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Helen Traubel And Lauritz Melchior Sing Wagner

Sony

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1. Rienzi, der Letzte der Tribunen, opera, WWV 49: Allmacht'ger Vater, blick' herab
2. Lohengrin, opera, WWV 75: Einsam in tr�ben Tagen (Elsa's Dream)
3. Lohengrin, opera, WWV 75: Nun sei bedankt, mein lieber Schwan (Lohengrin's Arrival)
4. Lohengrin, opera, WWV 75: Mein Held, mein Retter
5. Lohengrin, opera, WWV 75: Euch L�ften
6. Lohengrin, opera, WWV 75: Das s�sse lied verhallt (Bridal chamber Scene)
7. Tristan und Isolde, opera, WWV 90: Prelude to Act I
8. Tristan und Isolde, opera, WWV 90: Erfuhrest du meine Schmach (Isolde's Narrative)
9. Tristan und Isolde, opera, WWV 90: O sink hernieder, Nacht der Liebe (Liebesnacht)
10. Tristan und Isolde, opera, WWV 90: O K�nig
11. Tristan und Isolde, opera, WWV 90: Prelude to Act III
12. Tristan und Isolde, opera, WWV 90: Die alte Weise
13. Tristan und Isolde, opera, WWV 90: O diese Sonne!
14. Tristan und Isolde, opera, WWV 90: Liebestod

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UNA JOYA

Estos discos vienen presentados en un envoltorio no habitual: en lugar del típico estuche de plástico se utiliza una fina funda de cartón (no sin abundantes reseñas). Otra particularidad es que en ninguno de los fragmentos cantan a dúo Melchior y Traubel: siempre son acompañados, el uno o la otra, de un tercer cantante (de un nivel, por lo general, no comparable) que hace pareja con uno de los "protagonistas". Aunque también hay números en solitario y fragmentos exclusivamente orquestales. Dicho ésto hay que afirmar que los dos discos son de un nivel de calidad más que excepcional, de una altura superior a lo mejor de lo que se suele conocer, incluso en los preludios orquestales (magníficos). Hay más de 90 minutos de Tristán e Isolda que, después de oírlos, dejan a uno sin las ganas de escuchar a Karl Böhm o a Furtwängler (por maravillosas que sean estas versiones). También un soberbio fragmento de "Rienzi", cantado por Melchior, y unos cuantos tracks de Lohengrin de gran calidad.

The greatest Wagnerian tenor and soprano at their peak

Although as billed this 2 cd album would seem to indicate we were going to get a series of duets between these two greats, these are Columbia studio recordings of the forties and the two sing separately, never together. (RCA has kept its two Melchior/Traubel duets - with Toscanini - consistently in print on LP, tape and CD as well as Traubel's Immolation Scene). The Columbia material here is drawn from 78 rpm albums, released as lps and then unavailable for a quarter of a century - restored to us at last. The set lasts two hours and seventeen minutes with Melchior getting the lion's share of one hour and fifteen minutes and Traubel following up with 62 minutes of singing.

This of course represents the much-mourned "bleeding chunk" variety of Wagnerian recordings which were all that we had available in pre-lp days. Except for one excerpt from RIENZI, the material is all from two operas LOHENGRIN and TRISTAN UND ISOLDE. Too bad some digital wizardry could not have been performed to replace Traubel's Tristan (Torsten Ralf) with Melchior but alas they didn't cover the same material so even digital wizardry could not help us here.

Recordings of Met broadcasts with the two paired in TRISTAN do exist and why they are not cd is a puzzlement.

The strength and purity of line of both Melchior and Traubel are unsurpassed. There was never a warmer Wagnerian soprano than Traubel and she is always totally on pitch - her notes are perfectly sung and her line is unwavering. I can't understand how people can hear Flagstad (who always left me cold) and Traubel and proclaim the former to be warmer. It simply isn't true. Traubel is velvet - for me simply the finest Wagnerian soprano ever recorded.

This is a treasure trove set and budget-priced. The digital transfers of the original mono sound are superb. Very highly recommended.

Extradordinary issue of classic recordings

Even a non-Wagnerian will rejoice at hearing these discs, highlighting the work of the two best Wagner singers of the 20th Century, Melchior and Traubel, in their prime. The Traubel "Liebestod" alone is worth the price of admission! Here she uses her extraordinary vocal instrument to thrilling effect. Her prodigious technique, incredible breath control unmatched by today's singers, clear diction and rock solid intonation are glorious to hear. Her extraordinary performance is matched by Rodzinski's conducting of the New York Philharmonic.

Sony's remasterings are splendid. During the mid '40's Columbia was experimenting with various long playing formats, resulting of course in the "microgroove" records of 1948. All recordings from 1944 on were recorded on large 16 inch discs in anticipation of this breakthrough. As a result the original masters on these CD's are possessed of extraordinary clarity and richness.

A must have

Anyone who loves Wagner cannot be without this priceless issue. Two of this century's greatest Wagnerian singers at their artistic peaks singing these masterful selections with aplomb, intensity and a brilliant vocal technique that would dazzle even the staunchest anti-Wagnerian. Ms. Trauble's "Liebstod" is so exquisite and electrifying that you'll never again want to hear another singer utter those haunting words, including Nilsson, Flagstad, M. Price, Behrens and Lehman, just to name a few. As great as all those ladies were in the role, Helen Trauble just manages to infuse it with a greater sense of passion and pathos. What can be said about Lauritz Melchior except that he was the only "true" heldentenor of this century, with a powerful instrument that was used with innate intelligence and artistry? No one (least of all today) can hold a candle to this brilliant singer and seriously doubt his lofty position will be threatened anytime in the immediate future. Though mono recordings, the sound quality is EXTRAORDINARY. Bravo to Sony for their unyielding commitment to restoring these priceless recordings and bringing them to a new generation of music lovers.

Another triumph for the Masterworks Heritage Series

Listening to these beautifully remastered recordings gives you an excellent idea of what people mean when they talk about the "golden years" of opera. Melchior in particular lives up to his reputation as the greatest heldentenor of the century. Traubel's performances show why she was the Met's Wagnerian soprano of choice after Flagstad's departure. The set includes the usual excellent liner notes and packaging that we've come to expect from Sony/Columbia in this wonderful series of reissues. While the recordings date from the 1940s, they have been cleaned up and the mono sound is rich and warm.