Strauss: Ein Heldenleben (A Hero's Life) / Die Frau ohne Schatten (Woman without a Shadow) ~ Thielemann [Import]

Richard [1] Strauss (Composer), Christian Thielemann (Conductor), Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
• Conductor: Christian Thielemann
• Composer: Richard [1] Strauss
• Audio CD (July 1, 2003)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Dg Imports
• ASIN: B00008O8B2
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #230,420 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thielemann and the VPO - a winning combination., October 1, 2003

By 

JPH "JPH" (Crawley) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Strauss: Ein Heldenleben (A Hero's Life) / Die Frau ohne Schatten (Woman without a Shadow) ~ Thielemann (Audio CD)

There are two good reasons why this disc should be in any Strauss lover's collection: (a) the post-Carlos Kleiber Vienna Philharmonic finally rediscovers its long-buried inimitable, glorious tones, (b) Thielemann gives an accomplished, sensuous and youthful reading of Strauss's inexhaustible score. His performance has much in common with Ormandy's big-boned Philadelphia account, with the differences residing in Honeck's more elegant, sinuous violins solos (as contrasted to Brusilow's more volatile and fiery playing), and in Thielemann's expansive tempi. At a dangerous 47.06, it is 2 seconds longer than Danny's shapeless and deathly CS account, but nowhere does it share even an iota of the dull numbedness prevalent in the latter. This Heldenleben is genuinely exciting and sensuously alive in every bar.

The reservations here would be that the VPO brass does indeed have a few precarious, squeaky(!) moments, (but then again, it is a fact that in live performances the brass section of every great orchestra suffers a few hazardous slips), and that Thielemann does not quite exert the same architectural grip over the score as the greatest Strauss conductors. Also, due to the naturally-distanced live recording, the harpist often goes AWOL --- most noticeably in the love music of Part 3, and in Part 5. I do feel that these minor flaws are a small price to pay in return for the joy of hearing this youthfully exuberant performance. Like Karajan, Thielemann's 2002 Heldenleben could well be the first in a series of three, so he may indeed become more accomplished in the future.

The "Die Frau ohne Schatten" excerpt is good too. It is performed with a greater variety of tone and affection than its nearest modern-day rival, Mehta's BPO version. The overall sonic ambience here and in the Heldenleben is excellent throughout; full and rich, and there are no jarring intrusions from the audience.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Splendor from the best living Strauss conductor, April 23, 2004

By 

J. F. Laurson (Washington, DC United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Strauss: Ein Heldenleben (A Hero's Life) / Die Frau ohne Schatten (Woman without a Shadow) ~ Thielemann (Audio CD)

Vienna and Thielemann - it works like a charm! Be it Tristan & Isolde or their piece by piece Strauss collection: Thielemann is most at home in this musical vernacular, and the VPO (= WPh) is one of the best orchestras to do it with... together with the Munich Philharmonic.

The latter Orchestra happens to have been the one where I heard Thielemann conduct this live. I didn't even notice it was Thielemann (I had just 'stopped by' the concert house, not looking at the program), I was so enthralled with the music. Similar things can be achieved with this record -- but only when listened to at extreme volumes OR on headphones. The sweeping nature will be - despite it being the best sonic quality record of Ein Heldenleben on the market - lost on your average boombox. It would be such a waste. Even the cheapest headphones quadruple the enjoyment.

The way that Thielemann tightens the rhythm is exemplary - compared with this, Mariss Jansons's RCO recording (RCO live 001) sounds downright flabby. The FrOSch-fantasie is entirely forgettable, but that's Strauss's fault, not Thielemann's. This is, together with Karajan's middle [thanks, MJW] account (EMI) and of course the supreme Kempe account (EMI, also) the Heldenleben to get... it is also the best in terms of sound quality.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Love Strauss, Love Thielemann!, March 10, 2006

By 

Grady Harp (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Strauss: Ein Heldenleben (A Hero's Life) / Die Frau ohne Schatten (Woman without a Shadow) ~ Thielemann (Audio CD)

This is one wondrous recording on every level. Christian Thielemann is becoming one our more important Straussian conductors: he has a particular affinity for the drama and majesty of Strauss' sometimes over-the-top writing. The Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra responds to Thielemann with not only obvious respect but also with all out, full throttle brilliance of playing.

A welcome addition to the recorded repertoire is Thielemann's choice of including 'Die Frau ohne Schatten' symphonic fantasy on this CD (this was recorded in the studio as opposed to the Ein Heldenleben which was recorded live). The 'Fantasy' of excerpts may not be the wisest synthesis Strauss made of his own music, but just to have the pleasure of hearing the gorgeous orchestral portions of that great opera without the voices is a treat.

But on to the primary reason for applause: 'Ein Heldenleben' here receives one of the most satisfyingly fresh and well-conceived performances on record. The various 'movement/sections' remain suitably depictive, but it is the overall vision of this score that makes Thielemann's grasp so sound. This is Strauss played with all the voluptuousness and elegant line and sonorous melody that is inherent in this score so often overblown in the hands of lesser conductors. The engineering is of the highest quality resulting in a sound that must be heard to be believed. This is truly a magnificent recording. Highly Recommended. Grady Harp, March 06