Search - Wagner, Karajan, Bpo :: Preludes & Overtures

Karajan's complete operas of Wagner were very much a mixed bag--some were great and some much less so, largely because Karajan had a strange concept of casting in which he wanted singers who were subservient to his concept, rather than ideal for the part they were singing. In the orchestral music, however, we can appreciate his qualities as an interpreter of Wagner without vocal distraction. And make no mistake, Karajan was a great conductor, if not perhaps as great as he might have thought he was. These are exciting, impassioned, and very well played performances of Wagner preludes and overtures, and it's particularly nice to have the complete Venusberg Ballet--silly music, but fun. --David Hurwitz