Interesting to hear your thougths. Many of your favourites happen to be mine as well. Just a minor thing - the 70s Karajan Metamorphosen you recommended is actually the second one, he also did the very first recording of the work with the Vienna Philharmonic in 1947. As for that early digital Ormandy/Philadelphia Zarathustra, I once had that excellent version on LP and I've missed it ever since I threw away my record collection. I thought I could just get it on CD but for some reason it seems to be extremely hard to find.
Good choices overall. I've been listening to Strauss recordings for over 60 years and know the tone poems like old friends. I personally think that a proper grounding requires hearing Strauss's own recordings, most of which are available in modern remasterings with pretty good sound. "Tod and Verklärung" is a piece that has become more meaningful as I get older (in my mid-70's now). You may know the account of Strauss on his deathbed telling his daughter-in-law Alice that dying was just as he had composed it in "Tod and Verklärung" 60 years earlier. Regarding "Till Eulenspiegel," I'm glad you mentioned the video of Furtwängler with the BPO. It's a rare chance to see this legendary conductor at work. My personal favorite Till E is Kempe's 1958 recording with the BPO, which is a bit better articulated than his Staatskapelle Dresden version. Well worth hearing if one isn't familiar with it. Also glad you noted the 1928 Mengelberg NYPO "Ein Heldenleben," which is one every Strauss fan should hear, but often hasn't. Recent restorations have pretty good sound.
Best Strauss tone poem recordings: Also Sprach Zarathustra - Chicago Symphony Fritz Reiner (1962 version) Ensemble and intonation are perfect. Simply the best. Ein Heldenleben - Chicago Symphony Fritz Reiner (1954). Heroic from start to finish. Death and Transfiguration - Karajan/VPO (1960) Karajan/Berlin Philharmonic (1972) Karajan's showpiece. Alpine Symphony - Bavarian Radio Symphony Georg Solti (1979) The radiance after the storm is extremely beautiful. It's the only Solti recording that makes me cry. Dance of the Seven Veils - Chicago Symphony Fritz Reiner (1954) Perfectly paced with the schmatz exactly right. Don Juan - Chicago Symphony Georg Solti (1972) Dashing and virtuosic. Till Eulenspiegel - Chicago Symphony Georg Solti. Amazing virtuosity. Symphonia Domestica - Chicago Symphony Fritz Reiner (1956) The finest. Don Quixote - Fournier, Karajan Berlin Philharmonic The eloquence of Fournier and Karajan. Beautiful collaboration.
I have the Kempe complete set. It is currently available and rather cheaply priced which makes it quote a bargain. After your mention of the great Mahler 5 on the venerated Everest label with the great recording quality, I would offer up my favorite Til and Don Juan coupling...Stokowski leading the NY Phil. He really makes them showpieces of orchestral virtuosity.
I love the Karajan respect here in Strauss. He is basically the strongest across the Straussian repertoire. Other recordings here and there are great (Kempe's Zarathustra and Blomstedt's Alpensinfonie among them - check out the latter for sound quality BTW), but Karajan is just so consistently good in Strauss.
Greetings, Mr. Zilkha, I truly enjoy and appreciate very much all of your videos. Have you done a segment on operas by Richard Strauss? Thank you kindly. Sincerely and respectfully, Gonzalo
I know, slip of the tongue. I noticed it afterwards and corrected it in the subtitles. Things happen when you record for 3-4 straight hours completely off memory.
I rarely agree with your choices but I respect your effort and sincerity. Thank you very much.
Interesting to hear your thougths. Many of your favourites happen to be mine as well. Just a minor thing - the 70s Karajan Metamorphosen you recommended is actually the second one, he also did the very first recording of the work with the Vienna Philharmonic in 1947. As for that early digital Ormandy/Philadelphia Zarathustra, I once had that excellent version on LP and I've missed it ever since I threw away my record collection. I thought I could just get it on CD but for some reason it seems to be extremely hard to find.
Yes, I'm sure the Zubin zealous is a powerhouse! I've got Same Karajan and Maazel
Good choices overall. I've been listening to Strauss recordings for over 60 years and know the tone poems like old friends. I personally think that a proper grounding requires hearing Strauss's own recordings, most of which are available in modern remasterings with pretty good sound. "Tod and Verklärung" is a piece that has become more meaningful as I get older (in my mid-70's now). You may know the account of Strauss on his deathbed telling his daughter-in-law Alice that dying was just as he had composed it in "Tod and Verklärung" 60 years earlier. Regarding "Till Eulenspiegel," I'm glad you mentioned the video of Furtwängler with the BPO. It's a rare chance to see this legendary conductor at work. My personal favorite Till E is Kempe's 1958 recording with the BPO, which is a bit better articulated than his Staatskapelle Dresden version. Well worth hearing if one isn't familiar with it. Also glad you noted the 1928 Mengelberg NYPO "Ein Heldenleben," which is one every Strauss fan should hear, but often hasn't. Recent restorations have pretty good sound.
Thanks for your comments, as always! I appreciate the anecdote about Strauss on his deathbed.
Best Strauss tone poem recordings:
Also Sprach Zarathustra - Chicago Symphony Fritz Reiner (1962 version) Ensemble and intonation are perfect. Simply the best.
Ein Heldenleben - Chicago Symphony Fritz Reiner (1954). Heroic from start to finish.
Death and Transfiguration - Karajan/VPO (1960)
Karajan/Berlin Philharmonic (1972)
Karajan's showpiece.
Alpine Symphony - Bavarian Radio Symphony Georg Solti (1979)
The radiance after the storm is extremely beautiful. It's the only Solti recording that makes me cry.
Dance of the Seven Veils - Chicago Symphony Fritz Reiner (1954)
Perfectly paced with the schmatz exactly right.
Don Juan - Chicago Symphony Georg Solti (1972)
Dashing and virtuosic.
Till Eulenspiegel - Chicago Symphony Georg Solti.
Amazing virtuosity.
Symphonia Domestica - Chicago Symphony Fritz Reiner (1956)
The finest.
Don Quixote - Fournier, Karajan Berlin Philharmonic
The eloquence of Fournier and Karajan. Beautiful collaboration.
I totally agree. Reiner's conception of the work was greatly deepened and refined between '54 and '62.
Where is Blomstedt/SFO ?
All his Strauss recordings from that era are fantastic, as is most everything else he did there .
I have the Kempe complete set. It is currently available and rather cheaply priced which makes it quote a bargain. After your mention of the great Mahler 5 on the venerated Everest label with the great recording quality, I would offer up my favorite Til and Don Juan coupling...Stokowski leading the NY Phil. He really makes them showpieces of orchestral virtuosity.
I love the Karajan respect here in Strauss. He is basically the strongest across the Straussian repertoire. Other recordings here and there are great (Kempe's Zarathustra and Blomstedt's Alpensinfonie among them - check out the latter for sound quality BTW), but Karajan is just so consistently good in Strauss.
Greetings, Mr. Zilkha, I truly enjoy and appreciate very much all of your videos. Have you done a segment on operas by Richard Strauss? Thank you kindly. Sincerely and respectfully, Gonzalo
Not yet. Chamber and piano music are next on the docket, to be followed by vocal.
Strauss Also Sprach 1944 with VPO is incomparable
Not Pancho Villa! It's Sancho Panza!!!😂 Very good choices, by the way!
I know, slip of the tongue. I noticed it afterwards and corrected it in the subtitles. Things happen when you record for 3-4 straight hours completely off memory.