BaL 18.06.11 - Wagner: Tristan & Isolde

[Mandryka]

Wasn't the Bernstein version the one that was originally spread out over five (5) CDs and at full price?

Yes.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I should add that the EMI/Pappano recording is issued on 3 CDs in good stereo sound, with a bonus DVD Video with the whole work with libretto in 5-1 Dolby Digital (which sounds fairly dreadful, in my opinion, with aggressive placing of the voices). But others may be happy with it, and it's churlish to condemn something that is apparently a bonus at no extra cost!

[Mandryka]

I should add that the EMI/Pappano recording is issued on 3 CDs in good stereo sound, with a bonus DVD Video with the whole work with libretto in 5-1 Dolby Digital (which sounds fairly dreadful, in my opinion, with aggressive placing of the voices). But others may be happy with it, and it's churlish to condemn something that is apparently a bonus at no extra cost!

I've only listened to the DVD once and wasn't struck by anything odd about the balance.....but, must admit, it was rather a plus to have the whole opera unfold before me without having to get up and change discs.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I've only listened to the DVD once and wasn't struck by anything odd about the balance.....

If you listen to it again, consider whether the voices are not a little strident and "artificial". I find the CD stereo balance much better.

[Richard Tarleton]

Sublime and expert recital accompnaist, Mr Vignoles, but.........balance critic for T & I?? Hmm.

Impeccable credentials as it turned out - RV an inspired choice for Tristan. I thought this was BAL at its best, where the presenter really gets inside the work and the various performances, as opposed to merely telling us which version they like - think also David Owen Norris, as opposed to, well, you know who you are, I won't repeat it.

I don't think I'll be adding another version to my collection (Furtwangler, Bohm - I'm afraid the Solti LPs went years ago) - but I found this a riveting and insightful hour.

[gurnemanz]

I don't think I'll be adding another version to my collection (Furtwangler, Bohm - I'm afraid the Solti LPs went years ago) - but I found this a riveting and insightful hour.

I agree. I also have Böhm (+ Kleiber on LP) and cannot really justify adding another one, especially as the Barenboim, however tempting it may be, appears to be not one for the cheapskates amongst us.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wagner-Trist.../dp/B000000SNQ

[Flosshilde]

however tempting it may be, appears to be not one for the cheapskates amongst us.

Andrew did say that it's being re-issued next month in a cheaper format. It won't have the libretto, but if you've got other recordings that hardly matters.

[ostuni]

Yes, I thought Roger Vignoles did an excellent job - we should be wary of assuming that just because a performer is noted for one area of the repertory, they're not also keen/knowledgeable on something entirely different.

The extracts from the Kleiber/Price/Kollo recording really impressed me. And this is already available at a low price, so I feel a purchase coming on...

[Pianorak]

The extracts from the Kleiber/Price/Kollo recording really impressed me. And this is already available at a low price, so I feel a purchase coming on...

Even cheaper here: http://hmv.com/hmvweb/displayProduct...;-1&sku=360816

[ostuni]

Thank you! And the dog has an excellent price on the new Ivan Fischer Schubert 9, whose extracts sound particularly lovely (listenable over at Presto: I've spent quite enough at this latter location not to feel a twinge of guilt at occasionally shopping elsewhere...).