R. Strauss Tone Poems
View record and artist detailsRecord and Artist Details
Composer or Director: Richard Strauss
Label: Decca
Magazine Review Date: 1/1985
Media Format: CD or Download
Media Runtime: 63
Mastering:
Stereo
ADD
Catalogue Number: 414 043-2DH
Tracks:
| Composition | Artist Credit |
|---|---|
| Also sprach Zarathustra, 'Thus spake Zarathustra' |
Richard Strauss, Composer
Chicago Symphony Orchestra Georg Solti, Conductor Richard Strauss, Composer |
| Don Juan |
Richard Strauss, Composer
Chicago Symphony Orchestra Georg Solti, Conductor Richard Strauss, Composer |
| Till Eulenspiegels lustige Streiche |
Richard Strauss, Composer
Chicago Symphony Orchestra Georg Solti, Conductor Richard Strauss, Composer |
Author: Edward Greenfield
The CD transfer of these brilliant Decca analogue recordings of 1975 is certainly impressive, and can be warmly recommended to those who want this coupling in place of the less generous offerings on the rival issues of Zarathustra. Not surprisingly the Decca engineers have opted to put Zarathustra first with its spectacular opening. The organ pedal note is impressively full and loud, but the pronounced tremulant quality makes it sound more mechanical than musical, and CD if anything exaggerates both the brilliance and the relative lack of depth and perspective often found in Chicago sound. Having Zarathustra first also brings the slight disadvantage that you have to switch on to Band 10 for the second item, Till Eulenspiegel, which brings a particularly vivid start, for there with few instruments playing the sound is more clearly placed in its natural setting and atmosphere.
Stephen Dodgson recently opted for this version of Till as his first choice in a Record Review comparison on BBC Radio 3, and on every count it is excellent. With the other two works Solti's characteristic fierceness occasionally obtrudes and at climaxes the sound, though remarkable for its period, does not quite match that of the finest CDs, which aerate the complex textures more. But for this coupling Solti's intense and powerful performances are all very impressive.'
Stephen Dodgson recently opted for this version of Till as his first choice in a Record Review comparison on BBC Radio 3, and on every count it is excellent. With the other two works Solti's characteristic fierceness occasionally obtrudes and at climaxes the sound, though remarkable for its period, does not quite match that of the finest CDs, which aerate the complex textures more. But for this coupling Solti's intense and powerful performances are all very impressive.'
R. Strauss Tone Poems
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