Search - Richard Wagner, Henk de Vlieger, Edo de Waart :: Tristan Und Isolde: Orchestral Passion

You can't judge an album by its cover

Daniel R. Greenfield | Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States | 05/22/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is the third cd in a trilogy of orchestral tone poems based on the Wagnerian operas. The other two are called "The Ring: An Orchestral Adventure", and "Parcifal: An Orchestral Quest". Netherlands Radio Philharmonic percussionist and arranger Henk de Vlieger assembled the music magnificently so it plays in one continuous movement on each CD, although there are also distinct track indices on each album. The three CD's are available singly and also as a boxed set, usually at a closeout prices.While the campy album art is a huge turn-off and has probably been largely responsible for spoiling the success of this very fine set, the music on all three albums is superbly performed and recorded. Edo de Waart has crafted mesmerizing performances on all three of these disks; but if one is to be singled out, it is the Tristan & Isolde. Over 65 minutes of hypnotic music, lush, achingly sensual and passionate, one of the finest performances I have ever heard. It just seems to float and go on forever, wavering between agitation and tenderness. As for the artwork, it's just terrible. I can only interpret it as a misguided attempt to ridicule the pretentiousness of the Wagnerian operas. My advice: Print new cd label and liner art for these disks. Then enjoy these finely crafted tone poems."