Customer Reviews

Wagner: Lohengrin

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Rudolf Kempe was a great Wagner and Strauss conductor, and it is great to have his Lohengrin on remastered CD with this great cast. In fact, this recording represents the collaboration of an historic dream team of the 60s and early 70s.

Although there are some excellent newer digital recordings with stellar artists, such as Solti's with Placido Domingo and Jessye Norman, and Abbado's with Siegfried Jerusalem and Cheryl Studer, this recording has many unique strengths which make it very desirable. I am very familiar with the Solti and Kempe recordings, both. I am less familiar with Abbado's - having heard it only once.

The Evil Ortrud and Friedrich

In particular, under Kempe, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau and Christa Ludwig, as the evil Friedrich and Ortrud, are absolutely incomparably superb in their characterizations of the conniving, malevolent couple. Others are "good", but no one comes even close to their portrayals, they are definitive. This recording would be important for that reason alone, but there are many other delights.

Vulnerable Elsa

Elizabeth Grummer is ideal as the sweet and insecure Elsa. Jessye Norman, who is Elsa on Solti's excellent recording, sounds wonderful, but her voice and personification are too big for the character. Grummer wonderfully conveys Elsa's vulnerability and self-doubt. This is a definitive Elsa.

Heroic Lohengrin

Jess Thomas, the American heldentenor, as Lohengrin was in great demand in live performances of the 60s. He lives the part, and is very characterful in pointing his words and conveying heroic strength and emotion. But he was also known for a heldentenor tendency to "barking". Nonetheless, Thomas gives one of his more commanding performances under Kempe in this recording. His rendition of "In Fernem Land" is particularly exciting. His main competition comes from Placido Domingo on the Solti recording, or Siegfried Jerusalem under Abbado. To my ear, Jerusalem has the same "barking" issues as Thomas. Domingo, however, is a revelation on the Solti recording. Although his accent comes through the German, his Lohengrin soars heroically, no barking or strain. It is a beautiful performance above all others. Still, there are moments where Thomas is preferable, as in "in Fernam Land", where he may not sound as beautiful as Domingo, but he nails the heroism better.

Conductors & Orchestras

As far as conductor competition, Solti represents another conductor internationally known for decades of superior Wagner/Strauss interpretations. Abbado may not be as well known for that, but they both conduct the same orchestra as Kempe- the Vienna Philharmonic. Solti and Abbado have modern digital sound, which means we hear everything at every dynamic. The Vienna Philharmonic are excellent on all counts. The brass especially pull out the stops for Solti. That recording always quickens my pulse in the Act 3 scene change with the brass players double- and triple-tonguing. Kempe was known for his flexibility in shaping phrases and building climaxes. I think in many places (the second scene of Act 3 as I mentioned and in Act 2 particularly) Solti does him one better, but Kempe captures the human drama of Lohengrin, and it is very gripping in his hands.

I highly recommend this remastered Kempe recording of Lohengrin by a great team. Although the recording is nearly 40 years old, the sound is very good, and it has many special qualities and provides some incredible unique Wagnerian operatic moments.

I also think the Solti recording is very special. I couldn't make up my mind between them, so I bought them both!

You should too!

My review will be brief. Most of you know the opera and have heard everything since.

I have to ad that this is the most intense Lohengrin around save for a live performance or two.

For me it beats the others especially Solti's rather dull-ish recording...Ludwig is only out done by her own live performances. Grummer is a perfect Elsa and the rest is first rate....It sounds like a living performance.

It was a gift and the recipient was pleased so I am giving it a 3... I don't know if it's good or not since I didn't listen to it.