Discussion:
Reiner's Wagner
(too old to reply)
Tom Amolad
2012-11-02 14:57:58 UTC
Permalink
The user reviews and (even more annoyingly catty) comments on Sony's
2010 issue of Reiner's RCA Wagner recordings (http://www.amazon.com/
Reiner-Conducts-Wagner/dp/B003YI3D36/) aren't kind about the sound,
but since none of the writers in question give any indication of ever
having heard any other issue of these recordings (admission: I haven't
either), I'm skeptical. Did Sony botch this, or are these simply a
bunch of obnoxious would-be audiophiles who don't like the way it was
recorded in 1954? Is another CD issue any better (or as good)?

Also, did Reiner record any Wanger in the studio in Chicago that's not
on this CD?

Thanks,
Tom
wade
2012-11-02 15:08:43 UTC
Permalink
Post by Tom Amolad
The user reviews and (even more annoyingly catty) comments on Sony's
2010 issue of Reiner's RCA Wagner recordings (http://www.amazon.com/
Reiner-Conducts-Wagner/dp/B003YI3D36/) aren't kind about the sound,
but since none of the writers in question give any indication of ever
having heard any other issue of these recordings (admission: I haven't
either), I'm skeptical. Did Sony botch this, or are these simply a
bunch of obnoxious would-be audiophiles who don't like the way it was
recorded in 1954? Is another CD issue any better (or as good)?
Also, did Reiner record any Wanger in the studio in Chicago that's not
on this CD?
Thanks,
Tom
these were recorded much later than 1954.
Tom Amolad
2012-11-02 15:22:58 UTC
Permalink
Post by wade
Post by Tom Amolad
The user reviews and (even more annoyingly catty) comments on Sony's
2010 issue of Reiner's RCA Wagner recordings (http://www.amazon.com/
Reiner-Conducts-Wagner/dp/B003YI3D36/) aren't kind about the sound,
but since none of the writers in question give any indication of ever
having heard any other issue of these recordings (admission: I haven't
either), I'm skeptical.  Did Sony botch this, or are these simply a
bunch of obnoxious would-be audiophiles who don't like the way it was
recorded in 1954?  Is another CD issue any better (or as good)?
Also, did Reiner record any Wanger in the studio in Chicago that's not
on this CD?
Thanks,
Tom
these were recorded much later than 1954.
I really should double-check facts before posting. Okay, make that
1959/60. Whenever it was, how's the original recording, and how does
this CD issue compare to others?
wade
2012-11-02 15:58:01 UTC
Permalink
Post by Tom Amolad
Post by wade
Post by Tom Amolad
The user reviews and (even more annoyingly catty) comments on Sony's
2010 issue of Reiner's RCA Wagner recordings (http://www.amazon.com/
Reiner-Conducts-Wagner/dp/B003YI3D36/) aren't kind about the sound,
but since none of the writers in question give any indication of ever
having heard any other issue of these recordings (admission: I haven't
either), I'm skeptical.  Did Sony botch this, or are these simply a
bunch of obnoxious would-be audiophiles who don't like the way it was
recorded in 1954?  Is another CD issue any better (or as good)?
Also, did Reiner record any Wanger in the studio in Chicago that's not
on this CD?
Thanks,
Tom
these were recorded much later than 1954.
I really should double-check facts before posting. Okay, make that
1959/60. Whenever it was, how's the original recording, and how does
this CD issue compare to others?
I dont have the LP any more, but i do have the Gold Seal reissue from the 1990s. So I can't compare the two.
wade
2012-11-02 18:04:25 UTC
Permalink
Post by wade
Post by Tom Amolad
Post by wade
Post by Tom Amolad
The user reviews and (even more annoyingly catty) comments on Sony's
2010 issue of Reiner's RCA Wagner recordings (http://www.amazon.com/
Reiner-Conducts-Wagner/dp/B003YI3D36/) aren't kind about the sound,
but since none of the writers in question give any indication of ever
having heard any other issue of these recordings (admission: I haven't
either), I'm skeptical.  Did Sony botch this, or are these simply a
bunch of obnoxious would-be audiophiles who don't like the way it was
recorded in 1954?  Is another CD issue any better (or as good)?
Also, did Reiner record any Wanger in the studio in Chicago that's not
on this CD?
Thanks,
Tom
these were recorded much later than 1954.
I really should double-check facts before posting. Okay, make that
1959/60. Whenever it was, how's the original recording, and how does
this CD issue compare to others?
I dont have the LP any more, but i do have the Gold Seal reissue from the 1990s. So I can't compare the two.
Actually there were two prior reissues of this material. The first was a gold seal that had all the material on this new one (which combines some mono recordings with the RCA Sym and the stereo ones with the CSO) plus the Hansel & Gretel Dream Pantomime (RCA Sym mono).
Then there is the BMG Living Stereo reissue of just the CSO stereo material plus the 1960s remake of the Strauss Don Juan.
I have the mono tracks on my external hard drive so I believe what I kept was the BMG Living stereo edition.
Ed Presson
2012-11-02 20:10:03 UTC
Permalink
Post by wade
Post by Tom Amolad
Post by wade
Post by Tom Amolad
The user reviews and (even more annoyingly catty) comments on Sony's
2010 issue of Reiner's RCA Wagner recordings (http://www.amazon.com/
Reiner-Conducts-Wagner/dp/B003YI3D36/) aren't kind about the sound,
but since none of the writers in question give any indication of ever
having heard any other issue of these recordings (admission: I haven't
either), I'm skeptical. Did Sony botch this, or are these simply a
bunch of obnoxious would-be audiophiles who don't like the way it was
recorded in 1954? Is another CD issue any better (or as good)?
Also, did Reiner record any Wanger in the studio in Chicago that's not
on this CD?
Thanks,
Tom
these were recorded much later than 1954.
I really should double-check facts before posting. Okay, make that
1959/60. Whenever it was, how's the original recording, and how does
this CD issue compare to others?
I dont have the LP any more, but i do have the Gold Seal reissue from the
1990s. So I can't compare the two.
Actually there were two prior reissues of this material. The first was a
gold seal that had all the material on this >new one (which combines some
mono recordings with the RCA Sym and the stereo ones with the CSO) plus the
Post by Tom Amolad
Hansel & Gretel Dream Pantomime (RCA Sym mono).
Then there is the BMG Living Stereo reissue of just the CSO stereo material
plus the 1960s remake of the Strauss >Don Juan.
I have the mono tracks on my external hard drive so I believe what I kept
was the BMG Living stereo edition.
I have the BMG Living Stereo CD. I really like Reiner's very intense and
dramatic way with Wagner's music. The sound doesn't quite equal the best
Reiner/CSO recordings, but it's plenty powerful-good enough to support the
performances.

Ed Presson
D***@aol.com
2012-11-02 21:12:30 UTC
Permalink
Post by Tom Amolad
Post by wade
Post by Tom Amolad
The user reviews and (even more annoyingly catty) comments on Sony's
2010 issue of Reiner's RCA Wagner recordings (http://www.amazon.com/
Reiner-Conducts-Wagner/dp/B003YI3D36/) aren't kind about the sound,
but since none of the writers in question give any indication of ever
having heard any other issue of these recordings (admission: I haven't
either), I'm skeptical.  Did Sony botch this, or are these simply a
bunch of obnoxious would-be audiophiles who don't like the way it was
recorded in 1954?  Is another CD issue any better (or as good)?
Also, did Reiner record any Wanger in the studio in Chicago that's not
on this CD?
Thanks,
Tom
these were recorded much later than 1954.
I really should double-check facts before posting. Okay, make that
1959/60.  Whenever it was, how's the original recording, and how does
this CD issue compare to others?
Spring 1959. I assume that you mean the Meistersinger and
Gotterdammerung excerpts.

"The original recording" could mean many versions, from the original
Victor LP to various LP reissues and various CDs. All sound sound
subtly different. I don't know the CD to which you refer. I'll write
here about the RCA "Living Stereo" CD.

I heard Reiner and the CSO live in Orchestra Hall. In Wagner, too. I
can testify that the "Living Presence" RCA CD really does capture the
sound as it was in person: amazingly rich and full and colorful, with
brass playing of almost vocal expressivess, inflected note-by-note.
It's all audible in the brass playing in the climactic parts of the
Gotterdammerung Rhine Journey.

Don Tait
wade
2012-11-02 21:37:43 UTC
Permalink
Post by D***@aol.com
Post by Tom Amolad
Post by wade
Post by Tom Amolad
The user reviews and (even more annoyingly catty) comments on Sony's
2010 issue of Reiner's RCA Wagner recordings (http://www.amazon.com/
Reiner-Conducts-Wagner/dp/B003YI3D36/) aren't kind about the sound,
but since none of the writers in question give any indication of ever
having heard any other issue of these recordings (admission: I haven't
either), I'm skeptical.  Did Sony botch this, or are these simply a
bunch of obnoxious would-be audiophiles who don't like the way it was
recorded in 1954?  Is another CD issue any better (or as good)?
Also, did Reiner record any Wanger in the studio in Chicago that's not
on this CD?
Thanks,
Tom
these were recorded much later than 1954.
I really should double-check facts before posting. Okay, make that
1959/60.  Whenever it was, how's the original recording, and how does
this CD issue compare to others?
Spring 1959. I assume that you mean the Meistersinger and
Gotterdammerung excerpts.
"The original recording" could mean many versions, from the original
Victor LP to various LP reissues and various CDs. All sound sound
subtly different. I don't know the CD to which you refer. I'll write
here about the RCA "Living Stereo" CD.
I heard Reiner and the CSO live in Orchestra Hall. In Wagner, too. I
can testify that the "Living Presence" RCA CD really does capture the
sound as it was in person: amazingly rich and full and colorful, with
brass playing of almost vocal expressivess, inflected note-by-note.
It's all audible in the brass playing in the climactic parts of the
Gotterdammerung Rhine Journey.
Don Tait
I guess the question is then, when Sony reissued the 1959 tracks along with the two RCA Victor Symphony mono tracks, did they start with the transfers that came from the BMG Gold Seal reissue which included all the items on the new disc or did they use the transfers from the Living Stereo reissue where they were available and then added in the mono items from the Gold Seal before doing their DSD "magic".
wade
2012-11-02 21:42:07 UTC
Permalink
Post by wade
Post by D***@aol.com
Post by Tom Amolad
Post by wade
Post by Tom Amolad
The user reviews and (even more annoyingly catty) comments on Sony's
2010 issue of Reiner's RCA Wagner recordings (http://www.amazon.com/
Reiner-Conducts-Wagner/dp/B003YI3D36/) aren't kind about the sound,
but since none of the writers in question give any indication of ever
having heard any other issue of these recordings (admission: I haven't
either), I'm skeptical.  Did Sony botch this, or are these simply a
bunch of obnoxious would-be audiophiles who don't like the way it was
recorded in 1954?  Is another CD issue any better (or as good)?
Also, did Reiner record any Wanger in the studio in Chicago that's not
on this CD?
Thanks,
Tom
these were recorded much later than 1954.
I really should double-check facts before posting. Okay, make that
1959/60.  Whenever it was, how's the original recording, and how does
this CD issue compare to others?
Spring 1959. I assume that you mean the Meistersinger and
Gotterdammerung excerpts.
"The original recording" could mean many versions, from the original
Victor LP to various LP reissues and various CDs. All sound sound
subtly different. I don't know the CD to which you refer. I'll write
here about the RCA "Living Stereo" CD.
I heard Reiner and the CSO live in Orchestra Hall. In Wagner, too. I
can testify that the "Living Presence" RCA CD really does capture the
sound as it was in person: amazingly rich and full and colorful, with
brass playing of almost vocal expressivess, inflected note-by-note.
It's all audible in the brass playing in the climactic parts of the
Gotterdammerung Rhine Journey.
Don Tait
I guess the question is then, when Sony reissued the 1959 tracks along with the two RCA Victor Symphony mono tracks, did they start with the transfers that came from the BMG Gold Seal reissue which included all the items on the new disc or did they use the transfers from the Living Stereo reissue where they were available and then added in the mono items from the Gold Seal before doing their DSD "magic".
OR the even earlier RCA CD that only contained the Meistersinger/Gotterdammerung excerpts just like the LP but where they used the Half speed remastered LP cover on the CD.
M forever
2012-11-03 04:28:09 UTC
Permalink
Post by Tom Amolad
Post by wade
Post by Tom Amolad
The user reviews and (even more annoyingly catty) comments on Sony's
2010 issue of Reiner's RCA Wagner recordings (http://www.amazon.com/
Reiner-Conducts-Wagner/dp/B003YI3D36/) aren't kind about the sound,
but since none of the writers in question give any indication of ever
having heard any other issue of these recordings (admission: I haven't
either), I'm skeptical.  Did Sony botch this, or are these simply a
bunch of obnoxious would-be audiophiles who don't like the way it was
recorded in 1954?  Is another CD issue any better (or as good)?
Also, did Reiner record any Wanger in the studio in Chicago that's not
on this CD?
Thanks,
Tom
these were recorded much later than 1954.
I really should double-check facts before posting. Okay, make that
1959/60.  Whenever it was, how's the original recording, and how does
this CD issue compare to others?
  Spring 1959. I assume that you mean the Meistersinger and
Gotterdammerung excerpts.
  "The original recording" could mean many versions, from the original
Victor LP to various LP reissues and various CDs. All sound sound
subtly different. I don't know the CD to which you refer. I'll write
here about the RCA "Living Stereo" CD.
  I heard Reiner and the CSO live in Orchestra Hall. In Wagner, too. I
can testify that the "Living Presence" RCA CD really does capture the
sound as it was in person: amazingly rich and full and colorful, with
brass playing of almost vocal expressivess, inflected note-by-note.
It's all audible in the brass playing in the climactic parts of the
Gotterdammerung Rhine Journey.
  Don Tait
That's funny because you say what you hear on the recording matches
what you heard in concert, but what you describe doesn't match what's
on the recording. There is some nicely phrased and expressive string
playing, some characterful contributions from the woodwinds (not so
much from the mostly strained and muffled sounding horns though) and
the buildup to the first climax in Rheinfahrt is handled very well.
But once the climax is reached and the brass blasts away, it's all
over. There is not a trace of "vocal expressiveness" there and it
certainly is not "inflected note-by-note". Rather, it is a pretty
nasty forced and compressed sound, shrill and blaring, stiff and
completely uninflected. Each note is played with the exact same forced
sostenuto and clipped at the end. Also, in those passages, the
trumpets and trombones suddenly appear *in front* of the orchestra -
was it like that in concert, too? Did they suddenly magically appear
in front of the orchestra? And were they amplified in those passages
in the concert just like the engineers here obviously pulled up their
track faders?
jrsnfld
2012-11-02 18:08:28 UTC
Permalink
Post by Tom Amolad
The user reviews and (even more annoyingly catty) comments on Sony's
2010 issue of Reiner's RCA Wagner recordings (http://www.amazon.com/
Reiner-Conducts-Wagner/dp/B003YI3D36/) aren't kind about the sound,
but since none of the writers in question give any indication of ever
having heard any other issue of these recordings (admission: I haven't
either), I'm skeptical.  Did Sony botch this, or are these simply a
bunch of obnoxious would-be audiophiles who don't like the way it was
recorded in 1954?  Is another CD issue any better (or as good)?
Also, did Reiner record any Wanger in the studio in Chicago that's not
on this CD?
While not from the studio, I think his best Wagner from Chicago is his
1958 broadcast of Rienzi Overture. If you want to try it before
finding a copy, listen to it on YouTube.

--Jeff
Matthew B. Tepper
2012-11-02 19:14:46 UTC
Permalink
jrsnfld <***@aol.com> appears to have caused the following letters to
be typed in news:bfcd07fd-dbc4-452e-b48f-
Post by jrsnfld
Post by Tom Amolad
The user reviews and (even more annoyingly catty) comments on Sony's
2010 issue of Reiner's RCA Wagner recordings (http://www.amazon.com/
Reiner-Conducts-Wagner/dp/B003YI3D36/) aren't kind about the sound,
but since none of the writers in question give any indication of ever
having heard any other issue of these recordings (admission: I haven't
either), I'm skeptical.  Did Sony botch this, or are these simply a
bunch of obnoxious would-be audiophiles who don't like the way it was
recorded in 1954?  Is another CD issue any better (or as good)?
Also, did Reiner record any Wanger in the studio in Chicago that's not
on this CD?
While not from the studio, I think his best Wagner from Chicago is his
1958 broadcast of Rienzi Overture. If you want to try it before
finding a copy, listen to it on YouTube.
Yes, it's in "From the Archives, vol. 1 -- The Reiner Era." Superb.
--
Matthew B. Tepper: WWW, science fiction, classical music, ducks!!
Read about "Proty" here: http://home.earthlink.net/~oy/proty.html
To write to me, do for my address what Androcles did for the lion
Opinions expressed here are not necessarily those of my employers.
weary flake
2012-11-03 16:45:47 UTC
Permalink
Post by Tom Amolad
The user reviews and (even more annoyingly catty) comments on Sony's
2010 issue of Reiner's RCA Wagner recordings (http://www.amazon.com/
Reiner-Conducts-Wagner/dp/B003YI3D36/) aren't kind about the sound,
but since none of the writers in question give any indication of ever
having heard any other issue of these recordings (admission: I haven't
either), I'm skeptical. Did Sony botch this, or are these simply a
bunch of obnoxious would-be audiophiles who don't like the way it was
recorded in 1954? Is another CD issue any better (or as good)?
I don't know, but the two reviews and four comments on amazon
are really dumb, not really saying anything but ambiguity.
I wouldn't take them seriously.
Matthew B. Tepper
2012-11-03 20:34:25 UTC
Permalink
Post by Tom Amolad
The user reviews and (even more annoyingly catty) comments on Sony's
2010 issue of Reiner's RCA Wagner recordings (http://www.amazon.com/
Reiner-Conducts-Wagner/dp/B003YI3D36/) aren't kind about the sound,
but since none of the writers in question give any indication of ever
having heard any other issue of these recordings (admission: I haven't
either), I'm skeptical. Did Sony botch this, or are these simply a
bunch of obnoxious would-be audiophiles who don't like the way it was
recorded in 1954? Is another CD issue any better (or as good)?
I don't know, but the two reviews and four comments on amazon are really
dumb, not really saying anything but ambiguity. I wouldn't take them
seriously.
I've seen all too many unhelpful "reviews" like that. One was for a Doremi
CD of live performances by Michael Rabin, in which the "reviewer" simply
gushed about Rabin's technique and deplored his short unhappy life, without
saying anything substantive about the actual performances at hand nor the
quality of the sound (something one always needs to know upfront when
considering a Doremi release). These kinds of "reviews" are of a piece
with the so-called "discographies" one often sees which are simply a list
of recordings by a particular artist that just happen to be in print.
--
Matthew B. Tepper: WWW, science fiction, classical music, ducks!!
Read about "Proty" here: http://home.earthlink.net/~oy/proty.html
To write to me, do for my address what Androcles did for the lion
Opinions expressed here are not necessarily those of my employers.
p***@gmail.com
2012-11-04 05:11:58 UTC
Permalink
I won't disagree that the Amazon comments may be stupid or unhelpful. However, I have owned the Reiner Wagner chunks in two CD incarnations and I decided rightly or wrongly that they are just not very well recorded. Certainly this is not one of RCA Living Stereo's demonstration discs.
Mr. Mike
2012-11-04 14:18:47 UTC
Permalink
Post by p***@gmail.com
I won't disagree that the Amazon comments may be stupid or unhelpful.
I love it when someone "reviews" a DVD at Amazon months ahead of the
DVD's release, presumably just to be the first person to post a
review.
Mark S
2012-11-04 19:11:27 UTC
Permalink
Post by Mr. Mike
I love it when someone "reviews" a DVD at Amazon months ahead of the
DVD's release, presumably just to be the first person to post a
review.
There are those in the industry who get review copies of movies and music months ahead of their street dates.
M forever
2012-11-04 19:49:13 UTC
Permalink
Post by Mark S
Post by Mr. Mike
I love it when someone "reviews" a DVD at Amazon months ahead of the
DVD's release, presumably just to be the first person to post a
review.
There are those in the industry who get review copies of movies and music months ahead of their street dates.
But those aren't necessarily exactly the same products which then end
up on Amazon.
The Historian
2012-11-05 05:11:35 UTC
Permalink
Post by M forever
Post by Mark S
Post by Mr. Mike
I love it when someone "reviews" a DVD at Amazon months ahead of the
DVD's release, presumably just to be the first person to post a
review.
There are those in the industry who get review copies of movies and music months ahead of their street dates.
But those aren't necessarily exactly the same products which then end
up on Amazon.
For books that's especially true.
Mr. Mike
2012-11-05 14:53:36 UTC
Permalink
On Sun, 4 Nov 2012 11:11:27 -0800 (PST), Mark S
Post by Mark S
Post by Mr. Mike
I love it when someone "reviews" a DVD at Amazon months ahead of the
DVD's release, presumably just to be the first person to post a
review.
There are those in the industry who get review copies of movies and music months ahead of their street dates.
Trust me, this is not a case like that. I am referring specifically to
DVDs of Hawaii Five-O (something of particular interest to me), where
the "advance reviews" were written by psychofans (even worse than me).
aesthete8
2012-11-04 09:43:21 UTC
Permalink
Post by Tom Amolad
The user reviews and (even more annoyingly catty) comments on Sony's
2010 issue of Reiner's RCA Wagner recordings (http://www.amazon.com/
Reiner-Conducts-Wagner/dp/B003YI3D36/) aren't kind about the sound,
but since none of the writers in question give any indication of ever
having heard any other issue of these recordings (admission: I haven't
either), I'm skeptical.  Did Sony botch this, or are these simply a
bunch of obnoxious would-be audiophiles who don't like the way it was
recorded in 1954?  Is another CD issue any better (or as good)?
Also, did Reiner record any Wanger in the studio in Chicago that's not
on this CD?
Thanks,
Tom
The following may be of interest:

- These are exquisite, full-bodied readings that focus attention on
the splendor of Wagner's orchestration. While avoiding the overt
sensuality of Stokowski, Reiner conjures breathtakingly gorgeous,
ardent playing from his orchestra, complemented by superb sound (and a
much riper bass than usual). Tempos are patient and effectively paint
the mood of each section, perhaps to compensate for the lack of
explanatory narrative context or theatrical action. Thus, Reiner makes
us feel the soft evolution of the dawn and the dry funeral grief of
the Gotterdammerung excerpts.

http://www.classicalnotes.net/columns/reiner.html
Norman Schwartz
2012-11-04 18:13:50 UTC
Permalink
Post by aesthete8
Post by Tom Amolad
The user reviews and (even more annoyingly catty) comments on Sony's
2010 issue of Reiner's RCA Wagner recordings (http://www.amazon.com/
Reiner-Conducts-Wagner/dp/B003YI3D36/) aren't kind about the sound,
but since none of the writers in question give any indication of ever
having heard any other issue of these recordings (admission: I
haven't either), I'm skeptical. Did Sony botch this, or are these
simply a bunch of obnoxious would-be audiophiles who don't like the
way it was recorded in 1954? Is another CD issue any better (or as
good)?
Also, did Reiner record any Wanger in the studio in Chicago that's
not on this CD?
Thanks,
Tom
- These are exquisite, full-bodied readings that focus attention on
the splendor of Wagner's orchestration. While avoiding the overt
sensuality of Stokowski, Reiner conjures breathtakingly gorgeous,
ardent playing from his orchestra, complemented by superb sound (and a
much riper bass than usual). Tempos are patient and effectively paint
the mood of each section, perhaps to compensate for the lack of
explanatory narrative context or theatrical action. Thus, Reiner makes
us feel the soft evolution of the dawn and the dry funeral grief of
the Gotterdammerung excerpts.
http://www.classicalnotes.net/columns/reiner.html
I'm in complete agreement with the comments regarding the sound of this
release. Also included (in cat. #63301) is a Reiner Strauss' Don Juan,
recorded a couple of months earlier and sounds equally fine. To my hearing
and preferences this release sounds every 'bit' as good, and even better
than most of the recordings which I own.
Norman Schwartz
2012-11-04 18:18:30 UTC
Permalink
Post by Norman Schwartz
Post by aesthete8
Post by Tom Amolad
The user reviews and (even more annoyingly catty) comments on Sony's
2010 issue of Reiner's RCA Wagner recordings (http://www.amazon.com/
Reiner-Conducts-Wagner/dp/B003YI3D36/) aren't kind about the sound,
but since none of the writers in question give any indication of
ever having heard any other issue of these recordings (admission: I
haven't either), I'm skeptical. Did Sony botch this, or are these
simply a bunch of obnoxious would-be audiophiles who don't like the
way it was recorded in 1954? Is another CD issue any better (or as
good)?
Also, did Reiner record any Wanger in the studio in Chicago that's
not on this CD?
Thanks,
Tom
- These are exquisite, full-bodied readings that focus attention on
the splendor of Wagner's orchestration. While avoiding the overt
sensuality of Stokowski, Reiner conjures breathtakingly gorgeous,
ardent playing from his orchestra, complemented by superb sound (and
a much riper bass than usual). Tempos are patient and effectively
paint the mood of each section, perhaps to compensate for the lack of
explanatory narrative context or theatrical action. Thus, Reiner
makes us feel the soft evolution of the dawn and the dry funeral
grief of the Gotterdammerung excerpts.
http://www.classicalnotes.net/columns/reiner.html
I'm in complete agreement with the comments regarding the sound of
this release. Also included (in cat. #63301) is a Reiner Strauss' Don
Juan, recorded a couple of months earlier and sounds equally fine. To
my hearing and preferences this release sounds every 'bit' as good,
and even better than most of the recordings which I own.
My mistake, the Strauss was recorded 2/6/60 and being about 10 months later
than the Wagner.
gggg gggg
2023-07-26 18:06:24 UTC
Permalink
Post by Tom Amolad
The user reviews and (even more annoyingly catty) comments on Sony's
2010 issue of Reiner's RCA Wagner recordings (http://www.amazon.com/
Reiner-Conducts-Wagner/dp/B003YI3D36/) aren't kind about the sound,
but since none of the writers in question give any indication of ever
having heard any other issue of these recordings (admission: I haven't
either), I'm skeptical. Did Sony botch this, or are these simply a
bunch of obnoxious would-be audiophiles who don't like the way it was
recorded in 1954? Is another CD issue any better (or as good)?
Also, did Reiner record any Wanger in the studio in Chicago that's not
on this CD?
Thanks,
Tom
(Y. upload):

"Kirsten Flagstad Der fliegende Hollander excerpts (1937 live)"

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