Richard Wagner - Tannhäuser - Grümmer, Fischer-Dieskau, Wunderlich - Konwitschny, 1961 - Recorded 19603CD - ADD - Cover - 58'34, 70'28, 57'04
EMI 1990/95
Performed by Berlin State Opera Orchestra
with Arnold Schremm, Gerhard Unger, Reiner Suss, Marianne Schech, Lisa Otto, Karl-Heinz Voortmann, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Gottlob Frick, Elisabeth Grummer, Hans Hopf, Rudolf Gonszar, Manfred Koop, Fritz Wunderlich, Michael Wein
Conducted by Franz Konwitschny, Karl Schmidt
This one derives from Berlin in the 1960s. It gives the opera in its original 1845 "Dresden" version. Thus the so-called "Venusburg Music" which Wagner interpolated in 1861 for a Paris production is not here. Those who favour the "don't sew a new patch onto an old wineskin" maxim, will believe that Wagner's original plan to have the overture conclude with a spectacular reprise of the "Pilgrim's Chorus" from the full weight of brass instruments and swirling strings is the better option.
Franz Konwitschny was chosen as conductor for this recording. His long experience in German opera, especially Wagner, and his overall grasp of structure, whether phrasing the delicate woodwind passages before Wolfram's Act 3 aria or balancing the massive forces involved in the Act 2 finale, justify the choice. Insights into the opera's underlying representation of man struggle to choose between conflicting values are glimpsed as Konwitschny shapes the performance. The orchestra and chorus come from the Berlin State Opera, and their work is especially fine.
As for the principal singers, well, there's an array of great German artists here. The matchless Elisabeth Gr mmer is the Elisabeth. "An angel has come down from the sky," sing the knights and minstrels, and you'll not want to disagree. Matchless also is Gottlob Frick, as her uncle, the Landgraf. His deep bass voice with its gleaming resonance commands attention. It is hard to imagine a better Wolfram than Fischer-Dieskau provides. Singing with the long breath, and his usual word colouring, he delivers the best performance of his Act 3 aria I have ever heard. Alert listeners will also recognize the sweet-voiced tenor Fritz Wunderlich in the small part of Walther. --Amazon customer
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