Wagner: Favourite Overtures / Sir Georg Solti

Richard [Classical] Wagner (Composer), Georg Solti (Conductor), Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra), Chicago Symphony Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, Chicago Symphony Orchestra
• Conductor: Georg Solti
• Composer: Richard [Classical] Wagner
• Audio CD (May 12, 1998)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Decca
• ASIN: B000006P4V
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #58,646 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Solti Speaks Wagnerian, October 24, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Wagner: Favourite Overtures / Sir Georg Solti (Audio CD)

I find this particular Solti interpretation of Tannhauser to be one of the best I've heard. The bold and brassy use of horns is both invigorating and unsettling. Thank you Maestro Solti for "painting" with a bold brush when required.

The reason I did not give this disc 5 stars, is because I also found the abbreviated 3 minute clip of The Ride of the Valkyries to be not only disappointing but also unacceptable.

Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg is vintage Solti. His interpretation is probably one of the standard measures for others to compare on this one.

The Rienzi Overture is well done. However, I believe most will find the version conducted by George Szell of the Cleveland Orchestra to be the best. Look for it in Sony's Essential Classics.

Most should find this CD a valuable addition to a basic collection of Wagner instrumentals and I recommend it highly.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting album..., March 28, 2007

By 

sam1858 "Sam" (Texas, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wagner: Favourite Overtures / Sir Georg Solti (Audio CD)

This album is a good one, but a very strange one too. Both orchestras under Solti, are simply astounding. All the pieces in this album are well played and are skilfully conducted by Solti.

Yet, the only reason why I gave it 4 stars, was for the mere reason that Ride of the Valkyries is an excerpt, it is well played, yet, that fact that it is a 3+ minute excerpt is rather disappointing. Also, there is an awckward timpani entrance in Tannhauser, but overall, it's a good album.

Some may complain that Solti liked overblown brass, but in my experience as an orchestral player, for Wagner, you need brass, and no the brass is not overblown.

The Flying Dutchman (Der Fliegende Hollander), Performed by the Vienna Phil., is simply awesome. I still need to get the one with CSO, but as far as this goes, this track is simply awesome. I sincerely think if you do purchase this CD you will enjoy not only The Flying Dutchman, but the rest of the tracks as well.

5 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, January 28, 2002

By 

J. Andrew Howe (Knoxville, TN USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Wagner: Favourite Overtures / Sir Georg Solti (Audio CD)

This CD quickly made it's way into my favourites collection. I'd have to say tracks 5 and 6 alone are worth the cost of the CD. On a scale of 1-5 stars, I'd say this is really a 6!