This magnificent and massive score has never been heard with greater clarity or intensity... Thanks to Karl Bohm's insistence on not pushing or rushing it!
I have always loved these Unitel films of this period. The behind the scenes extras are really wonderful. This opera, like so many others, once you get the orchestra going, often they take the reins, and the conductor is really just there to try and keep them in sync.
What a voice killing speed, especially for something this heavy. Stodgy pudding conducting. A shame because his Gotterdammerung with Nilsson from Bayreuth is so fleeting and alive.
He was about to die, and apparently a lot of the recording was done by his assistant. His other recordings of Elektra, live and in studio, are extremely high voltage.
What a shame that this wasn't made when Böhm was closer to his prime. It's a valiant effort but not what it would have been. But Rysanek is extraordinary.
All the good tempos for this were taken by Solti already. Bohm looks like he's past it here, unfortuately, and this is slow and sludgy. I dearly love his contributions in general, but this is unconvincing. I'm amazed at how casually people move around the room during a take, even if there's a huge amount of noise going on. I think there was possibly way too much money sloshing around classical music at the time, and this is relevant to how work-a-day such a huge endeavour seems to be to the assembled company.
@@RattusYu Yeah..considered that..possible, but what kind of priority is that?? I was thinking the tape seems really jumpy and possibly slow..does badly running video-tape alter pitch, do you think?
Actually the perfect tempi were found by Carlos Kleiber, the only conductor to date who has taken seriously Strauss' injunction to play the score as if it were Mendelssohn's fairy music. C. Kleiber's live Elektras with Ingrid Steger and Birgit Nilsson are perfection.
Which is ironic because the opera is enriched with expressive bustle, changes of temperament and needs everything except silence. And Ligendza is more dramatic as Chrysomethis than Rysanek. The whole production is a mess.
That orchestra is beautiful, relentless and overwhelming
Bohm never rushes the orchestra. Masterful conducting.
Agree.
This magnificent and massive score has never been heard with greater clarity or intensity...
Thanks to Karl Bohm's insistence on not pushing or rushing it!
He was very old and frail.
capolavoro!!! grandissimo immenso Bohm
MAGNIFIQUE
I have always loved these Unitel films of this period. The behind the scenes extras are really wonderful. This opera, like so many others, once you get the orchestra going, often they take the reins, and the conductor is really just there to try and keep them in sync.
Wow!😁
The only time she sang the title role of Elektra!
And it´s good she never did it again.
Who is that really good-looking sub-conductor/assistant of Karl Bohm?
And who is this handsome man?!
What a voice killing speed, especially for something this heavy. Stodgy pudding conducting. A shame because his Gotterdammerung with Nilsson from Bayreuth is so fleeting and alive.
He was about to die, and apparently a lot of the recording was done by his assistant. His other recordings of Elektra, live and in studio, are extremely high voltage.
What a shame that this wasn't made when Böhm was closer to his prime. It's a valiant effort but not what it would have been. But Rysanek is extraordinary.
Give Bohm a break. He was at death's door.
Notice how little Böhm has to do
What dirge. Give me Solti any day over this!
Not me
I agree
Now I know why singers love Strauss---you can flat or sharp all you want and no one cares!
More like Rysanek thought she could get away with it. I was never a fan. Ligendza on the other hand is pitch perfect.
Too slow, Strauss would be mad.
All the good tempos for this were taken by Solti already. Bohm looks like he's past it here, unfortuately, and this is slow and sludgy. I dearly love his contributions in general, but this is unconvincing.
I'm amazed at how casually people move around the room during a take, even if there's a huge amount of noise going on. I think there was possibly way too much money sloshing around classical music at the time, and this is relevant to how work-a-day such a huge endeavour seems to be to the assembled company.
I dont know if it was slowed down specifically for the film and maybe he would use a different tempo for a live.
@@RattusYu Yeah..considered that..possible, but what kind of priority is that??
I was thinking the tape seems really jumpy and possibly slow..does badly running video-tape alter pitch, do you think?
It's Bohm's last performance though, so this must have a significance for him.
Actually the perfect tempi were found by Carlos Kleiber, the only conductor to date who has taken seriously Strauss' injunction to play the score as if it were Mendelssohn's fairy music. C. Kleiber's live Elektras with Ingrid Steger and Birgit Nilsson are perfection.
@@jasonhurd4379 why yes, Strauß’ Elektra certainly reminds me of Mendelssohn fairy music…. 😂😂
Böhm was too feeble to take his accustomed brisk tempi. There is no tension or excitement here.
Agreed. What do you think of Rysanek as Elektra?
Which is ironic because the opera is enriched with expressive bustle, changes of temperament and needs everything except silence. And Ligendza is more dramatic as Chrysomethis than Rysanek. The whole production is a mess.
@@ER1CwC She sounds like always - the high notes aren´t there and her singing is hoarse, not free. But that´s her "style".
Preferisco Solti