Search - Franz Lehar, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, Zurich Tonhalle Orchestra :: Lehár Conducts Lehár

The best Lehar CD to own

charles morgan, music fanatic | 11/21/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Who doesn't love the idea of hearing Lehar conduct his own waltzes and overtures?



Fortunately, unlike some composers (like Grofe), Franz Lehar is an adept conductor, and he gives his waltzes the Viennese sparkle and joy that makes them all so darn good. A particular favorite is the first waltz from "Eva" - you may have never heard it before, but it's one of those things you could just swear you've heard before.



All the music is gorgeous, though the overly long Musical Memoiren is repetitive. The "You Are My Heart's Delight" aria from "Land of Smiles" appears in the overture and just melts my heart...and everyone knows the gorgeous "Merry Widow," here given a masterful performance.



But you probably are eager to buy the music - the question is, what's the sound like? The digital remastering is as good as it possibly could be, and my hat's off to David Lennich and Graham Newton, the digital magicians: there are no snaps, crackles, and pops, and no hiss in the background. If you turn up a volume a little to compensate for the "Digital Noise Reduction", it sounds years younger than it is.



There's no better way to experience the waltzes and overtures of Franz Lehar than to hear these surprisingly good-sounding recordings of the old man himself...and, although there are two other "Lehar conducts Lehar" CDs on the market, this is the one to buy: they all have the same music (and, in most cases, they are the same recording!) but this CD is cheapest of all.



Enjoy!"