Search - Richard [Classical] Wagner, Claudio Abbado, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra :: Wagner: Orchestral Music

An enterprising album

Ray Barnes | Surrey, British Columbia Canada | 09/30/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The CD consists of the original Dresden version of the Overture to Tannhauser, the Parsifal Act I Prelude, a suite of music from Parsifal Act III consisting of the Good Friday music, the Transformation and Processional music, the Knights' chorus prior to Amfortas' monologue, and the last 7 minutes of the finale, with choral accompaniment (from the orchestral passage that precedes "dem heiligen Speer, ich bring Ihn euch zuruck"); and, the Prelude and Liebestod from Tristan und Isolde. There is no solo singing at all. The choral parts are performed by the Swedish Radio Chorus under the direction of Simon Halsey.Overall the performances are impressive, although some might find Abbado's tempi in the Parsifal extracts a shade too brisk. I liked the music's flowing without haste, as the score is slow enough already. The orchestral playing has great weight and sonority, and the sound reminded me of Karajan's studio recording of Parsifal done some 20 years ago, particularly the luscious harp textures at the end. The sound quality is rich and atmospheric. The program notes are fairly complete, including the German texts of the vocal parts with English translation.I found the programming of the Parsifal suite a little odd, in that the wonderful music of Act III preceding the Good Friday Spell was omitted completely, and the excision of Amforta's monologue and beginning of the finale sounded a little strange. With a playing time of just over 70 minutes, I think a better choice of programming might have been a recording of all of Parsifal Act III except the passage with Gurnemanz & Kundry. I think the original Dresden version of the Tannhauser Overture does not fit in very well musically with the rest of the CD. I also question having the Tristan excerpts following those of Parsifal, it should perhaps have been done vice versa.Nonetheless the selections offered here are enjoyable and well done."

The best Wagner excerpts program since Karajan

Santa Fe Listener | Santa Fe, NM USA | 09/30/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Can it really be that Wagner orchestral concerts, once a staple of the catalog, are now so rare? James Levine has a good one from the Met on DG that replicaates the usual ovetures an preludes. This collection from Abbado is graced with a rarity--a compilation of orchestral music from Parsifal Act III, the summation of the hero's spiritual journey.



For that music alone, which Abbado conducts gorgeously, with smooth, flowing line and an almost impressoinistic veil of shimmering sound, I am grateful. His style of Wagner is the antithesis of Klemperer's--no granite here, only a seamless river of melody. The Berlin Phil. is, as usual, splendid in Wagner, which Karajan recorded often. This CD is a great contribution to their legacy."

Abbado conducts Wagner in yummy Italian style

dv_forever | Michigan, USA | 08/08/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Definitely not a fan of Abbado myself and I was very skeptical about this recording. Abbado is the denizen of good taste and a cultivated, refined approach at this late stage of his career. We certainly shouldn't expect anything passionate or over the top. But Abbado's more lyrical way with this music works too.



The Tannhauser Overture has been played to death and I'm not exactly expecting Abbado to knock it out of the park or anything. He leads the BPO in a lush, luminious reading and the orchestra sounds great, with plenty of amplification. The brass do not leap out of the orchestra like with the spectacular Solti but instead blend into a velvety sea of sound. It sounds very beautiful. Ultimately I prefer the more grand approach by Solti but I don't find Abbado lacking too much.



The velvety sea of sound that Abbado conjures is even more appropriate for the Parsifal prelude and Act 3 excerpts. The prelude is played too fast and is not allowed to envelope the listener the way Karajan did in his EMI excerpts CD and his complete DG recording. But Abbado's handling of the Act 3 "suite" is very agreeable. Once again, you're not hearing anything amazing but far better than I typically get with Abbado.



Finally on the menu is the Tristan und Isolde Prelude and Liebestod. This selection shows Abbado's weaknesses most of all. He is not a go for broke, sear your soul type of conductor. He is pleasant, warm, gracious and dignified. Obviously we don't receive a heaven and hell, life or death Tristan interpretation. For what it is, it's nice. But I'll go to Karajan, Bohm ( live Bayreuth ), Furtwangler or a multitude of others over Abbado for the Tristan music. Insane passion is just not part of Abbado's personality.



The sound DG provides is very good, far better than the pathetic job they did on Abbado's recent Beethoven cycle. The BPO play like angels, as they should! They are the BPO, you know! Abbado weaves the gorgeous melodies with a light touch and caress. This is very enjoyable, an Italian view of Wagner, not a typically Teutonic one. However, you'll be itching for more Teutonic readings sooner, rather than later."