Customer Reviews

Wagner: Orchestral Favourites ~ Solti / Vienna Phil.

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

 

 

Say what you will about your favorite recording of this or that Wagner opera. There has never been a better long term Wagner "cycle" than the one that came from the partnership between Sir Georg Solti and the Wiener Philharmoniker. This collection of orchestral excerpts is, in its own way, every bit as worthwhile.

Here in two discs (for the price of one no less) we have a great sampling of what makes Wagner's music so moving and magical. Just listen to the preludes from Tristan and Parsifal or the Funeral March from Die Götterdämmerung--this is stuff that revolutionized how we think of music.

Some might quibble that an average of 61 minutes of music per disc is a little stingy--especially when some of the usual suspects (The Ride of the Valkyries springs most readily to mind) have been left out. Some might also find the sound in need of a bit of cleaning. I'd agree.

But I'd also give this recording my heartfelt recommendation. These pieces in the expert hands of Solti and the VPO are well worth having. Don't hesitate to get a copy for yourself.

Most Solti collecitons of Wagner overtures mix and match his readings with the Vienna Phil. and his own Chicago Sym., but here we get familiar chestnuts from the operas exclusively taken from the full operas recorded by Solti in Vienna as well as msicellaneous excerpts LPs. As such, this bargain Double Decca allows us to view the full panoply of a great collaboration that began in the Fifties and ended in the Eighties. (The earliest item here is a Tristan Prelude from 1960, the latest a Lohengrin Act 1 Prelude from 1985.)

What's the overall verdict? Undeniable brilliance and visceral excitment, but somewhat short shrift as far as depth and emotion go. The shortcomings are minimized when it comes to overtures and preludes, however. As is abundantly evident here, Solti revolutionized Wagner recordings by bringing sonic splendor into the picture (albeit these classic Decca blockbusters often have too much edge and brightness in their digital guise).

In sum, a must-listen, especially if you can buy this two-fer on the used market.

So lately I have gotten hooked on Wagner thanks to Solti and his ways! Blast you Georg! So I have been snatching up many Wagner recordings with Solti leading the Vienna Philharmonia. This was an interesting little set with Wagner's orchestral works assembled from various Decca recordings.

The only reason I give it four stars is because it's a little short on content for 2 discs, about 120 minutes (some Decca double deckers have 150-180 minutes) and it seems a little less magical than the full recordings of the operas. Listening to the overtures is all well and good, but then I want to hear the rest and then I have to dig out a complete recording. For those like me who have purchased many Wagner operas, then this set might be overkill. But for those who are looking for a good cross section of Wagner Orchestral works, this is a good set.

A previous review mentioned the audio could be cleaned up a bit. I agree, though certain pieces from this collection are in more need than others. You'll know when you hear them (if you notice it - I don't want to mention which ones and pre-dispose people to listening specifically for it!).

A very good compilation from one of the best Wagner conductor/symphony combos in Georg Solti and Vienna.

An excellent recording! The power, intensity and emotion never stops. This is Soltis' music and the Vienna Phil. know how to play it for him.