Reviews - petrushka1975  Click here to subscribe to a RSS feed of new reviews

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Wagner: Tristan und Isolde - Furtwängler        (10 of 10 found this review helpful)
  March 4, 2013

Wagner fans all over the world know this to be the unsurpassed recording of Tristan. In addition to the inimitable Furtwangler, the ensemble consisted of an all-star cast of the best Wagner singers of the era. Flagstad was slightly past her prime voicewise as she had retired from signing the role of ... more
Tchaikovsky: Swan Lake (highlights) - Fistoulari        (8 of 8 found this review helpful)
  March 25, 2012

The original recording was awarded a rosette by the Penguin Guide, and the Esoteric remastered version reviewed here ranks among my handful of best sounding discs. Musically, one finds neither the lushness or sparkle of Ansermet or the infectious rhythm of Dorati. The presentation is more majestic ... more
Wagner: Der Ring des Nibelungen - Furtwängler        (8 of 8 found this review helpful)
  March 23, 2012

This is a set of most thrilling performances by Furtwängler of Wagner's four Ring operas which were recorded before a live audience for broadcast on Italian radio (RAI) in 1953. It is important in the history of these works and to the legacy of a man who is commonly acknowledged to be 20th century's ... more
Dvorak: Symphony No. 9 - Kertesz        (5 of 5 found this review helpful)
  March 22, 2012

This is a must-have recording from Esoteric's reissue program. The enormous emotional intensity is already evident a few bars into the first movement. Part of that can be attributed the earnestness and sense of mission Kertesz brings to the score -- this was the young conductor's debut for Decca. ... more
Schubert: Symphonies Nos. 3 & 7 - Kleiber        (5 of 9 found this review helpful)
  March 21, 2012

Let's put it this way: Of all the Esoteric SACD reissues, this is the one disc which, if I lost, I would not be too compelled to replace. Part of this is purely personal. I have never quite gotten comfortable with Kleiber's conducting or any of Schubert symphonies, irrespective of who the conductor ... more

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