Essential Wagner / Various: Essential Wagner / Various
Title: Essential Wagner / Various
Artist: Essential Wagner / Various
Label: Warner Classics
Product Type: COMPACT DISCS
UPC: 5099968859725
Genre: Classical Artists
Essential Wagner is a double-disc compilation of excerpts from the music dramas of Richard Wagner, selected from EMI's substantial backlist and featuring many artists from the label's roster from the 1960s to the 2000s. This package represents many of the best-known selections, but it is by no means exhaustive or even broad enough for the beginner, for several missing pieces come to mind: the "Venusberg Music" and the "Entry of the Guests" from "Tannhäuser," the Prelude to Act III and the "Dance of the Apprentices" from "Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg," the Prelude to "Das Rheingold," "Magic Fire Music" from "Die Walküre," "Forest Murmurs" from "Siegfried," "Siegfried's Rhine Journey" from "Die Götterdämmerung," and the "Transformation Scene" and "Good Friday Music" from "Parsifal." These all deserved inclusion, but were left out because there are too many possibilities to fit on only two CDs. That might seem a minor point to raise over an essentials album, for surely the pieces included here are among the most significant, and the performances are far from mediocre. Even so, dabbling in Wagner's music might not be the best way to get to know the composer. Certainly any greatest-hits package can introduce newcomers to Wagner's works, and this one surely whets one's appetite. But it's unwise to suggest that his vast output can be reduced to essentials, for the purchase of this incomplete sampler will necessitate getting several others just to cover all the concert extracts. Listeners should not stop at this collection, but should move on to explore complete works. Perhaps more than other composers, Wagner demands a serious commitment to his concepts and philosophy of music, and anthologies can never replace the full experience of his expansive music dramas.
Tracks:
1.1 Der Fliegende Holländer: Overture London Philharmonic Orchestra/Sir Adrian Boult
1.2 Summ' Und Brumm', Du Gutes Rädchen (Der Fliegende Holländer: Spinnerinnen-Chor, 2. Akt) (1990 Remaster) Chor Der Bayerischen Staatsoper München/Bayerisches Staatsorchester/Robert Heger
1.3 Der Fliegende Holländer: Johohoe! Traft Ihr Das Schiff (Senta's Ballad) (Act II) Jessye Norman/John McCarthy/Klaus Tennstedt
1.4 Steuermann, Laß Die Wacht (Der Fliegende Holländer: Matrosenchor, 3. Akt) (1990 Remaster) Chor Der Bayerischen Staatsoper München/Bayerisches Staatsorchester/Robert Heger
1.5 Tannhäuser: Overture Mariss Jansons
1.6 Tannhäuser: Dich, Teure Halle, GRÜSS' Ich Wieder (Elisabeth's Greeting) (Act II) Jessye Norman/Klaus Tennstedt
1.7 Tannhäuser · Romantische Oper in 3 Akten (Dresdner Fassung), Dritter Akt (Tal Vor Der Wartburg): Wie Todesahnung - Oh Du Mein Holder Abendstern (Wolfram) Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau/Orchester Der Staatsoper Berlin/Franz Konwitschny
1.8 Beglückt Darf Nun Dich, O Heimat (Tannhäuser: Pilgerchor, 3. Akt) (1990 Remaster) Chor Der Bayerischen Staatsoper München/Bayerisches Staatsorchester/Robert Heger
1.9 Lohengrin (1989 Digital Remaster): Vorspiel (Prelude), 1. Aufzug New Philharmonia Orchestra/Sir Adrian Boult
1.10 Lohengrin: Einsam in Trüben Tagen (Elsa's Dream) Hildegard Behrens/Peter Schneider/Münchner Rundfunkorchester
1.11 Lohengrin - Acte II : Entweihte Gotter (Remasterisé en 2003) Rita Gorr - Orchestre Du Theatre National de L'opera de Paris - André Cluytens
1.12 Lohengrin: Prelude to Act III Klaus Tennstedt/Berliner Philharmoniker
1.13 Treulich Geführt (Lohengrin: Brautchor, 3. Akt) (1990 Remaster) Chor Der Bayerischen Staatsoper München/Bayerisches Staatsorchester/Robert Heger
2.1 Lohengrin (2000 Digital Remaster): In Fernem Land (Act 3) Nicolai Gedda/Orchester Der Bayerischen Staatsoper München/Heinrich Bender
2.2 Prologue: Das Rheingold, Scene IV: Abendlich Strahlt Die Sonne (Wotan/Fricke) James Morris/Marjana Lipovsek/Symphonieorchester Des Bayerischen Rundfunks/Bernard Haitink
2.3 First Day: Die Walkure, Act 1: Winderstrürme Wichen Dem Wonnemond (Siegmund) Bernard Haitink/Symphonieorchester Des Bayerischen Rundfunks/Reiner Goldberg
2.4 First Day: Die Walkure, Act 1: Du Bist Der Lenz (Sieglinde) Bernard Haitink/Symphonieorchester Des Bayerischen Rundfunks/Cheryl Studer
2.5 First Day: Die Walkure, Act 1: Oh Süsseste Wonne! Bernard Haitink/Symphonieorchester Des Bayerischen Rundfunks/Cheryl Studer/Reiner Goldberg
2.6 First Day: Die Walkure, Act 1: Siegmund Heiss Ich (Siegmund/Sieglinde) Bernard Haitink/Symphonieorchester Des Bayerischen Rundfunks/Cheryl Studer/Reiner Goldberg
2.7 Die Walküre: Walkürenritt (The Ride of the Valkyries) (Act III) Klaus Tennstedt/Berliner Philharmoniker
2.8 Siegfried, Act 1: Nothung! Nothung! Neidliches Schwert! (Siegfried/Mime) Siegfried Jerusalem/Peter Haage/Bernard Haitink/Symphonieorchester Des Bayerischen Rundfunks
2.9 Götterdämmerung (1975 Digital Remaster): Siegfried's Funeral March London Philharmonic Orchestra/Sir Adrian Boult
2.10 Die Meistersinger Von Nürnberg (1989 Digital Remaster): Vorspiel (Prelude), 1. Aufzug New Philharmonia Orchestra/Sir Adrian Boult
2.11 Die Meistersinger Von Nürnberg, Dritter Akt/Act 3/Troisieme Scene, Fünfte Szene/Scene 5/Cinquième Scène: 'Morgenlich Leuchtend in Rosigem Schein' (Walther/Volk/Die Meister/Sachs/Pogner/Eva) Bernd Weikl/Ben Heppner/Siegfried Lorenz/Cheryl Studer/Cornelia
2.12 Tristan Und Isolde (1988 Digital Remaster), Act 2: O Sink Hernieder Helga Dernesch/Jon Vickers/Christa Ludwig/Berliner Philharmoniker/Herbert Von Karajan
2.13 Tristan Und Isolde: Mild Und Leise (Liebestod) Hildegard Behrens/Peter Schneider/Münchner Rundfunkorchester
Artist: Essential Wagner / Various
Label: Warner Classics
Product Type: COMPACT DISCS
UPC: 5099968859725
Genre: Classical Artists
Essential Wagner is a double-disc compilation of excerpts from the music dramas of Richard Wagner, selected from EMI's substantial backlist and featuring many artists from the label's roster from the 1960s to the 2000s. This package represents many of the best-known selections, but it is by no means exhaustive or even broad enough for the beginner, for several missing pieces come to mind: the "Venusberg Music" and the "Entry of the Guests" from "Tannhäuser," the Prelude to Act III and the "Dance of the Apprentices" from "Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg," the Prelude to "Das Rheingold," "Magic Fire Music" from "Die Walküre," "Forest Murmurs" from "Siegfried," "Siegfried's Rhine Journey" from "Die Götterdämmerung," and the "Transformation Scene" and "Good Friday Music" from "Parsifal." These all deserved inclusion, but were left out because there are too many possibilities to fit on only two CDs. That might seem a minor point to raise over an essentials album, for surely the pieces included here are among the most significant, and the performances are far from mediocre. Even so, dabbling in Wagner's music might not be the best way to get to know the composer. Certainly any greatest-hits package can introduce newcomers to Wagner's works, and this one surely whets one's appetite. But it's unwise to suggest that his vast output can be reduced to essentials, for the purchase of this incomplete sampler will necessitate getting several others just to cover all the concert extracts. Listeners should not stop at this collection, but should move on to explore complete works. Perhaps more than other composers, Wagner demands a serious commitment to his concepts and philosophy of music, and anthologies can never replace the full experience of his expansive music dramas.
Tracks:
1.1 Der Fliegende Holländer: Overture London Philharmonic Orchestra/Sir Adrian Boult
1.2 Summ' Und Brumm', Du Gutes Rädchen (Der Fliegende Holländer: Spinnerinnen-Chor, 2. Akt) (1990 Remaster) Chor Der Bayerischen Staatsoper München/Bayerisches Staatsorchester/Robert Heger
1.3 Der Fliegende Holländer: Johohoe! Traft Ihr Das Schiff (Senta's Ballad) (Act II) Jessye Norman/John McCarthy/Klaus Tennstedt
1.4 Steuermann, Laß Die Wacht (Der Fliegende Holländer: Matrosenchor, 3. Akt) (1990 Remaster) Chor Der Bayerischen Staatsoper München/Bayerisches Staatsorchester/Robert Heger
1.5 Tannhäuser: Overture Mariss Jansons
1.6 Tannhäuser: Dich, Teure Halle, GRÜSS' Ich Wieder (Elisabeth's Greeting) (Act II) Jessye Norman/Klaus Tennstedt
1.7 Tannhäuser · Romantische Oper in 3 Akten (Dresdner Fassung), Dritter Akt (Tal Vor Der Wartburg): Wie Todesahnung - Oh Du Mein Holder Abendstern (Wolfram) Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau/Orchester Der Staatsoper Berlin/Franz Konwitschny
1.8 Beglückt Darf Nun Dich, O Heimat (Tannhäuser: Pilgerchor, 3. Akt) (1990 Remaster) Chor Der Bayerischen Staatsoper München/Bayerisches Staatsorchester/Robert Heger
1.9 Lohengrin (1989 Digital Remaster): Vorspiel (Prelude), 1. Aufzug New Philharmonia Orchestra/Sir Adrian Boult
1.10 Lohengrin: Einsam in Trüben Tagen (Elsa's Dream) Hildegard Behrens/Peter Schneider/Münchner Rundfunkorchester
1.11 Lohengrin - Acte II : Entweihte Gotter (Remasterisé en 2003) Rita Gorr - Orchestre Du Theatre National de L'opera de Paris - André Cluytens
1.12 Lohengrin: Prelude to Act III Klaus Tennstedt/Berliner Philharmoniker
1.13 Treulich Geführt (Lohengrin: Brautchor, 3. Akt) (1990 Remaster) Chor Der Bayerischen Staatsoper München/Bayerisches Staatsorchester/Robert Heger
2.1 Lohengrin (2000 Digital Remaster): In Fernem Land (Act 3) Nicolai Gedda/Orchester Der Bayerischen Staatsoper München/Heinrich Bender
2.2 Prologue: Das Rheingold, Scene IV: Abendlich Strahlt Die Sonne (Wotan/Fricke) James Morris/Marjana Lipovsek/Symphonieorchester Des Bayerischen Rundfunks/Bernard Haitink
2.3 First Day: Die Walkure, Act 1: Winderstrürme Wichen Dem Wonnemond (Siegmund) Bernard Haitink/Symphonieorchester Des Bayerischen Rundfunks/Reiner Goldberg
2.4 First Day: Die Walkure, Act 1: Du Bist Der Lenz (Sieglinde) Bernard Haitink/Symphonieorchester Des Bayerischen Rundfunks/Cheryl Studer
2.5 First Day: Die Walkure, Act 1: Oh Süsseste Wonne! Bernard Haitink/Symphonieorchester Des Bayerischen Rundfunks/Cheryl Studer/Reiner Goldberg
2.6 First Day: Die Walkure, Act 1: Siegmund Heiss Ich (Siegmund/Sieglinde) Bernard Haitink/Symphonieorchester Des Bayerischen Rundfunks/Cheryl Studer/Reiner Goldberg
2.7 Die Walküre: Walkürenritt (The Ride of the Valkyries) (Act III) Klaus Tennstedt/Berliner Philharmoniker
2.8 Siegfried, Act 1: Nothung! Nothung! Neidliches Schwert! (Siegfried/Mime) Siegfried Jerusalem/Peter Haage/Bernard Haitink/Symphonieorchester Des Bayerischen Rundfunks
2.9 Götterdämmerung (1975 Digital Remaster): Siegfried's Funeral March London Philharmonic Orchestra/Sir Adrian Boult
2.10 Die Meistersinger Von Nürnberg (1989 Digital Remaster): Vorspiel (Prelude), 1. Aufzug New Philharmonia Orchestra/Sir Adrian Boult
2.11 Die Meistersinger Von Nürnberg, Dritter Akt/Act 3/Troisieme Scene, Fünfte Szene/Scene 5/Cinquième Scène: 'Morgenlich Leuchtend in Rosigem Schein' (Walther/Volk/Die Meister/Sachs/Pogner/Eva) Bernd Weikl/Ben Heppner/Siegfried Lorenz/Cheryl Studer/Cornelia
2.12 Tristan Und Isolde (1988 Digital Remaster), Act 2: O Sink Hernieder Helga Dernesch/Jon Vickers/Christa Ludwig/Berliner Philharmoniker/Herbert Von Karajan
2.13 Tristan Und Isolde: Mild Und Leise (Liebestod) Hildegard Behrens/Peter Schneider/Münchner Rundfunkorchester
