Search - Richard Strauss, Karl Böhm, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra :: Strauss: Der Rosenkavalier

Excellent production

R. J. Claster | Van Nuys, CA United States | 07/15/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This release is taken from an Austrian Radio stereo taping of a 1969 Salzburg production. Bohm's conducting is masterly with a lithe, transparent quality, together with the idiomatic sound and phrasing of the Vienna Philharmonic (no other orchestra handles the waltz rhythms with the same kind of natural, effortless lilt). The singing of the four key roles (i.e. the Marschallin, Octavian, Sophie and Baron Ochs) is quite good, although without quite the same degree of distinctiveness as in the classic Karajan EMI recording. On the other hand, with Bohm and company, one feels more of the frisson of a superior live performance. Ideally, one should have them both. Definitely recommended!"

Peaches and Cream Casting.

Good Stuff | 02/06/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The magnificent Marschallin of Christa Ludwig and the Octavian of the shamefully underappreciated Tatiana Troyanos, both at the height of their powers, ably matched by the inigmatic Sophie of Edith Mathis. The final trio alone is worth the price. Theo Adam is, as always, rock solid, though perhaps not the final word in this role.Bohm conducts with his accustomed authority.The sound, a stereo air check, isn't the best, but it is serviceable. You'll need to crank up the volume a bit.In all, a very representative live performance of Strauss' masterpiece. The individual parts may be a bit better than the whole, but the whole ain't bad!!Four stars only because of the dated sound."

Boehm at his best

N. Freidin | Huntington, WV | 10/03/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have two other recordings of Der Rosenkavalier, Kleiber's (1954) and Karajan's (1957), both classics, and rightly so, but neither injects such spontaneity in the music, both warm and joyful, as Karl Boehm here. Some may be upset by the casting of Christa Ludwig (a mezzo) as the Feldmarshallin, but it works. This is an opera where female voices must work in ensembles, in duos and trios; and Ludwig, Troyanos (another mezzo) as Octavian, and Mathis as Sophie, produce melting combinations. Yet all three are vocally distinctive, their roles well-differentiated, unlike some other productions. Theo Adam, as Baron Ochs, is a characterfully and strongly sung sympathetic boor.



The immediacy that can only come from a live performance, this one from the 1969 Salzburger Festspiel, is well-caught in this recording.



This version is worth having, even if you already have others, if only for Boehm's magic wand.



One word of caution. My copy came with the libretto of Strauss' Capriccio ! Never mind. The plot is known (or obtainable on line). Just sit back, enjoy the gorgeous (but complicated) music, and transport yourself to an Austria that never was !"