Search - Richard [1] Strauss, Tolga Kashif, Philharmonia Orchestra of London :: Richard Strauss: Death and Transfiguration; Don Juan; Horn Concerto No. 1

Strauss with passion and verve but maybe lacking subtlety

Larry VanDeSande | Mason, Michigan United States | 08/08/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This little CD was one of the most impressive I came across in 2004 when I bought an out of print version of its first dressing and it's just as good on reissue here -- and for a better price. In terms of passion, orchestral playing and recording, it ranks with the best stereo Strauss CDs out there today. Unfortunately, with little known Tolga Kashif at the helm, it apparently couldn't compete at full price in a market full of recordings by Furtwangler, Karajan, Kempe, Bohm, the new Strauss set by Zinman and every other Richard Strauss specialist of the stereo era.



That does not diminish the wonder of this CD, however. Kashif has fashioned performances of great passion and near reckless headlong drive. He lacks the subtlety and reserve of the greatest veteran performers but no conductor or recording tops this in terms of visceral excitement and red blooded emotional investment.



The recording begins impressively with a dynamic reading of "Death and Transfiguration", with the transfiguration theme showing the beginnings of Kashif's emotional attachment to the music of Strauss. It turns into a wild ride full of abandon and excitement that makes Karajan's more controlled work seem pale by comparison. Kashif must have relentlessly driven the Philharmonic Orchestra to perfection, for the musicians are with his every step of the way. The engineers, too, for the sound stage has unusual depth and extreme dynamic range, as if you are hearing this in performance live in the best hall in the world.



Philharmonia Orchestra principals Eric Gruenberg (violin) and Frank Lloyd (horn) perform the solo work in "Death and Transfiguration" and the Horn Concerto No. 1, respectively. Lloyd is not the most individual player but has a pleasing overall bloom to his playing that fits well with Kashif's relaxed but by turn aggressive approach. The 2008 Penguin Guide called Lloyd's version the best account of the Horn Concerto No. 1 since Dennis Brain. Wow! Gruenberg, a veteran of the first chair with this fine orchestra, is wonderful in his brief solo turns.



No recording of "Don Juan" by any conductor outdoes this one. I have owned the 1958 Bohm stereo recording for years; it was the first recording of this music I could listen to all the way through without wandering. I later added the critically acclaimed versions of Karjan, Stokowski and Szell.



The version on this CD does not have Bohm's inherest understanding of the romantic score, nor does it have Szell's literal resolve or Stokowski's wayward approach, but is better played by the orchestra and sounds better than any of those. It makes a thrilling conclusion to a fine CD of Strauss warhorses. On the basis of this CD, I would love to hear these forces tackle the "Alpine" Symphony and "Also Sprach Zarathustra".



I bought this CD for the pairing, as I did not currently have versions of these three pieces in my library. In addition to the qualities cited above, these performances have exemplary engineering that provides the listener with a sound experience that is better than the norm, even for recordings from this era (1997). Unless you demand the utmost in subtlety -- something Kashif doesn't often exude -- you will not regret adding this to your collection regardless of how many performances you already have of these works."