Strauss R

R Strauss: Tone Poems (Gramola)

A re-release of three great recordings on a different label, whose raison d’être eludes me… [RMo]

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Frederick Stock (conductor) Chicago Symphony Vol. 4 (Pristine Audio)

An absorbing study of an unjustly neglected body of recordings continues [JW]

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Willem Mengelberg (conductor) The Concertgebouw Telefunken Recordings Vol. 4 (Pristine Audio)

Further excellent performances and transfers in this ongoing series [PSt]

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Schoenberg: Verklärte Nacht, Strauss: Eine Alpensinfonie (C Major)

A ravishing Verklärte Nacht, but a lacklustre Alpensinfonie [ST]

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Berl Senofsky (violin): American Virtuoso (Rhine Classics)

Strong, masculine playing from Berl Senofsky – along with some less than stellar performances [JW]

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Willem Mengelberg (conductor) Mahler & Strauss (The Willem Mengelberg Society)

Performances of great historical and musical interest in superb transfers [PSt]

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Mozart & R Strauss: Lieder (Erato)

A worthwhile disc, even if I am equivocal about some of the singing [PT]

Gunther Groissbock I live alone in my heaven Gramola 20005

Günther Groissböck (bass) I live alone in my heaven (Gramola)

A profile of the singer Günther Groissböck – no revelations, but there’s always the voice [ST]

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Berl Senofsky (violin) American Virtuoso (Rhine Classics)

Although something of a mixed bag, there’s much to please the Senofsky admirer enshrined in these two discs [SG]

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R Strauss: Sinfonia Domestica (Arte Nova Classics)

(Déjà Review) Refreshing, highlighting the invention and vivacity [RBr]

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Furtwängler conducts R Strauss (Pristine Audio)

Pristine opens up a new depth of sound for these wartime classics [RMo]

Strauss’s Also sprach Zarathustra

by Ralph Moore

Brindley Sherratt (bass): Fear No More (Delphian)

A splendid operatic bass in a new and satisfying context [WH]

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Strauss: Capriccio (Orfeo)

A good but hardly distinguished production, in terms of both performance and sound [RMo]

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Debussy & Strauss (Melbourne Symphony Orchestra)

An auspicious launch for the Melbourne Symphony’s own label [JQ]

Thomas Quasthoff (bass- baritone) Evening Star (Deutsche Grammophon)

A cunningly devised programme ideally showcasing Quasthoff’s vocal versatility and dramatic gifts [RMo]

475 Jahre Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden (Profil)

Many first-class performances to celebrate the 475th anniversary of the Staatskapelle Dresden [MC]

Strauss: Piano Quartet & Metamorphosen (B Records)

Good performances but there are preferable versions of the main work [SB]

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Strauss: Die schweigsame Frau (BR Klassik)

A lovely supplement to the complete live recording in much better sound [RMo]

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Jacqueline Delman (soprano) More from my archives (Oak Grove)

A valuable documentation of Delman’s versatility, musically, repertoire-wise and linguistically [GF]

Elisabeth Schumann (soprano): Elisabeth Schumann’s Swan Song (Parnassus)

Late recordings, issued in their entirety for the first time, do not show the much loved soprano at her best [PT]

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Brahms, Strauss, Reger & Rihm: Hölderlin-inspired works (Sony Classical)

A fascinating compilation of Hölderlin-inspired pieces [JQ]

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R Strauss: Intermezzo (Warner Classics)

The only studio recording of Strauss’s biographical opera is a complete winner on all front [MP]

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Strauss: Metamorphosen, Piano Quartet (B Records)

An accomplished, early Strauss chamber work of mild interest and a tender, carefully wrought, but slightly too cautious Metamorphosen [RMo]