Wagner: Orchestral Music [Original recording remastered]

Richard Wagner (Composer), Otto Klemperer (Conductor), Philharmonia Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Philharmonia Orchestra
• Conductor: Otto Klemperer
• Composer: Richard Wagner
• Audio CD (September 17, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: EMI Classics
• ASIN: B00006I0AU
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #241,364 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The ultimate Wagner orchestral music, February 4, 2006

By 

Ytzan "Yannis" (Athens, GR) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wagner: Orchestral Music (Audio CD)

I have these CDs for almost 15 years before they became a 2-CD set and still play them regularly. Got to know Wagner from the classical Furtwangler cycle, for many the best Wagner music ever recorded. Although Furtwangler is exceptional I do not think that it can surpass these accounts of Klemperer's Wagner. The sound of my CDs is not that great (something that probably has been fixed in these CDs) but the music is illumining in every instance. If you listen to this Tannhuaser you will understand what I am talking about. The Philharmonia Orchestra under Klemperer works miracles as always. A must have for every music-lover, even if you hate Wagner.

22 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect Place To Start!, November 29, 2002

By 

Joseph Kimsey "Fareastnibelung" (Pac NW) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Wagner: Orchestral Music (Audio CD)

Since his music is so controversial & demanding, it's probably cruel to introduce a person to Wagner by first experiencing one of his operas. Personally, I've fallen in love with Wagner's earlier Romantic operas & later music dramas. This passion, however, wasn't linear, and I spent a lot of time skipping through sections that I didn't particularly appreciate until rather late in the game. If that makes me a slow developer, fair enough. It also puts me in with the majority of people who grow to love this operatic genius. This 2-disc set is the perfect way to determine if you would like to delve further.

Klemperer's brooding conducting is perfect for the sheer weight of many of these pieces. The Gotterdammerung selections are absolutely perfect! The prelude to Parsifal is also stunning, as is the Tristan prelude & Isolde's liebestod!

Wagner's popular mid-period Tannhauser & Lohengrin selections range from lusty (Tann. overture, Lohengrin prelude act 3) to sublime (Lohengrin prelude act 1) The ever-popular Meistersinger is well represented with the regal overture (minus the Lutheran choral music, unfortunately) and the exquisite Dance of the Apprentices/Entry of the Masters.

The towering Ring selections include the perennial potboiler Ride of the Valkyries, albeit in severely abbreviated form. Donner's powerful "aria" (without words) w/ the final march from Rheingold is present, along with a gorgeous Forest Murmurs from Siegfried and a spectacular selection from Wagner's greatest, Gotterdammerung.

Early Wagner selections from Rienzi and Der fliegende Hollander tend towards the more bombastic side; but hey, if your neighbor plays really annoying rap music at high volume, you can always counter it with these selections. I can guarantee you they'll stop.

In order that the eardrums don't bleed too profusely, Wagner's chamber piece, the Siegfried-Idyll is included and is played with a refreshing lightness of touch.

Perhaps the most exciting experience one can have listening to this music is witnessing this astonishing progression of genius. From Rienzi to Parsifal, no artist (with the possible exception of Beethoven) has progressed so far from the heroic to the sublime. This is truly timeless music.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The definitive orchestal Wagner..., November 13, 2002

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Wagner: Orchestral Music (Audio CD)

Wether you love Wagner operas or just his orchestal music or even if you are new to Wagner's music, this is the definitive orchestal recording to have. This 2 CD set contains 157 minutes of the best orchestal Wagner ever available. The Philharmonia Orchestra under the batoon of Otto Klemperer plays perfect, the tempi is slow but not boring, in fact with a lot of feeling and the sound is amazing. The Siegfried Idyll is played with small amount of instruments, just as Wagner intended it to be played. The works in this set are not limited just to the tipical overtures and preludes as other CD's are, it includes more orchestal music from the best known Wagner operas; it does not include music from "Die Feen" or "Das Liebesverbot" or other works as "Faust" overture, etc, but is an excellent set that you will make one of your favorites since the first time you listen.