Some Really Rare Wagner
James S. Eisenberg | 05/14/2008
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Containing as it does the only CD recordings of Wagner's early incidental music for Goethe's Faust (really attractive) and the delightful little cantata Kinder-Katechismus, this will be a "must own" for Wagnerites, but the solo singing (especially that of the soprano) is NOT very good.
Accompanied by piano, it is unclear if the FAUST is in fact a reduction of an orchestral score or was originally written for keyboard. It would be nice to hear this work with a full complement of orchestral colors. The "Katechismus" is definitely a reduction of an orchestral score (Schott publishes a facsimile), and one hopes that this two and a half minute gem is someday given an orchestral recording. It is surprising that this little work has not become a popular encore in choral concerts.
The rest of the material is available better performed elsewhere.
The recorded sound is very clean and clear, almost too clear in the case of the unfortunate soprano soloist."