Compact Disc only goes to conform what a true and natural recording this has always been, with an ideal balance between voice and orchestra, and just the right amount of air around both. So, from the sound point of view, this a very welcome addition to the CD catalogue. Where the conducting is concerned a rehearing, after a goodly space of time, renewed my admiration for Jochum's clear, direct, yet beautifully warm direction, with a degree of passion when required, and no place where the conductor draws attention to himself. The playing, though not quite on the level of the Vienna Philharmonic and Staatskapelle, Dresden on rival LP versions, steadily improves as the performance progresses and reaches notable heights in Act 3.
I don't find my verdicts on the singers have much altered either. Fischer-Dieskau's Sachs remains controversial: fine legato (at the start of the Fliedermonolog, for instance) and a comprehensive understanding of the text has to be set against many places where its projection becomes explosive. Nor, to my mind, does this baritone's sophisticated approach, seconded by his refined voice, convey the earthy side fo the character: weight is wanting. Hermann remains an admirably straight and elucidatory Beckmesser, Ludwig an ideal 'Lene. Ligendza's Eva i have come to terms with; not tonally ideal but better than others on modern versions. In the case of Domingo, my opinion is now rather lower than it once was. There is the secure, strong singing to admire—and we did all admire it nine years ago—but there is an inner poetry in the part that eludes h im, also an enunciated accent that can only come with an intimate knowledge of the language. If Walther had arrived from Italy or Spain in Nuremberg, Domingo would be ideal, but he is after all a Junker knight. Lagger's Pogner has just that way with the text that Domingo lacks; so does Gerd Feldhoff's superb Kothner. i hope Karajan's more evenly cast HMV version will appear on CD; but for the present this is a worthy companion to the Rings and Tristans already available.'