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MYTO Historical

Wagner: Tannhauser / Sawallisch, Windgassen, Fischer-dieskau, Bumbry

$13.99

Details

Composer
WAGNER, RICHARD
Artist
Windgasen, Bumbry, De Los Angeles, Greindl, Fischer-Dieskau, Sawallisch
Format
CD
Label
MYTO Historical
Released
Feb 10, 2015
Catalog #
MYTO00291
UPC
801439902916

About

This is not to be confused with the (rightly) famous Philips recording with almost the same cast from a year later, also from Bayreuth. I find this performance somewhat more compelling–it has an energy that the ’62 does not: rarely have I heard the choral moments sound so passionate, whether in outrage or prayer, and I’ve always thought that this opera, more than any other of Wagner’s, needs all the energy it can get. In addition, Grace Bumbry, in her Bayreuth debut (at the moment when the color barrier was lifted) is even better here, singing with a wild security and insinuation that ravishes the ear and, yes, Tannhäuser’s soul. She’s an intensely interesting Venus, sneaky, believable, and somewhat terrifying.

Wolfgang Windgassen is a bit better as well after a really bad off-key start; the voice seems darker than the following year. And his Rome Narrative is riveting, pathetic, and a true tour de force–and he has plenty of voice left, even so late in the evening. His operatic voyage from entranced to rueful to loving to crazed and then to more crazed is shatteringly portrayed.

Victoria de los Angeles preceded Anja Silja as Elisabeth, and she is in her full glory here. Nobody sounds like de los Angeles; arguments were made at one time that her Carmen sounded as if she had just come from a convent–but could that be any more perfect for Elisabeth? Her tonal purity is ideal for “Dich teure Halle” and the last-act prayer, and she lacks only the last smidge of desperation and grandeur for her supplications near the end of Act 2. But what a sound–so gentle and loving, so unadulterated! The other cast difference is the inclusion of Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau as Wolfram. Again, can anyone sing or feel this music better? The empathy, the dignity, the gorgeous tone are all unique.

Josef Greindl, who seems to have sung every performance of everything throughout the 1960s, is a gruff Landgraf who nonetheless is fair and loving. And popping up from ensembles and offering the occasional solo is Gerhard Stolze, singing with an instantly recognizable timbre as Walther, and happily sounding nothing like either Mime or Herod. The rest are superb. Wolfgang Sawallich’s contribution needs no vote from me; this is his opera, brilliantly formed. The hybrid edition used may trouble some listeners: It’s essentially the 1845 Dresden, but with the 1861 Venusberg music. It doesn’t bother me a bit. The sound, by the way, is excellent mono.

My first choice for this opera remains Solti’s for Helga Dernesch’s Elisabeth and Christa Ludwig’s Venus, as well as René Kollo’s youthful Tannhäuser, not to mention the recording itself and Solti’s passion. But this one, at half the price, is very tempting.

-- Robert Levine, ClassicsToday.com

Tracklist 34 tracks

  1. Disc 1
  2. 1 Overture 15:57
    Track
    1
    Title
    Overture
    Duration
    15:57
    Composer
    Richard Wagner
    Ensemble
    Bayreuther Festspielorchester
    Conductor
    Wolfgang Sawallisch
  3. 2 Act I Scene 1: Naht euch dem Strande (Chorus) 04:00
    Track
    2
    Title
    Act I Scene 1: Naht euch dem Strande (Chorus)
    Duration
    04:00
    Composer
    Richard Wagner
    Ensemble
    Bayreuther Festspielchor, Bayreuther Festspielorchester
    Conductor
    Wolfgang Sawallisch
  4. 3 Act I Scene 2: Geliebter, sag, wo weilt dein Sinn? (Venus, Tannhauser) 03:37
    Track
    3
    Title
    Act I Scene 2: Geliebter, sag, wo weilt dein Sinn? (Venus, Tannhauser)
    Duration
    03:37
    Composer
    Richard Wagner
    Performer
    Grace Bumbry, Wolfgang Windgassen
    Ensemble
    Bayreuther Festspielorchester
    Conductor
    Wolfgang Sawallisch
  5. 4 Act I Scene 2: Dir tone Lob! (Tannhauser, Venus) 05:13
    Track
    4
    Title
    Act I Scene 2: Dir tone Lob! (Tannhauser, Venus)
    Duration
    05:13
    Composer
    Richard Wagner
    Performer
    Wolfgang Windgassen, Grace Bumbry
    Ensemble
    Bayreuther Festspielorchester
    Conductor
    Wolfgang Sawallisch
  6. 5 Act I Scene 2: Geliebter, komm! (Venus, Tannhauser) 04:11
    Track
    5
    Title
    Act I Scene 2: Geliebter, komm! (Venus, Tannhauser)
    Duration
    04:11
    Composer
    Richard Wagner
    Performer
    Grace Bumbry, Wolfgang Windgassen
    Ensemble
    Bayreuther Festspielorchester
    Conductor
    Wolfgang Sawallisch
  7. 6 Act I Scene 2: Zieh hin, Wahnsinniger (Venus, Tannhauser) 03:35
    Track
    6
    Title
    Act I Scene 2: Zieh hin, Wahnsinniger (Venus, Tannhauser)
    Duration
    03:35
    Composer
    Richard Wagner
    Performer
    Grace Bumbry, Wolfgang Windgassen
    Ensemble
    Bayreuther Festspielorchester
    Conductor
    Wolfgang Sawallisch
  8. 7 Act I Scene 3: Frau Holda kam aus dem Berg hervor (Hirt, Chorus) 03:59
    Track
    7
    Title
    Act I Scene 3: Frau Holda kam aus dem Berg hervor (Hirt, Chorus)
    Duration
    03:59
    Composer
    Richard Wagner
    Performer
    Else Margrethe Gardelli
    Ensemble
    Bayreuther Festspielchor, Bayreuther Festspielorchester
    Conductor
    Wolfgang Sawallisch
  9. 8 Act I Scene 3: Allmacht'ger, die sei Preis! (Tannhauser,Chorus) 03:24
    Track
    8
    Title
    Act I Scene 3: Allmacht'ger, die sei Preis! (Tannhauser,Chorus)
    Duration
    03:24
    Composer
    Richard Wagner
    Performer
    Wolfgang Windgassen
    Ensemble
    Bayreuther Festspielchor, Bayreuther Festspielorchester
    Conductor
    Wolfgang Sawallisch
  10. 9 Act I Scene 4: Wer ist der dort im brunstigen Gebete? (Landgraf, Chorus, Wolfram, Tannhauser) 05:15
    Track
    9
    Title
    Act I Scene 4: Wer ist der dort im brunstigen Gebete? (Landgraf, Chorus, Wolfram, Tannhauser)
    Duration
    05:15
    Composer
    Richard Wagner
    Performer
    Josef Greindl, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Wolfgang Windgassen
    Ensemble
    Bayreuther Festspielchor, Bayreuther Festspielorchester
    Conductor
    Wolfgang Sawallisch
  11. 10 Act I Scene 4: Als du in kuhnem Sange uns bestrittest (Wolfram, Chorus, Landgraf) 03:34
    Track
    10
    Title
    Act I Scene 4: Als du in kuhnem Sange uns bestrittest (Wolfram, Chorus, Landgraf)
    Duration
    03:34
    Composer
    Richard Wagner
    Performer
    Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Josef Greindl
    Ensemble
    Bayreuther Festspielchor, Bayreuther Festspielorchester
    Conductor
    Wolfgang Sawallisch
  12. 11 Act I: Zu ihr! Zu ih! O fuhret mich zu ihr (Tannhauser, Chorus) 02:42
    Track
    11
    Title
    Act I: Zu ihr! Zu ih! O fuhret mich zu ihr (Tannhauser, Chorus)
    Duration
    02:42
    Composer
    Richard Wagner
    Performer
    Wolfgang Windgassen
    Ensemble
    Bayreuther Festspielchor, Bayreuther Festspielorchester
    Conductor
    Wolfgang Sawallisch
  13. Disc 2
  14. 1 Orchestereinleitung 01:47
    Track
    1
    Title
    Orchestereinleitung
    Duration
    01:47
    Composer
    Richard Wagner
    Ensemble
    Bayreuther Festspielorchester
    Conductor
    Wolfgang Sawallisch
  15. 2 Act II Scene 1: Dich, teure Halle (Elisabeth) 02:51
    Track
    2
    Title
    Act II Scene 1: Dich, teure Halle (Elisabeth)
    Duration
    02:51
    Composer
    Richard Wagner
    Performer
    Victoria de los Ángeles
    Ensemble
    Bayreuther Festspielorchester
    Conductor
    Wolfgang Sawallisch
  16. 3 Act II Scene 2: Dort ist sie; nahe dich ihr ungestort! (Wolfram, Tannhauser, Elisabeth) 02:44
    Track
    3
    Title
    Act II Scene 2: Dort ist sie; nahe dich ihr ungestort! (Wolfram, Tannhauser, Elisabeth)
    Duration
    02:44
    Composer
    Richard Wagner
    Performer
    Wolfgang Windgassen, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Victoria de los Ángeles
    Ensemble
    Bayreuther Festspielorchester
    Conductor
    Wolfgang Sawallisch
  17. 4 Act II Scene 2: Verzeiht, wenn ich nicht weiss, was ich beginne (Elisabeth) 03:44
    Track
    4
    Title
    Act II Scene 2: Verzeiht, wenn ich nicht weiss, was ich beginne (Elisabeth)
    Duration
    03:44
    Composer
    Richard Wagner
    Performer
    Victoria de los Ángeles
    Ensemble
    Bayreuther Festspielorchester
    Conductor
    Wolfgang Sawallisch
  18. 5 Act II Scene 2: Den Gott der Liebe sollst du preisen (Tannhauser, Elisabeth, Wolfram) 02:27
    Track
    5
    Title
    Act II Scene 2: Den Gott der Liebe sollst du preisen (Tannhauser, Elisabeth, Wolfram)
    Duration
    02:27
    Composer
    Richard Wagner
    Performer
    Wolfgang Windgassen, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Victoria de los Ángeles
    Ensemble
    Bayreuther Festspielorchester
    Conductor
    Wolfgang Sawallisch
  19. 6 Act II Scene 3: Dich treff 'ich hier in dieser Halle (Landgraf, Elisabeth) 02:11
    Track
    6
    Title
    Act II Scene 3: Dich treff 'ich hier in dieser Halle (Landgraf, Elisabeth)
    Duration
    02:11
    Composer
    Richard Wagner
    Performer
    Josef Greindl, Victoria de los Ángeles
    Ensemble
    Bayreuther Festspielorchester
    Conductor
    Wolfgang Sawallisch
  20. 7 Act II Scene 3: Noch bleibe denn unausgesprochen (Landgraf) 02:01
    Track
    7
    Title
    Act II Scene 3: Noch bleibe denn unausgesprochen (Landgraf)
    Duration
    02:01
    Composer
    Richard Wagner
    Performer
    Josef Greindl
    Ensemble
    Bayreuther Festspielorchester
    Conductor
    Wolfgang Sawallisch
  21. 8 Act II Scene 4: Freudig begrussen wir die edle Halle (Chorus) 07:05
    Track
    8
    Title
    Act II Scene 4: Freudig begrussen wir die edle Halle (Chorus)
    Duration
    07:05
    Composer
    Richard Wagner
    Ensemble
    Bayreuther Festspielchor, Bayreuther Festspielorchester
    Conductor
    Wolfgang Sawallisch
  22. 9 Act II Scene 4: Gar viel und schon ward hier in dieser Halle (Landgraf, Chorus, Edelknaben) 06:03
    Track
    9
    Title
    Act II Scene 4: Gar viel und schon ward hier in dieser Halle (Landgraf, Chorus, Edelknaben)
    Duration
    06:03
    Composer
    Richard Wagner
    Performer
    Josef Greindl
    Ensemble
    Bayreuther Festspielchor, Bayreuther Festspielorchester
    Conductor
    Wolfgang Sawallisch
  23. 10 Act II Scene 4: Blick' ich umher in diesem edlen Kreise (Wolfram, Chorus) 14:39
    Track
    10
    Title
    Act II Scene 4: Blick' ich umher in diesem edlen Kreise (Wolfram, Chorus)
    Duration
    14:39
    Composer
    Richard Wagner
    Performer
    Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau
    Ensemble
    Bayreuther Festspielchor, Bayreuther Festspielorchester
    Conductor
    Wolfgang Sawallisch
  24. 11 Act II Scene 4: Was hor' ich? (Tutti, Elisabeth) 05:20
    Track
    11
    Title
    Act II Scene 4: Was hor' ich? (Tutti, Elisabeth)
    Duration
    05:20
    Composer
    Richard Wagner
    Performer
    Josef Greindl, Wolfgang Windgassen, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Gerhard Stolze, Franz Crass, Georg Paskuda, Theo Adam, Grace Bumbry, Victoria de los Ángeles, Else Margrethe Gardelli
    Ensemble
    Bayreuther Festspielchor, Bayreuther Festspielorchester
    Conductor
    Wolfgang Sawallisch
  25. 12 Act II Scene 4: Weh! Weh mir Unglucksel'gem! (Tannhauser, Tutti) 06:20
    Track
    12
    Title
    Act II Scene 4: Weh! Weh mir Unglucksel'gem! (Tannhauser, Tutti)
    Duration
    06:20
    Composer
    Richard Wagner
    Performer
    Wolfgang Windgassen, Gerhard Stolze, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Josef Greindl, Franz Crass, Georg Paskuda, Theo Adam, Victoria de los Ángeles, Grace Bumbry, Else Margrethe Gardelli
    Ensemble
    Bayreuther Festspielchor, Bayreuther Festspielorchester
    Conductor
    Wolfgang Sawallisch
  26. 13 Act II Scene 4: Ein furchtbares Verbrechen ward begangen (Tutti) 08:25
    Track
    13
    Title
    Act II Scene 4: Ein furchtbares Verbrechen ward begangen (Tutti)
    Duration
    08:25
    Composer
    Richard Wagner
    Performer
    Theo Adam, Victoria de los Ángeles, Grace Bumbry, Franz Crass, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Else Margrethe Gardelli, Josef Greindl, Georg Paskuda, Gerhard Stolze, Wolfgang Windgassen
    Ensemble
    Bayreuther Festspielorchester, Bayreuther Festspielchor
    Conductor
    Wolfgang Sawallisch
  27. Disc 3
  28. 1 Act III: Orchestereinleitung 08:04
    Track
    1
    Title
    Act III: Orchestereinleitung
    Duration
    08:04
    Composer
    Richard Wagner
    Ensemble
    Bayreuther Festspielorchester
    Conductor
    Wolfgang Sawallisch
  29. 2 Act III Scene 1: Wohl wusst' ich hier sie im Gebet (Wolfram, Chorus, Elisabeth) 07:56
    Track
    2
    Title
    Act III Scene 1: Wohl wusst' ich hier sie im Gebet (Wolfram, Chorus, Elisabeth)
    Duration
    07:56
    Composer
    Richard Wagner
    Performer
    Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Victoria de los Ángeles
    Ensemble
    Bayreuther Festspielchor, Bayreuther Festspielorchester
    Conductor
    Wolfgang Sawallisch
  30. 3 Act III Scene 1: Allmacht'ge Jungfrau, hor mein Flehen! (Elisabeth) 05:02
    Track
    3
    Title
    Act III Scene 1: Allmacht'ge Jungfrau, hor mein Flehen! (Elisabeth)
    Duration
    05:02
    Composer
    Richard Wagner
    Performer
    Victoria de los Ángeles
    Ensemble
    Bayreuther Festspielorchester
    Conductor
    Wolfgang Sawallisch
  31. 4 Act III Scene 1: Elisabeth, durft'ich dich nicht geleiten? (Wolfram) 03:31
    Track
    4
    Title
    Act III Scene 1: Elisabeth, durft'ich dich nicht geleiten? (Wolfram)
    Duration
    03:31
    Composer
    Richard Wagner
    Performer
    Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau
    Ensemble
    Bayreuther Festspielorchester
    Conductor
    Wolfgang Sawallisch
  32. 5 Act III Scene 2: Wie Todesahnung (Wolfram) 01:58
    Track
    5
    Title
    Act III Scene 2: Wie Todesahnung (Wolfram)
    Duration
    01:58
    Composer
    Richard Wagner
    Performer
    Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau
    Ensemble
    Bayreuther Festspielorchester
    Conductor
    Wolfgang Sawallisch
  33. 6 Act III Scene 2: O du, mein holder Abendstern (Wolfram) 03:18
    Track
    6
    Title
    Act III Scene 2: O du, mein holder Abendstern (Wolfram)
    Duration
    03:18
    Composer
    Richard Wagner
    Performer
    Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau
    Ensemble
    Bayreuther Festspielorchester
    Conductor
    Wolfgang Sawallisch
  34. 7 Act III Scene 3: Ich horte Harfenschlag (Tannhauser, Wolfram) 04:34
    Track
    7
    Title
    Act III Scene 3: Ich horte Harfenschlag (Tannhauser, Wolfram)
    Duration
    04:34
    Composer
    Richard Wagner
    Performer
    Wolfgang Windgassen, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau
    Ensemble
    Bayreuther Festspielorchester
    Conductor
    Wolfgang Sawallisch
  35. 8 Act III Scene 3: Hor an! Inbrunst im Herzen (Tannhauser) 08:54
    Track
    8
    Title
    Act III Scene 3: Hor an! Inbrunst im Herzen (Tannhauser)
    Duration
    08:54
    Composer
    Richard Wagner
    Performer
    Wolfgang Windgassen
    Ensemble
    Bayreuther Festspielorchester
    Conductor
    Wolfgang Sawallisch
  36. 9 Act III Scene 3: Dahin zog's mich, wo ich der Wonn und Lust (Tannhauser, Wolfram) 02:18
    Track
    9
    Title
    Act III Scene 3: Dahin zog's mich, wo ich der Wonn und Lust (Tannhauser, Wolfram)
    Duration
    02:18
    Composer
    Richard Wagner
    Performer
    Wolfgang Windgassen, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau
    Ensemble
    Bayreuther Festspielorchester
    Conductor
    Wolfgang Sawallisch
  37. 10 Act III Scene 3: Willkommen, ungetreuer Mann! (Venus, Tutti) 06:47
    Track
    10
    Title
    Act III Scene 3: Willkommen, ungetreuer Mann! (Venus, Tutti)
    Duration
    06:47
    Composer
    Richard Wagner
    Performer
    Theo Adam, Victoria de los Ángeles, Grace Bumbry, Franz Crass, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Else Margrethe Gardelli, Josef Greindl, Georg Paskuda, Gerhard Stolze, Wolfgang Windgassen
    Ensemble
    Bayreuther Festspielorchester, Bayreuther Festspielchor
    Conductor
    Wolfgang Sawallisch