Richard Strauss (1864-1949)
Der Rosenkavalier (1910)
A comedy for music in three acts by Hugo von Hofmannsthal
Vienna Philharmonic Chorus & Orchestra/Erich Kleiber
rec. 29 May-28 June 1954, Grosser Saal, Musikverein, Vienna
mono remastered into XR Ambient Stereo
Pristine Audio PACO 228 [3 CDs: 197]

This famous recording was my second recommendation in the mono studio category in my survey of Strauss’ most popular opera. Here, Andrew Rose has rejuvenated the sound by remastering it into Ambient Stereo and enhancing it via modern digital audio processing, lending it a new warmth, depth, spaciousness and clarity, with the singers having real presence, even if the orchestra remains a little distant; it retains just a hint of edginess but is really remarkably improved, even compared with the excellent CD issue on the Decca Legend label.

Let me first quote from my survey, as I have no reason to modify that response – except, of course, with regard to the fact that its sound here is now even better:

“Its glory is undoubtedly the conducting of Erich Kleiber, so light and subtle in its phrasing, truly echt Viennese in its lilt and delicacy. All the VPO are virtuosos; you have only to listen to the instrumental introduction to Act 3 or the clarinet solo opening Band 3 on CD 1 to hear it. The sound might be mono but it simply glows. Try, too, the close of Act 2 to hear the finest version on disc, where Anna reads the “love letter” from “Mariandel” to the preening Ochs. Ludwig Weber is ideal with his treacly bass, witty inflections, heavy Upper Austrian accent and booming low E; Hilde Rössel-Majdan is sharp and firm voiced as Anina, instead of the slightly past-it mezzo we too often hear. Maria Reining, heard here towards the end of a long and successful career but still only in her early fifties, has been identified as the weakness in this set. It is true that she is not as refulgent as some celebrated exponents of Die Feldmarschallin but she brings a light, experienced touch, crisp diction and real pathos to the role. Sena Jurinac is a firm, boyish Octavian, Hilde Güden predictably pert, bright and charming, her top notes clean and in tune. Anton Dermota is a little dry as the Italian singer but he always seems able to make any role he undertakes a success by the sincerity and phrasing of his singing. Alfred Poell is also firm-voiced; no barking or wobbling. The teamwork amongst cast-members is much in evidence here so timing and humour are spot-on.”

I would now add that it is true that Maria Reining’s vibrato is just a touch broad but that hints at her feeling that she is advancing in years – when I fact she is probably only in her mid-thirties but her young lover is still a teenager. On listening to this latest incarnation from Pristine, I am struck afresh by both the quality in depth of the cast and the mercurial sensitivity and sensibility of Kleiber’s conducting. However, I wonder why Pristine chose as the cover picture an unflattering photograph of him, slumped, with eyes cast down and bundled up in an overcoat with turned up collar, looking as if he is at death’s door. He did indeed die prematurely at only 65 years old, a mere year and a half after recording this in the Musikverein; however, his death was, sadly, at his own hand.

This now becomes the best option for hearing this vintage classic recording, although possessors of the Decca issue mentioned above need not rush to acquire it unless optimum audio quality is a priority, in which case a more modern stereo recording such as Solti’s or Haitink’s digital recording is probably more desirable – but everyone who loves this opera as I do will want to have this in their collection, even as only a supplement.

Ralph Moore

Cast
Maria Reining (soprano): Feldmarschallin
Ludwig Weber (bass): Baron Ochs
Sena Jurinac (soprano): Octavian
Alfred Poell (baritone): Faninal
Hilde Gueden (soprano): Sophie
Judith Hellwig (soprano): Leitmetzerin
Peter Klein (tenor): Valzacchi
Hilde Rössl-Majdan (mezzo-soprano): Annina
Walter Berry (bass-baritone): Police Commissioner
Harald Pröglhöf (bass): Major Domo
August Jaresch (tenor): Faninal’s Major Domo
Franz Bierbach (bass): Notary
Anton Dermota (tenor): Italian Singer
Berta Seidl (soprano): Milliner
Erich Majkut (tenor): Landlord & Animal Seller