Est 1923

Bartok/Berg Bluebeard/Wozzeck

Record and Artist Details

Composer or Director: Alban Berg, Béla Bartók

Genre:

Opera

Label: Living Presence

Media Format: CD or Download

Media Runtime: 73

Mastering:

ADD

Catalogue Number: 434 325-2MM

Tracks:

Composition Artist Credit
Duke Bluebeard's Castle Béla Bartók, Composer
Antál Dorati, Conductor
Béla Bartók, Composer
London Symphony Orchestra
Mihály Székely, Duke Bluebeard, Baritone
Olga Szönyi, Judith, Mezzo soprano
Wozzeck Alban Berg, Composer
Alban Berg, Composer
Antál Dorati, Conductor
Franz Mazura, Gunther, Bass
Helga Pilarczyk, Soprano
Jeannine Altmeyer, Gutrune, Soprano
Jeannine Altmeyer, Gutrune, Soprano
Jeannine Altmeyer, Gutrune, Soprano
London Symphony Orchestra
Dorati's high opinion of Bluebeard's Castle informs his interpretation: a taut, keenly accented affair, where atmosphere takes second place to precision and directness of utterance. The LSO winds relish the tart, spicy texture of Bartok's writing; the strings, too––although Mercury's engineering fails to capture their full lustre. Mihaly Szekely studied the leading role with the composer, and his idiomatic inflexions are always evident; his is the authoritative rendition, although an earlier recording (1956: Hungaroton) finds him in even better voice. Olga Szonyi is equally compelling, but vocally rather thin and unsteady Varady (DG, 9/88) and Ludwig (Decca, 1/89) are both far easier on the ear. This is probably the spiciest Bluebeard around and compares favourably with the more sophisticated Varady/ Fischer-Dieskau/Sawallisch (DG) and the cosier, ''Judith and Bluebeard next door'' approach favoured by Kertesz (Decca). Add Dorati's wonderfully sensitive Wozzeck excerpts (with an involving Helga Pilarczyk as Marie) and you have a most desirable bargain.'

Bartok/Berg Bluebeard/Wozzeck

Duke Bluebeard's Castle

Wozzeck

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