Richard Wagner - Die Walküre and Tannhauser (Excerpts) - Martha Mödl - Keilbert 1955 (second cycle)4CDs - ADD (recorded in stereo) - Cover - 64'39, 62'16, 59'39, 75'04
Testament SBT4 1432 - released 2009
Die Walküre:
Brünnhilde - Marta Mödl, Sieglinde - Astrid Varnay, Wotan - Hans Hotter, Siegmund - Ramon Vinay, Hunding - Josef Greindl, Frickas - Georgine von Milinkovic
Tannhäuser (Excerpts: Overture, Venusberg Bacchanal (Act1), Wolfram's Ballad and Duet (Act III))
Wolfram - Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Tannhäuser - Wolfgang Windgassen
Orchester und Chor der Bayreuther Festspiele conducted by Joseph Keilberth, Bayreuth Festival 1955.
Testament's release of the 1955 second cycle Die Walkure may be the finest recorded performance of this work released -- live or studio. Modl and Varnay, both purveyors of raw, unalloyed female sexuality, are stunning. Modl, at the peak of her powers, is tremendous as Brunnhilde; and Varnay's Sieglinde is a real woman, not a awakening child. These two great artists would steal the show, but for Hotter's wonderful Wotan. Hotter was without doubt the greatest Wotan since World War ll (only Ferdinand Frantz was in the same league). All three are in top vocal form (yes, we all know about Modl's sometimes questionable upper register, Varnay's scooping, and Hotter's unsteadiness, but none of this in evidence on this occasion). Greindl, like Hotter also occasionally unsteady, is fearsome as Hunding, and Vinay is a fine Siegmund. Modl's scenes with Vinay and Hotter are simply devastatingly bittersweet and poignant. Milinkovic, a very under appreciated artist, is excellent as Fricka and the Valkyries are very good. Keilberth, long taken for granted, leads a marvellous performance. Bravo!! --Amazon customer
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