add to wish list | library


10 of 13 recommend this,
would you recommend it?

yes | no

Support this site by purchasing from these vendors using the paid links below. As an Amazon Associate SA-CD.net earns from qualifying purchases.
 
amazon.ca
amazon.co.uk
amazon.com
amazon.de
 
amazon.fr
amazon.it
 
 
 
Label:
  Amati - http://www.bayermusicgroup.de/
Serial:
  AMI 2301/3 (3 discs)
Title:
  Mozart: Die Zauberflöte - Kuijken
Description:
  Mozart: Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute)

Isolde Siebert (Königin der Nacht)
Suzy Le Blanc (Pamina)
Christoph Genz (Tamino)
Cornelius Hauptmann (Sarastro)
Stephan Genz (Papageno)
Marie Kuijken (Papagena)
Knaben des Tölzer Knabenchors
Chor und Orchester La Petite Bande
Sigiswald Kuijken (conductor)
Track listing:
 
Genre:
  Classical - Opera
Content:
  Stereo/Multichannel
Media:
  Hybrid
Recording type:
 
Recording info:
 

read discussion | delete from library | delete recommendation | report errors
 
Related titles: 5


 
Reviews: 3

Site review by Adrian Cue June 24, 2014
Performance:   Sonics:  
The text for this review has been moved to the new site. You can read it here:

http://www.HRAudio.net/showmusic.php?title=2758#reviews

Review by Julien July 29, 2007 (13 of 21 found this review helpful)
Performance:   Sonics:  
Oh my... This recording desperately needs a review.

When you think that this near-perfection performance was live, it is even more impressive. As we say in French, you'd have to get up early to be able to imagine better. The orchestra and the singers combined are among the finest I've heard in a performance.

It is quite interesting to think back a few decades ago when period instruments had many intonation issues and were widely criticized for it. Well, I dare to say that no string section of any symphonic orchestra plays that it tune, and it is not because there are less people here. A chamber string orchestra would not be able to play that in tune either. The reason is simply because the gut strings are so sensible needing to be re-tuned all the time that period ensembles pay just much more attention to intonation. Another reason is that they play sustained notes with much less vibrato, sometimes not at all, which makes harmonies sound a lot purer.
Why do I always pay so much attention to intonation? Because when you have harmonies it is half the beauty of the music.

The singing too is fantastic (outstandingly in tune also...). I won't go into too many details, but I especially love Isolde Siebert as the Queen of the Night (what a voice!), Stephan Genz as Papageno is so moving (he speaks while singing it's wonderful), and Suzie LeBlanc as Pamina has a very pure voice and an amazing sensibility. Also figuring are Christoph Genz as Tamino and Cornelius Hauptmann as Sarastro.

Not to forget on this site, the recording is beautiful, sounds like pure DSD to me, the timbre of all the intruments and the voices is very full and accurate. I like the overall balance, and also the dynamic range is huge and realistic. It is close in a good way, I feel that I'm breathing on the stage.

I have always admired the Kuijken brothers for being among the pioneers in the field of period informed playing and actually always keeping themselves among the elite. Sigiswald Kuijken has now recorded quite a few excellent SACDs for different companies, which makes me think that maybe unlike most artists who record SACDs and have no idea what SACD is (do you guys believe that? It is true.), Kuijken might be one of those who knows of the format, wants quality and also thinks for posterity.

Hats off.

Was this review helpful to you?  yes | no

Review by progboy December 24, 2012 (4 of 7 found this review helpful)
Performance:   Sonics:  
I was seeking a good quality interpretation of Mozart's "The Magic Flute" ever since I bought my SACD player and Kuijken's 3 SACD set was always priced a bit out of my league until a few weeks ago when I found it NEW on Amazon for $ 14.98 US. It looks like since then the price has been jacked back up but keep your eye cause this treasure is well worth hunting down.

Ok so I guess you really don't care how much I paid for this gem and are much more interested in my impression of this recording and the SACD sonic performance.

Lets start with the recording....simply brilliant.....Mozart's famous opera really is a deep moving piece that tell a magical little story of Tamino and his bird friend Papagno in his quest to free his love, slay the serpent and face evil along the way...including the Queen Of The Night and the evil Sarastro. The cast are superb and you really could not ask for a more talented people! I find this hard to believe it was recorded live as the sound is so pure and there is very little background noise to distract you. Mozart was famous for his harmonies and lovely melodies and no question this opera reveals both of these aspects. In fact this recording is a necessity for fans of "The Magic Flute".
Because this is an entire opera you should be aware that a good chunk of the album is speaking as the story unfolds and music is interwoven throughout.

Now to the sound.....ok this is crazy good......the orchestra is pure, quite bright and rich....this is the sound that Classical music should be like! The vocals are well mic'd and considering this was live there is really no vocal drops or microphone issues as we listen. The opera was really carefully recorded and beautifully mastered to SACD.

This opera premiered in Vienna on Sept 30th 1791 with Mozart himself conducting the orchestra. While Mozart wrote all the music, the narrative and story was penned by Emanuel Schikaneder.

Was this review helpful to you?  yes | no

 
Works: 1  

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute), K. 620