Wagner: Orchestral excerpts from the operas (Rec 1992)

"If ever there were a case for live recording, this is it. Every bar of these performances is filled with the extra adrenalin that one expects at a really memorable concert. Tennstedt's are traditional readings: the Meistersinger Overture is taken at a broad, steady pace, with the usual ritardandi at the end, and how magnificent its sounds! Rienzi, too, is uninhibited with a glorious dallying on the big tune at the opening; and the paired excerpts from Götterdämmerung are spaciously histrionic, the thundering chords of the Funeral music splendidly sinister.
The Venusberg Music is played with real sensuous allure by the LPO strings, and throughout the orchestra is on top form. The only slight disappointment is that the concert ends there - almost in mid-air. It would have been better to reorder the programme to close with the Ride of the Valkyries, with its justified applause.

The recording has splendid amplitude. I don't remember the acoustic of the Festival Hall sounding as sumptous as this when I was recently there but the ambience certainly suits Wagner. The only real criticism is that the dynamic range is far narrower than it would be in a studio recording. Was that because this was taken from a broadcast? No matter - it's a great listening experience; Wagner to wallow in!"
(Gramophone Magazine)

Wagner's celebrated output for the opera house resulted not only in some staggering stage works, but also in unparalleled orchestral achievements. His operatic overtures, preludes and interludes have acquired a status as stand-alone concert works in their own right. Klaus Tennstedt was totally dedicated to the London Philharmonic Orchestra - a dedication which was reciprocated by the Orchestra's musicians, staff and audiences, and which pervades these live performances from 1992.

All excerpts recorded live at the Royal Albert Hall, London, on 20 August 1992.