Search - Richard [Classical] Wagner, Mariss Jansons, Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra :: Wagner: Overture and Orchestral Music

A good sampling of Wagner for newcomers....

timpman90@hotmail.com | Morris, IL | 06/04/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Originally released on EMI/Angel in 1992, and re-released later on Red Line Classics, this is a good compilation for those who are not that familiar with the music of Wagner. Particularly well done is the Overture to Rienzi,which has just the right amount of gravitas in the introduction and the right amount of energy in the section following. Orchestral sound here is very good. The Tannhauser Overture is also well played and presented, as is the Prelude and Liebestod from Tristan und Isolde. The other items are well played, with the possible exception of the Prelude to Act III of Lohengrin, which seems a little breathless and hurried. I wish they had recorded the Prelude to Act I as well!"

Hear the best of Wagner, and save time leaving the rest behi

Sherri L. Miller | Palm City, FL USA | 08/08/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Having experienced Wagner firsthand as an adolscent performing in a youth symphony, I fell in love with some of Wagner's overtures, but am not patient enough nor a big enough fan to sit for hours to listen to an entire Wagner discography. While my classical music colleagues and Wagner afficionados may cringe at this statement, if you are pressed for time and want to hear some of the best of Wagner, this affordable CD is for you. The Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra offers a more than competent performance, complete with the modern briskness heard in the performance of most overtures today. My favorite Wagner overture, Tannhauser, comes alive with a bright, florid sound and is pleasantly inspiring. Reccomended to those new to Wagner, to those like me who enjoy some of Wagner, and to all but true Wagner lovers who will want a more complete collection."