G Pelloni | Cottingham, East Yorkshire United Kingdom | 02/04/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Unfortunately the art of Frantz Konwitschny has been largely overlooked in the West. Here it was a conductor of the highest class who could reach levels of perfomance accessible only to the very greats (Futwangler, Walter, Klemperer, Eric and Carlos Kleiber,Horenstein). Some of his interpretations of Beethoven, Bruckner and Wagner are unforgettable. This cd is must for any music lover."
A treasure
Canzone | California | 04/17/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I owned this years ago in its early incarnation on Angel records. It didn't sell very well, as few people were familiar with the conductor, but it's still one of the best Dutchman's around (if it really is available). Schech is probably not going to top anyone's list of favorite sopranos, but she is more than competent as Senta. The men are excellent, and the conducting is superb. And the sound isn't bad for its time either. A valuable addition to anyone's Wagner collection."
Grab it while you can
Mark Twain | Florida, MO USA | 03/20/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I shall keep my recommendation short, since as you are reading it, someone else may snatch the last copy, or the price will go up."
A Home Run!!!!!!!!
Ryan Kouroukis | Toronto, Ontario Canada | 05/07/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I've longed for a Dutchman like this for years! I mean you can't imagine the utter inspiration that flows throughout this performance...from the acting, singing, to the orchestra and engineering! It's almost like witnessing it live!
This is most powerful Dutchman I've ever heard, and the most musical. I actually believe the characters and believe the story, and this is what I want when I listen to Opera.
-Gottlob Frick is the darkest Daland I've encountered,
-Marianne Schech is an amazingly intense Senta,
-Sieglinde Wagner is an inspirational Mary
-Rudolf Schock puts up a great fight as Erik
-Fritz Wunderlich as the Steuermann is incomparable (as always!)
...but Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau gives a performace of a lifetime! His beautiful, melodic, dark and angry Dutchman is all you could ask for in the character!
Konwitschny and the Berlin Staatkapelle shines like a blaze of Glory! Those guys really had hot blood flowing through their veins in those sessions...
I'm so happy that I've found "my" Dutchman recording!...now for "my" Tannhauser!