RICHARD WAGNER
Wagner: Parsifal (Complete Opera recorded in 1979/80) Peter Hofmann, Dunja Vejzovic, Kurt Moll, José van Dam, Siegmund Nimsgern / Berliner Philharmoniker, Herbert von Karajan [ Deutsche Grammophon / 4 CD Box Set - released 4/Jun/2021 ] The finest of all the principal singers is surely the Gurnemanz of Kurt Moll, a wonderful blend of bel canto and Lieder singing, the voice a true bass, perfectly poised and projected, finely nuanced, ever attentive to the colour and meaning of words |
PYOTR ILYICH TCHAIKOVSKY
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Tchaikovsky: Symphony No 6 "Pathetique" / Swan Lake - Suite Philharmonia Orchestra, Herbert von Karajan [ Warner Classics Redline / CD - released 10/Feb/2019 ] Great romantic emotion coupled with vigorous temperament was the trademark of conducting legend Herbert von Karajan. His readings of Tchaikovsky's dramatic last symphony and the thrilling "Swan Lake" suite are perfect examples of his approach. |
GIACOMO PUCCINI
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Puccini: Tosca (complete opera recorded in 1962) Leontyne Price, Giuseppe di Stefano, Giuseppe Taddei, Fernando Corena / Wiener Staatsopernchor & Wiener Philharmoniker, Herbert von Karajan [ Decca Originals / 2 CD Box Set - released 1/Nov/2014 ] "It remains one of the finest versions, with Leontyne Price at the peak of her form and Di Stefano singing most sensitively. But Karajan deserves equal credit with the principal singers, and the sound is first class." (Penguin Guide) |
LUDWIG van BEETHOVEN
Beethoven: Symphonies No. 5 & 9 (Blu-ray) René Kollo, Anna Tomowa-Simtow, Agnes Baltsa, José van Dam / Choir of the Deutsche Oper, Berliner Philharmoniker, Herbert von Karajan [ EuroArts Blu-ray / Blu-ray - released 6/May/2022 ] This important visual document provides a rare insight into the way in which 'das Wunder Karajan' fashioned his unique style. The roused interpretation of Beethoven's most popular symphony, Symphony No. 9 with the Berliner Philharmoniker was recorded... |
MONTEVERDI / CARISSIMI / DVORAK / HUMPERDINCK / R. STRAUSS
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Soprano Duets Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Urmgard Seefried (sopranos) with Gerald Moore, Herbert von Karajan, Josef Krips [ EMI Classics / CD - released 10/Sep/1988 ] Irmgard Seefried said, "I sang a great deal with Elisabeth and was fortunate - not everybody was - in establishing an excellent rapport with her" |
CHRISTOPHER TIN
Christopher Tin: Calling All Dawns Soweto Gospel Choir, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, with Frederica von Stade, Anonymous 4, Sussan Deyhim [ Decca / CD - released 2/Aug/2009 ] Twelve songs are featured on the album, each sung in a different language. Many of the lyrics find their sources in important pieces of world literature, including excerpts of long works such as the Hebrew Bible, the Bhagavad Gita, and The Rubaiyat. |
RICHARD WAGNER
Wagner: Lohengrin (complete opera recorded in 2018) Staatsoper Stuttgart / Michaël König, Simone Schneider, Martin Gantner, Okka von der Damerau / Cornelius Meister [ Bel Air Classiques DVD / DVD - released 20/Nov/2020 ] What are heroes made of and why do our societies need them so badly ? At the Staatsoper Stuttgart, stage director Árpád Schilling tries to answer this mythological, political and existential question, lying at the core of Richard Wagner's Lohengrin.... |
JACK HEGGIE
Heggie: Dead Man Walking (Complete Opera) Susan Graham, Frederica von Stade, John Packard / San Francisco Opera [ Elektra / Asylum Records / 2 CD - released 3/Mar/2002 ] A live recording of this critically acclaimed opera |
GIACOMO PUCCINI
Puccini: La Boheme (Complete opera directed by Franco Zeffirelli in 1965) Teatro alla Scala Opera / Mirella Freni / Adriane Martino / Gianni Raimondi / Herbert von Karajan (cond) [ Deutsche Grammophon / Unitel DVD / DVD - released 15/Jun/2006 ] "A Bohème you can believe in." (The New York Times) |
JEROME KERN
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Kern: Show Boat (Highlights from the musical) Teresa Stratas, Frederica von Stade, Jerry Hadley / Ambrosian Chorus / London Sinfonietta / John McGlinn [ EMI / CD - released 1/Sep/2006 ] This lavish studio reconstruction of the original score was lovingly and thoroughly put together by John McGlinn, who brought in such opera singers as Frederica von Stade and Jerry Hadley, backed by The London Sinfonietta. |
JOSEF HAYDN
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Haydn: Italian Arias Thomas Quasthoff (bass-baritone) Genia KAhmeier (soprano) / Freiburger Barockorchester / Gottfried von der Golz [ Deutsche Grammophon / CD - released 10/Dec/2008 ] Gramophone Award Finalist 2009: Recital - "Quasthoff does Haydn's neglected operatic music proud in a fine recital." (Gramophone Editor's Choice April 2009) |
GEORGE FRIDERIC HANDEL
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Handel: Handel Gold Various Artists: Kiri Te Kanawa (soprano), Crispian Steele-Perkins (trumpet), Cecilia Bartoli, Plácido Domingo, Joan Sutherland, Anne Sofie von Otter [ Decca Music Group / 2 CD - released 9/Mar/2009 ] "This is not really an issue to ponder too much in depth, rather lean back, shut one's eyes and just enjoy. Those who find the repertoire to their liking can rest assured that the performances are fully worthy of the music." (MusicWeb June 2009) |
W. A. MOZART
Mozart: Opera Arias Cynthia Sieden, Charlotte Margiono, Anne Sofie von Otter, Rodney Gilfry, Bryn Terfel, Gerald Finley / English Baroque Soloists, Sir John Eliot Gardin [ Archiv Deutsche Grammophon Virtuoso / CD - released 8/Oct/2012 ] "Gardiner's Mozartian style is well sprung and subtly moulded rather than severe. The principals sing beautifully...The electrifying singing of the Monteverdi Choir adds to the dramatic bite." Penguin Guide |
VARIOUS COMPOSERS
Golden Age Of Light Music: From the Vintage Vaults Various Artists incls Edward Elgar, Haydn Wood, Marek Weber, Arthur Wood, Barnabas von Geczy, Ernst Fischer, etc [ Guild Light Music / CD - released 1/Sep/2016 ] The title of this CD could almost apply to every release in Guild's "Golden Age of Light Music" series so far, because our mission is to make available once again those recordings which have been neglected for far too long, and are no longer... |
W. A. MOZART
Mozart for My Baby Various Artists incls Sabine Meyer, Christian Zacharias, Manuel Barrueco, Herbert von karajan, etc [ Warner Classics Inspiration Series / CD - released 1/Apr/2015 ] A perfect program for young music lovers! Feed your child's mind and imagination with this fun journey through some of the world's most beautiful enjoyable music. |
PIETRO MASCAGNI / RUGGERO LEONCAVALLO
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Mascagni/Leoncavallo: Cavalleria Rusticana / Pagliacci (complete operas recorded in 1960/62 with libretto) Victoria de los Angeles, Lucine Amara, Franco Corelli, Tito Gobbi / Opera Roma, Gabriele Santini, Teatro alla Scala, Lovro von Matacic [ EMI Classics / 2 CD - released 1/Mar/1991 ] "With Met stalwart Lucine Amara a strong Nedda this is one of the most bloodcurdling recordings of this finale." Musicweb (on Pagliacci) |
PYOTR Il'yich TCHAIKOVSKY
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Tchaikovsky: Ballet Suites: Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, Herbert von Karajan [ Decca Ovation / CD - released 27/Oct/1990 ] ."can be recommended without reservation." (Gramophone) |
CARL ORFF
Ein Sommernachtstraum (Midsummer Night's Dream) Andreas Haun, Barbara Böhler & Christian Arndt Sanchez / Andechser Orff-Akademie des Münchner Rundfunkorchesters, Christian von Gehren [ CPO / 2 CD Box Set - released 25/Jul/2011 ] "Orff's music impresses me greatly. He may be criticised for the simplicity of his musical style; but, even if that was ever a fault, it surely produces something eminently appropriate here. Though obviously written specifically for Schlegel's German |
Andrew Von Oeyen
Liszt: Piano Music [ Delos / CD - released 29/Aug/2011 ] |