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Wagner: The Great Operas from the Bayreuth Festival (33 Disc Box Set)

Search: Martha
by: Various Artists Orchester der Bayreuther Festspiele Karl Böhm James Levine

Release Date November 05, 2008
I remember back in the days of LP, I had a huge Philips box containing this Dutchman, Tannhauser and the Knappertsbusch Parsifal from the 1960's. I concur with other reviewers that it is a pity Universal Classics has chosen the inferior Levine Parsifal for inclusion here, but the Tannhauser and Dutchman are the same performances conducted by Sawallisch. This time around, Universal adds Mastersinger, Lohengrin, Tristan and a complete Ring! Parsifal excepted, it is still a worthwhile set to have. Overall, all the other performances are fine. The Parsifal is simply bogged down by Levine's conducting. The Sawallisch Dutchman is immediate and gripping, vividly conducted. Silja sings so much better here than she did for Klemperer in the same opera ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 2
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Wagner: Der Ring des Nibelungen

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from: Philips

Release Date August 02, 1994
This is, indeed, a great performance of the Ring, though to my mind not in the same class as Krauss or Furtwangler. In many ways it would be an ideal entry point for someone looking for a single recording of the cycle, but it is important to note that it is not perfect. Part of the delight of the Solti recording is the magnificent scale of the sound (this is a live recording, albeit from Bayreuth), which will draw new listeners in; more annoyingly this set does not have a libretto, which is crucial for people discovering the Ring. If you are new to the Ring, the Solti set is probably a better bet, or go for the wonderful Barenboim DVDs, where you can follow the action visually, and the text through subtitles.

CD-Charts Position 3
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Mozart: Die Entführung aus dem Serail

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from: Decca

Release Date March 10, 1999
Any fan of Mozart who is familier with the film "Amadeus" will recall the scene after this opera was first performed; not well received because it had "too many notes". Its all nonsense of course, because this is one of Mozart's most popular operas. Its a nicely balanced opera despite certain misgivings about one or two of the singers by fans and critics alike. My own view, it works well, is nicely performed and played, and leaves a sense of satisfaction after every hearing. And why shouldnt it? The recording is nice too, and can be bought at a good price. If you want a quiet evening listening to a Mozart opera which lasts barely two hours, you cannot go wrong with this.

CD-Charts Position 4
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Bach: Musikaliches Opfer, BWV.1079

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from: Harmonia Mundi

Release Date December 07, 1992
Any fan of Mozart who is familier with the film "Amadeus" will recall the scene after this opera was first performed; not well received because it had "too many notes". Its all nonsense of course, because this is one of Mozart's most popular operas. Its a nicely balanced opera despite certain misgivings about one or two of the singers by fans and critics alike. My own view, it works well, is nicely performed and played, and leaves a sense of satisfaction after every hearing. And why shouldnt it? The recording is nice too, and can be bought at a good price. If you want a quiet evening listening to a Mozart opera which lasts barely two hours, you cannot go wrong with this.

CD-Charts Position 5
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Bach: Musical Offering

Search: Martha
by: Jaap ter Linden

Release Date April 01, 1988
Any fan of Mozart who is familier with the film "Amadeus" will recall the scene after this opera was first performed; not well received because it had "too many notes". Its all nonsense of course, because this is one of Mozart's most popular operas. Its a nicely balanced opera despite certain misgivings about one or two of the singers by fans and critics alike. My own view, it works well, is nicely performed and played, and leaves a sense of satisfaction after every hearing. And why shouldnt it? The recording is nice too, and can be bought at a good price. If you want a quiet evening listening to a Mozart opera which lasts barely two hours, you cannot go wrong with this.