Favorite recording of Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg: Poll
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I'm not surprised the Kubelik is the winner. Although I agree that the Sawallisch is the best of the digital recordings and possibly has the best sound of all the sets.
N.
The digital competition isn't great! I think Sawallisch is better than most of the analogue sets, too.
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$16.95 as a download from Opera Depot. If Andy's still doing CDs it's $28.95.
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Yes, I believe he is still doing CDs. I just got some in the mail last week.
By the way, how does the sound quality of Opera Depot's Kubelik Meistersinger compare to the sound quality of the other releases of it?
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I have both so I'll compare and report back.
I didn't realize the official Arts issue is out of print, that's a real pity. Hopefully it reappears soon, that's a Top 5 Desert Island Wagner recording!
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Did you figure out whether one sounds better?
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Not yet Adriesba. I'll try to do a quick comparison over the next day or so, honest!
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I've been listening to a lot of Meistersinger recordings on YouTube. Some I gave up fairly quickly, some I listened to extensively and even the whole opera several times. I'll straight away dismiss Jochum, Bohm, Sawallisch, Solti and Karajan except for his 1974 BPO radio broadcast, which is excellent, and maybe his 1951 with Schwarzkopf.
Next, which Knappertsbusch recordings? I dismiss the two usual Bayreuth ones as being over-theatrical and even a bit shouty in places. Hard to choose between his 1951 Vienna and his 1955 Bavarian, and I like both, but I'll go with the 1951 which is close to a top choice. Not the greatest sound, but it's quite smooth.
Most of the historical recordings are in poor sound, though some are quite clear, so I won't go there. I do, however, like the Abendroth 1943. Honourable mention then goes to Reiner 1955, Kempe 1951, Kubelik 1967, Cluytens 1957.
So my top choices?
Kempe 1956 - no surprise here. Wonderful singing and conducting and a thoroughly musical performance with plenty of humanity.
Video version: Honourable mention to Met/Levine and VPO Gatti. Both very good musically. Top choice you may find surprising, but it's the 2017 Bayreuth with Jordan. This is just thoroughly musical all through, well sung and conducted and gives a lot of listening pleasure.
Next, which Knappertsbusch recordings? I dismiss the two usual Bayreuth ones as being over-theatrical and even a bit shouty in places. Hard to choose between his 1951 Vienna and his 1955 Bavarian, and I like both, but I'll go with the 1951 which is close to a top choice. Not the greatest sound, but it's quite smooth.
Most of the historical recordings are in poor sound, though some are quite clear, so I won't go there. I do, however, like the Abendroth 1943. Honourable mention then goes to Reiner 1955, Kempe 1951, Kubelik 1967, Cluytens 1957.
So my top choices?
Kempe 1956 - no surprise here. Wonderful singing and conducting and a thoroughly musical performance with plenty of humanity.
Video version: Honourable mention to Met/Levine and VPO Gatti. Both very good musically. Top choice you may find surprising, but it's the 2017 Bayreuth with Jordan. This is just thoroughly musical all through, well sung and conducted and gives a lot of listening pleasure.
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Can't hear any significant difference between the two. You could safely get the Opera Depot version and I wouldn't expect you to be disappointed.Not yet Adriesba. I'll try to do a quick comparison over the next day or so, honest!
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See post #72. :tiphat:
Kubelik, finally a Walther that has no bark, no bite, is not strained, does for this in terms of lyricism what Wunderlich does in other literature. And Janowitz, good lord.
I would have hoped for more from Solti, Van Dam, Heppner, but it's good, not the equal of Kubelik. Van Dam, as magnificent a singer as he is, seems to be more of a singer husbanding his resources than a character.
But always hoping for a tenor that does what needs to be done, and that's Konya. Sappy, spring-like singing.:clap:
I would have hoped for more from Solti, Van Dam, Heppner, but it's good, not the equal of Kubelik. Van Dam, as magnificent a singer as he is, seems to be more of a singer husbanding his resources than a character.
But always hoping for a tenor that does what needs to be done, and that's Konya. Sappy, spring-like singing.:clap:
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I've just listened to BBC Radio 3's Building a Library podcast on Die Meisteringer and the reviewer also recommended the Kubelik. Unfortunately it's not exactly easy to acquire these days. The Arts Archive transfer they recommend is selling at prices of upwards of £140 on ebay these days. I've also come across one on the Calig label, which is selling at a little less (£44) but I don't know what this transfer is like.
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Do we need a mass letter-writing (or email) campaign to the record company? If they see enough sales, would they re-release it?
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I doubt the company even exists anymore.
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Thinking out loud: Would anyone own the rights? If not, does some place like Opera Depot offer it? And is that legitimate to purchase if it is out of print?
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