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Sunday, September 18, 2016

Carl Maria von Weber - Overtures (Wolfgang Sawallisch)


Information

Composer: Carl Maria von Weber
  1. Euryanthe, opera, Op. 81: Overture
  2. Der Beherrscher der Geister (The Ruler of the Spirits), Op. 27
  3. Abu Hassan, opera, J. 106: Overture
  4. Jubel-Ouvertüre, Op. 59
  5. Der Freischütz, opera, Op. 77: Overture
  6. Preciosa, incidental music, Op. 78: Overture
  7. Oberon, opera, J. 306: Overture

Philharmonia Orchestra
Wolfgang Sawallisch, conductor
Date: 1958
Label: EMI


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Review

This album, recorded in 1958, has held up well over the years. True, the stereo sound is somewhat dated, but the performances are wonderful and more than compensate for the slightly tubby bass. Not all of Weber’s overtures are included, for that Chandos (Järvi) gets the nod, but the most popular ones are here. Among the many merits found on this recording is the way Sawallisch has found the unique personality of each piece, the way he has illuminated Weber’s mastery of orchestration. What a pity the overtures to Peter Schmoll, Silvana, and Turandot were not included. Recorded in the days of LP, time constraints may have been a deciding factor for their exclusion.

The same seven overtures are presented on a Capriccio disc with Gustav Kuhn leading the Staatskapelle Dresden. Surprisingly, the 1985 digital sound isn’t as revealing or as immediate as EMI’s 1958 analog, although the bass on the Capriccio is more naturally rendered. Kuhn’s performances have their moments, but they seem more restrained than Sawallisch’s. A better bet is Karajan’s (DG) of Weber’s overtures preceded by Berlioz’s orchestration of Invitation to the Dance. The 1972 sound is warmer than EMI’s, although there is more resonance. Only six of the overtures are included (five are duplicates of Sawallisch’s choices) and the overture to Peter Schmoll is included. The most striking difference between the EMI and the DG discs is the smooth and elegant playing by the Berlin Philharmonic under Karajan; Sawallisch’s performances are exuberant and very often exciting. Which to choose? If you want Invitation to the Dance and Peter Schmoll, go with Karajan. If you want Jubel and Preciosa and exciting performances, pick the Sawallisch. I wouldn’t want to be without either one.

-- David L. Kirk, FANFARE

More reviews:

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Carl Maria von Weber (18 or 19 November 1786 – 5 June 1826) was a German composer, conductor, pianist, guitarist and critic, one of the first significant composers of the Romantic school. His operas greatly influenced the development of the Romantic opera in Germany. His composition for piano influenced composers such as Chopin, Liszt and Mendelssohn. His compositions for woodwind instruments occupy an important place in the musical repertoire. His orchestration has also been highly praised and emulated by later generations of composers.

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Wolfgang Sawallisch (26 August 1923 – 22 February 2013) was a German conductor and pianist. Sawallisch has been acclaimed as an interpreter of the music of Richard Strauss. As a pianist, he accompanied a number of prominent singers in lieder, including Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Dame Elisabeth Schwarzkopf and Dame Margaret Price. He has also been acclaimed for his interpretations of the symphonies of Anton Bruckner.

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