Search - Richard [Classical] Wagner, Leif Segerstam, Royal Swedish Opera Orchestra :: Wagner: Opera Choruses

A Good Collection of Wagner's Choruses

Timothy Kearney | Hull, MA United States | 03/02/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Wagner wrote great choral scenes in his operas, but when recorded in excerpt form, they rarely have the power found in a complete recording or a live performance. The same holds true when singers use Wagner arias as a solo venture. Wagner does not seem to work excerpted. I have a few solo collections of Wagner arias and recordings of great German operatic choruses that I believe prove this point. Sometimes, when driving or casually listening to music, a listener wants a stirring rendition of a Wagner chorus, and hope for a recording similar to collections of Verdi choruses that even by the worst orchestras and choral groups still seem exciting. Few exist, until now. This recording by the Royal Swedish Orchestra and Chorus, under the direction of Leif Segerstam, is not only a bargain but a good recording of great Wagnerian choral works.



Surprisingly the best track on the album is the most difficult, the finale from Act I of PARSIFAL. "Elsa's Dream" from LOHENGRIN and the "Entry to the Hall" of TANNHAUSSER are well done. The excerpt from HOLLANDER is riveting. The RIENZI excerpt is probably less familiar to most audiences and listeners will see a different aspect of this great composer. The only fair track was the excerpt from DIE MEISTERSINGER, but this work always seems tricky to record.



According to the liner notes, the Royal Swedish Orchestra and Chorus have one of the best reputations outside of Germany for performing the works of Wagner. Listeners do get a taste of what this ensemble has to offer and if this recording is an indication of the ensemble's quality, Wagner in Sweden is probably an enjoyable experience.

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