FURTWÄNGLER AT COVENT GARDEN, 1937: EXCERPTS FROM DIE WALKÜRE AND GÖTTERDÄMMERUNG
CD-1035(2)

Available only as MP3 download from ONLINE CLASSICS      

Henry Fogel writes: " ...excerpts from Covent Garden conducted by Furtwangler (originally recorded as HMV test pressings, but never issued commercially by HMV). This means all of Act III of Walküre with Flagstad and Bockelmann, and about 75 minutes worth of Götterdammerüng excerpts with Flagstad, Melchior, Thorborg and others. These brilliant performances have been available before (the Walkure on Myto, Grammofono 2000, Acanta and Pallette CDs, and the Götterdammerüng on Acanta and Pallette CDs). I have directly compared the new M&A with Myto, Grammofono 2000 and Acanta CDs, as well as a variety of LP versions -- and there is no question about the new release's significant superiority. I've always been a Myto fan, but clearly M&A got ahold of a better source, and/or treated it more carefully. Maggi Payne, who has done some of M&A's most consistently good transfer work, has made a miracle of clarity and openness here. Even if you have these performances in older versions, if you treasure them you will find the new M&A release essential."

"The performances, without a doubt, belong in every Wagnerian's collection. These discs capture some of the greatest performers in the history of music at their peak. Flagstad, Muller, Bockelmann, Melchior, Thorberg, Janssen, and Weber, under Furtwangler's direction, quite simply created musical history. "

--Tom Illgen, In Tune

"The ease with which Flagstsd produces her stunningly powerful, clear brilliant tones-brilliant from top to bottom-is beyond the reach of any Wagnerian soprano active today. Furtwangler was probably the best Wagner conductor. He is heard here at the very zenith of his powers... must be heard to be believed." --John P. McKelevey in American Record Guide "The young Flagstad sings with a matchlessly even, full tone and line that no Wagnerian soprano can produce today..."

--Alan Blyth in Opera

"...Performances of overwhelming power and intensity. The Flagstad-Melchior combination was untouchable in Wagner, and Furtwangler was perhaps the greatest of all Wagner conductors. All are captured here in their prime...No Wagnerian or lover of great singing can afford to miss this."

--Dan Davis in Amazon.com

Critic John Ardoin writes in his authoritative The Furtwängler Record (Portland, 1994): "The 1937 Act III of Die Walküre is Furtwängler's most exciting and theatrical account of this music, with all the music's rhythms and emotions sharpened to a glistening point. He is staunchly abetted by Flagstad's heroic Brünnhilde, Rudolf  Bockelmann's vivid Wotan, and an orchestra well practiced in this music under both Furtwängler and Sir Thomas Beecham."

"There is nothing like this elsewhere for sheer beauty and command... Not a set you'll want to miss."

--Dan Davis in Microsoft Music Reviews

"[Flagstad's] voice is awe-inspiring. The Immolation Scene is a feast of full-throated, perfectly pitched singing. Or listen to the beautiful repeated Es as she pleads to Wotan. Furtwangler's speeds are fast by today's standards, but what dynamism, what intensity of line and dramatic expression."

--David Cairns, London Times

"The sound is clear and undistorted, with well-defined bass and commendable response at the high end. ...this is a splendid release, really essential for all serious Wagnerians in view of the sheer excellence and total commitment of everyone involved. The ease with which Flagstsd produces her stunningly powerful, clear brilliant tones (brilliant from top to bottom) is beyond the reach of any Wagnerian soprano active today. Furtwängler was probably the best Wagner conductor. He is heard here at the very zenith of his powers, cajoling a rich, sonorous, delicately poised and balanced sound from Beechamıs LPO..."

--John P. McKelevey, American Record Guide

CD-1035(2)    FURTWÄNGLER AT COVENT GARDEN, 1937: EXCERPTS FROM DIE WALKÜRE AND GÖTTERDÄMMERUNG. From the performance of 26 May 1937, Die Walküre: Act III complete with Kirsten Flagstad (Brünnhilde), Maria Müller (Sieglinde), Elsa Stenning (Helmwige), Mae Graven (Gerhilde), Thelma Bardsley (Ortlinde), Linda Seymour (Waltruate), Edith Coates (Siegrune), Evelyn Arden, Rossweise), Gladys Garside (Grimgerde), Gladys Ripley (Schwertleite), Rudolf Bockelmann (Wotan), and London Philharmonic. From the performance of 1 June 1937, excerpts from the Götterdammerüng with Kirsten Flagstad (Brünnhilde), Maria Nezadal (Gutrune), Kerstin Thorborg (Waltraute), Lauritz Melchior (Siegfried), Herbert Janssen (Gunther), Ludwig Weber (Hagen), Covent Garden Chorus, and London Philharmonic.

Timings:  CD 1: 76:41. CD 2: 78:46.      (AAD)  UPC # 017685-10352-0

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