Richard Strauss Concert

Richard [1] Strauss (Composer), Georg Solti (Conductor), Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra (Performer), Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra (Orchestra), Chicago Symphony Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
• Orchestra: Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, Chicago Symphony Orchestra
• Conductor: Georg Solti
• Composer: Richard [1] Strauss
• Audio CD (October 11, 1994)
• SPARS Code: ADD
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Decca
• ASIN: B00000422Q
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #108,563 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars if you like the big sound, this CD is hard to beat, June 23, 2000

By 

Ray Barnes (Surrey, British Columbia Canada) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Richard Strauss Concert (Audio CD)

Most potential buyers of this CD will want to hear the Heldenleben with the VPO and the Zarathustra, Don Juan and Till with the CSO. It might be fair to say the most interesting item of all in this collection would be the Alpensinfonie done with the Bavarian RSO in the Herkulessaal in Munich. All of the above were originally recorded in the 1970s and this last item might have the best recording quality. It would be hard to create more amplitude than this, and the playing is as distinguished as that afforded under the direction of Richard Strauss himself when he recorded it in the 1940s with the same orchestra. All the items show Solti at his extrovert best, with excellent playing, and for many these performances are close to definitive, depending upon one's taste. I think they can be recommended alongside - but not in preference to - Karajan and Kempe, in the same period. Very appropriate packaging and presentation with fine documentation. At bargain price, this can be strongly recommended.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A problematic set, July 19, 2000

By 

Daryl Bullis (Albany, NY USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Richard Strauss Concert (Audio CD)

Yes, Solti's Ein Heldenleben is powerful indeed and has merit on all fronts: tempo, power, sound...and the Zarathustra ranks up there as well...but I must disagree with Solti's interpretation of the Alpensinfonie. I was disturbed by the rushed approach, especially through some of the most beautiful legato passages and with his use of such an intrusive wind machine. The whiny sound of that machine really put me off, especially when it drowned out the orchestra. It didn't have all the punch and sublimnity that I know lies in this work, and for that, I would whole-heartedly recommend the Karajan on DG available in the Karajan Gold series sounding as sumptuous as ever. Solti for me has produced some of the most amazing recordings of the lp era (Rheingold, Gotterdammerung, Salome, Elektra, etc) but I find much of his work "streaky." When he is on, he is fantastic. When he is rushed and "off", it is a huge disappointment.

This set has its merits. Be advised that these readings are quirky, and should not be taken as definitive. There is a whole world of other recordings out there that would serve the music scores better. I recommed this set as a complement to other recordings, just to give an idea of what Sotli was (or was not) able to do with the various scores and different orchestras.

The price is a huge bonus for this set.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Solti and Strauss, April 10, 2010

By 

Spartro1 "Spartro1" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Richard Strauss Concert (Audio CD)

Richard Strauss's tone poems are works that one either loves or hates. Personally, I love them. Being a bass clarinet player, I admire the way that he wrote for the instrument. However, my appreciation of the works presented here goes very far beyond that. These recordings were my introduction to the music and Strauss.

Let's start with the orchestras. We have the Vienna Philharmonic in Ein Heldenleben, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra for Also Sprach Zarathustra, Don Juan, and Till Eulenspiegel. Finally, the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra on Ein Alpsensinfonie. All of these ensembles offer top-notch playing, especially Chicago. Except for a couple of rough spots in Till, I have yet to hear any of these works better played.

Next, we have Sir Georg Solti. On 4 out of 5 of these works, he accomplishes great, great things. I have yet to hear a more exciting Heldenleben ( and yes I've heard the Reiner/CSO version.) Zarathustra is all white-hot and brilliant. Don Juan and Till? Great. However, the Alpine Symphony (which is why I bought the recording in the first place) is a very elegant failure. Solti gets in the way by going way too fast through it. I want to feel and see the mountain at the summit, not glimpse it and then fall down the mountain.

For a different recording of th Alpine Symphony, I recommend Kempe/Dresden Staatskaplle (which might not be available) on EMI or Previn/Vienna Philharmonic on Telarc. Aside from that, I heartily recommend the rest of these recordings. As usual, Decca does an excellent job in recording these works.

Bravi tutti!