Search - Richard [Classical] Wagner, Hans Knappertsbusch, Bayreuth Festival Orchestra :: Wagner: Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg

Great conducting, superb remastering job

jonsj | New York, NY United States | 08/14/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Archipel must be commended for finding such an excellent source for this release of the famous 1952 Bayreuth performance of Wagner's Die Meistersinger Von Nurnberg conducted by Hans Knappertsbusch. The mono sound is exceptionally clear and present; indeed it's one of the best-sounding mono recordings to come out of Bayreuth that I've heard.



Knappertsbusch is the reason to get this performance. He is on unusually animated form (his tendency to plod was no myth), and the conducting is sharply characterized, impassioned, and ardently phrased. Listen to the urgency of the famous Act 3 prelude, for example -- the rich but loving lines he draws from the orchestra -- and you'll hear Knappertsbusch at his best.



The cast is not my favorite: Otto Edelman stolid and manly, but not particularly moving as Sachs; Della Casa in beautiful voice but slightly arch; Hans Hopf bellowing away as Walther with sturdy but unbeguiling tone. However, Gerhard Unger's David is a delight and he sings with exceptionally clear diction.



So this is mainly a performance to be treasured for its masterly conducting, but that is hardly insignificant in such a "conductor's piece" as Die Meistersinger. Bravo to Archipel for restoring it so well. Highly recommended.

"