio CD)

Something of a mixed bag, this one. On the one hand, we have a quite remarkable, fiery and intense Macbeth, surely one of the better versions out there of this effective (though hardly first-rate) work. Zinman's conception is taut and dramatic, and he draws some really excellent playing from the Zürich Tonhalle - not as magnificently radiant as one would expect from the Berlin Philharmonic, say, but truly compelling nonetheless. The performance of Aus Italian, however, is more problematic. Of course, it is already a problematic work from the composer himself, often at risk of sounding sprawling and incoherent (and apart from the finale, curiously little Italian sounding). Zinman takes a rather restrained approach, and while it works very well in the slow movement, the rest sounds a little bloated and uninspired - partially, it is because the orchestral tone is a little dull, but a little more swagger and vigor would certainly have helped a lot - in particular the finale seems to drag. Still, I do not want to sound too harsh, for this is certainly a very commendable release overall, though particularly so for the Macbeth (and Aus Italien is overall more than acceptable). The sound is very good.

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Zinman's Strauss, January 13, 2006

By 

Eric S. Kim (Southern California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Richard Strauss: Aus Italien; Macbeth (Audio CD)

Critically acclaimed maestro David Zinman is as outstanding as the late Rudolf Kempe: he handles Richard Strauss' masterful tone poems magnificently. Every note is taken under direct precision, and there is no overblowing whatsoever. The Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich gives out spectacular emotion in almost every piece. The soloists, especially Melanie Diener as the soprano for "Four Last Songs", do a fine job and play their parts with clarity. As for the sound quality, it is most excellent when it comes to volume and beauty.

Each tone poem strikes me like lightning. Ein Alpensinfonie, Macbeth, Metamorphosen, & Tod Und Verklarung are very powerful to listen to. Aus Italien, Don Quixote, Don Juan, & Sinfonia Domestica have pure dynamism. Also Sprach Zarathustra, Oboenkonzert, Parergon, Vier Letzte Lieder, & Festliches Präludium are at their finest when it comes to Zinman's conducting. To know the rest is to listen to them straight through.

I highly recommend these seven CD's to anyone who is starting to have a keen fascination with Richard Strauss. It is low-priced for seven discs, and the brilliant performances from the Tonhalle Orchestra will just dazzle you completely. Also, try the Rudolf Kempe renditions with the Staatskapelle Dresden: they're either on EMI Classics or on Brilliant Classics.

Volume 2: Ein Heldenleben, Tod und Verklarung Richard Strauss: Ein Heldenleben; Tod und Verklärung

Volume 3: Don Juan, Till Eulenspiegels, Also Sprach Zarathustra Richard Strauss: Don Juan; Till Eulenspiegels lustige Streiche; Also sprach Zarathustra

Volume 4: Eine Alpensinfonie Eine Alpensinfonie / Festliches Praludium

Volume 5: Metamorphosen, Oboe Concerto, Four Last Songs Metamorphosen / Oboe Concerto / Four Last Songs

Volume 6: Symphonia Domestica, R. Strauss: Sinfonia Domestica; Parergon

Volume 7: Don Quixote R.Strauss: Don Quixote; Celloromanze; Bläserserenade