Richard Wagner: Tristan und Isolde (2002)

This classic performance of Tristan und Isolde from the 1952 Bayreuth Festival has seen a number of incarnations on CD. That's not surprising, given the sound quality, which is unusually clean, full, and well-balanced for a live recording of that era, the high standard of the orchestral playing, and the star turns from the principals. Herbert von Karajan leads a performance that avoids extremes and interpretive idiosyncrasies, but which is exceptionally supple, sensitive to the singers, and surgingly urgent. All the singers ... Read More

This classic performance of Tristan und Isolde from the 1952 Bayreuth Festival has seen a number of incarnations on CD. That's not surprising, given the sound quality, which is unusually clean, full, and well-balanced for a live recording of that era, the high standard of the orchestral playing, and the star turns from the principals. Herbert von Karajan leads a performance that avoids extremes and interpretive idiosyncrasies, but which is exceptionally supple, sensitive to the singers, and surgingly urgent. All the singers perform with consummate skill and commitment; this is clearly an ensemble fully at ease with the opera's fearsome demands. Martha Mödl's Isolde is womanly and passionate; she fully throws herself into the role and persuasively conveys Isolde's transformation from furious adversary to tender lover. Her tone is full and earthy, but can also be meltingly warm and intimate. She has the solidity to make the low-lying parts of the role powerfully menacing, and the lightness to soar when... Read Less

• All from $37.13
• New Music from $37.13

• All Copies (1)
• CD (1)
• Choose Release (1)

Currently there are no new copies available. However, our inventory changes frequently. Please check back soon or try Book Fetch.

2008, Urania UPC: 8025726223658 CD See All from $37.13