Mozart operas

[DavidRoss]

If we agree that Jacobs/HM is best modern HIP Figaro......what about favorite classic CD version?

My fave "classic" is the Giulini you listed.  It has cuts but it's the one I imprinted on Another I like is Östman's with Barbara Bonney, Arleen Augér, and Alicia Nafé.  I also have the Solti you listed but haven't heard it in years.  (That's one of the problems with "collecting" recordings:  after awhile you have so many that most go unheard.)

[DarkAngel]

My fave "classic" is the Giulini you listed.  It has cuts but it's the one I imprinted on Another I like is Östman's with Barbara Bonney, Arleen Augér, and Alicia Nafé.  I also have the Solti you listed but haven't heard it in years.  (That's one of the problems with "collecting" recordings:  after awhile you have so many that most go unheard.)

Personally I don't mind CD versions that have recitativo sections removed so opera can fit on 2 Cds, saves money and time.
Just listened to the Giulini/EMI tonight, 1959 stereo and on paper (and in reality) the trio of Schwarzkopf/Moffo/Cossotto would be extremely hard to beat

Not familiar with Ostman, but the Solti versions have very high value in the used market especially the Figaro.......if it were cheaper I would pick one up 

[Dancing Divertimentian]

Don't recall if I've mentioned this already (I did post somewhere on this lengthy thread) but for my money one of THE leading lights in Mozart opera is Fricsay. Fricsay was one of the first of his generation to espouse a more nimble, 'energetic' Mozart (Rosbaud, too) while still finding time to smell the roses - sort of a 'hybrid' approach I suppose to classical-era music. It's a style that's worn well over time and slips neatly into today's Mozart's aesthetic. 

I find Fricsay more lively than either Giulini or Böhm (as far as the older generation) and is a brighter light than Jacobs (from the new).

Not to mention his singers are (were) some of the finest out there.

So why hasn't his name cropped up more often in these types of discussions? Because he had the misfortune of dying prematurely which meant DG's PR machine gave him a complete miss. But he had the Mozart goods.

[Que]

what about favorite classic CD version?

My favourite "classic" performances - though I still need to check out Fricsay, I have high expectations of him.
As you can see I don't like either Giulini or Böhm (in Mozart)...







Q

[DarkAngel]

OK guys who was/is the greatest Don Giovanni?
Who has the swagger and the pure bravura to bring this notorius playboy to life........

In the 1950s Siepi was very popular
In the 1980s Ramey was very convincing, and had the dashing good looks for DVD media

[DarkAngel]

My favourite "classic" performances - though I still need to check out Fricsay, I have high expectations of him.
As you can see I don't like either Giulini or Böhm (in Mozart)...


Q

Q, since you like the Siepi/Della Casa - Don G. have you heard the live 1956 Mitropoulos?
I almost bought this a couple times.....

[Que]

Q, since you like the Siepi/Della Casa - Don G. have you heard the live 1956 Mitropoulos?
I almost bought this a couple times.....

Indeed I have, it's on my shelves.

Stellar line up, absolutely gorgeous singing - maybe the best sung Don I know - and Mitropoulos provides a fascinating view of the work. But I find the combination Mitropoulos-Mozart not quite a natural one. His approach can be fierce but it's like he's flogging a horse on the wrong moments: losing momentum when it should be picked up and forcing things when the music should flow naturally. His is basically a late-Romantic approach/ re-creation, like Furtwängler's.
Still, if you're into collecting recordings of the Don that really matter - this is definitely one of them!

But for a really interesting historical interpretation, I would turn my attention to Bruno Walter. His Don sounds as naturally Mozartian as can be. He made two live recordings of the Don: one at Salzburg in 1937, and another at the Metropolitan Opera in 1942. I'm familiar with the MET '42 and it is, despite truly rudimentary sound, endlessly fascinating and highly enjoyable.



Review on Classicstoday

I recently tracked down a copy of the Salzburg '37, of which I heard fragments several years ago and in my memory could surpass - both technically & as an interpretation the MET recording. But it's still on the listening pile!  It's on a pirate's label but I took my chances... The ORF should finally license this for a proper official issue, on Orfeo for instance.



Q

[DarkAngel]

Don't think there are many Solti fans here...........but after listening to samples I decided his Figaro and Cosi are quite good:
Plus I need one good Kiri Te Kawana opera for Mozart, so Figaro will be it




I was hoping for more from the Bohm/EMI Cosi:
(on paper "should" be the best: Schwarzkopf/Ludwig)

I slightly prefer the mono Karajan/EMI instead:
(Schwarzkopf in both)

[knight66]

I have or have had all these recordings through my hands. I value the Solti Figaro very highly, but I think he misses the lightness needed for Cosi, though it has good things in it. I like the Karajan Cosi, but have a weakness for certain voices, so although I do not recommend it in preference; the live Bohm with Janowitz and Fassbaender is very much to my taste. Unfortunately it has been cut and there is some vital music missing. But Bohm manages the fleet feeling of the music that Solti does not really capture here.

Another surprisingly good live recording from EMI is Mutti, Margaret Marshall is excellent and the piece flashes by. Davis has the drawback of unsatisfactory men, there are however compensations from Caballe and Baker.

Mike

[karlhenning]

Someday, I must investigate Così better.

[DarkAngel]

I have or have had all these recordings through my hands. I value the Solti Figaro very highly, but I think he misses the lightness needed for Cosi, though it has good things in it. I like the Karajan Cosi, but have a weakness for certain voices, so although I do not recommend it in preference; the live Bohm with Janowitz and Fassbaender is very much to my taste. Unfortunately it has been cut and there is some vital music missing. But Bohm manages the fleet feeling of the music that Solti does not really capture here.

Another surprisingly good live recording from EMI is Mutti, Margaret Marshall is excellent and the piece flashes by. Davis has the drawback of unsatisfactory men, there are however compensations from Caballe and Baker.

Mike

Yes I have checked that later live Bohm Cosi and it does seem better than the famous Schwarzkopf/Ludwig version.
There seems to be two live versions available both have Janowitz & Fassbaender:

-Opera D'oro label with Vienna Opera Orchestra
-DG label with VPO

Are you referring to the VPO version?

[DarkAngel]

I have or have had all these recordings through my hands. I value the Solti Figaro very highly, but I think he misses the lightness needed for Cosi, though it has good things in it.
Mike

Very strong female trio in Solti's figaro: Te Kawana/Popp/Von Stade

And young Samuel Ramey is a very charming Figaro! Just love his voice.........

[DavidRoss]

Someday, I must investigate Così better.

Goodness, yes!  Perhaps the loveliest of them all.  I'm quite happy with Jacobs, Kuijken, and the great Walter Legge's Böhm/Philharmonia/Schwarzkopf/Ludwig/Steffek/Kraus/Berry/Taddei with some of the most heavenly singing I've ever heard.

[knight66]

DarkAngel, Yes the Bohm version is the DGG one with the VPO.

The Charles Mackerras version in English is very fine indeed; but for a niche market I guess. I will get myself a HIP version at some point. But the versions I have are, between them, very satisfying.

Mike

[Anne]

If anyone is interested, Professor Robert Greenberg from the Teaching Company chose Cosi Fan Tutte as the opera he teaches in one of his courses.  It was great help for me and would be for anyone else too.  He points out things I never would have thought about; he certainly explains what is going on in that opera.

I just received an email from that company today saying that all their courses will be 75% off for the next 5 days.  THAT is a good deal!
 I am not affiliated with them in any way.   0:)

Karl, the professor also composes music and has won some world awards.  Maybe you already know him?

http://www.teach12.com/ttcx/CourseDescLong2.aspx?cid=780

[DarkAngel]

If anyone is interested, Professor Robert Greenberg from the Teaching Company chose Cosi Fan Tutte as the opera he teaches in one of his courses.  It was great help for me and would be for anyone else too.  He points out things I never would have thought about; he certainly explains what is going on in that opera.

My method for understanding and enjoying opera on CD is whenever possible have a good DVD version with English subtitles to visualize scences in your mind......for future CD playback you can recall these scences or create your own variation.

For Cosi Fan Tutte I have a great standard and fun modern remake references with:

 

[Anne]

If anyone is interested, Professor Robert Greenberg from the Teaching Company chose Cosi Fan Tutte as the opera he teaches in one of his courses.  It was great help for me and would be for anyone else too.  He points out things I never would have thought about; he certainly explains what is going on in that opera.

I just received an email from that company today saying that all their courses will be 75% off for the next 5 days.  THAT is a good deal!
 I am not affiliated with them in any way.   0:)

Karl, the professor also composes music and has won some world awards.  Maybe you already know him?

http://www.teach12.com/ttcx/CourseDescLong2.aspx?cid=780

For anyone who read this post earlier, I found a better link to Mozart's

Cosi Fan Tutte at The Teaching Company's web site.  The price is also cheaper.

[Anne]

"My method for understanding and enjoying opera on CD is whenever possible have a good DVD version with English subtitles to visualize scences in your mind......for future CD playback you can recall these scences or create your own variation.

For Cosi Fan Tutte I have a great standard and fun modern remake references with: ....."

DA, Would you mind telling us the conductor and primary singers in that 1st DVD?  I cannot make it out.  TIA

[DarkAngel]

"My method for understanding and enjoying opera on CD is whenever possible have a good DVD version with English subtitles to visualize scences in your mind......for future CD playback you can recall these scences or create your own variation.

For Cosi Fan Tutte I have a great standard and fun modern remake references with: ....."

DA, Would you mind telling us the conductor and primary singers in that 1st DVD?  I cannot make it out.  TIA

Ivan Fischer conducts live from Glyndebourne opera house 2006
Opus Arte 2 DVD with very nice booklet

Miah Persson and Anke Vondung are the two sisters whose fidelity is put to the test.....
Please check this video sample of act 1 final, the picture quality is best I have seen for any Mozart DVD

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCWxbfFIflE&feature=related

[Anne]

DA, I listened to that You Tube piece you provided.  It was excellent and also very funny! (this last part - thanks to Dr. Greenberg's class)