Search - Strauss, Zinman, Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich :: Metamorphosen / Oboe Concerto / Four Last Songs

Three Shimmering Late Masterpieces

Artiste | Minneapolis, MN USA | 09/22/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD of three of Strauss' most sublime works is a real treasure, and a bargain to boot. These are among Richard Strauss' most lovely, compositions: autumnal and full of deep, dark richness in sound and emotional content. These three pieces are why I love this composer's work.



These works represent, to my mind, a more pared-down Strauss, a contrast to his big glittery tone poems, so dense with his terrific orchestrations. The Metamorphosen, Four Last Songs and the Oboe Concerto seem to be examples of a great master coming to terms with his art, full of confidence, brilliance and understatement.



The Four Last Songs and the Oboe Concerto are especially wonderful. These works are well represented on disc, but these performances by relatively unknown soloists really shine.



If you know only the big, brassy, sonically dazzling Strauss, this CD is a perfect introduction to another aspect of this wonderful composer."

Zinman's Strauss

Eric S. Kim | Southern California | 01/13/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Critically acclaimed maestro David Zinman is as outstanding as the late Rudolf Kempe: he handles Richard Strauss' masterful tone poems magnificently. Every note is taken under direct precision, and there is no overblowing whatsoever. The Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich gives out spectacular emotion in almost every piece. The soloists, especially Melanie Diener as the soprano for "Four Last Songs", do a fine job and play their parts with clarity. As for the sound quality, it is most excellent when it comes to volume and beauty.



Each tone poem strikes me like lightning. Ein Alpensinfonie, Macbeth, Metamorphosen, & Tod Und Verklarung are very powerful to listen to. Aus Italien, Don Quixote, Don Juan, & Sinfonia Domestica have pure dynamism. Also Sprach Zarathustra, Oboenkonzert, Parergon, Vier Letzte Lieder, & Festliches Präludium are at their finest when it comes to Zinman's conducting. To know the rest is to listen to them straight through.



I highly recommend these seven CD's to anyone who is starting to have a keen fascination with Richard Strauss. It is low-priced for seven discs, and the brilliant performances from the Tonhalle Orchestra will just dazzle you completely. Also, try the Rudolf Kempe renditions with the Staatskapelle Dresden: they're either on EMI Classics or on Brilliant Classics.



Volume 1: Aus Italien, Macbeth Richard Strauss: Aus Italien; Macbeth



Volume 2: Ein Heldenleben, Tod und Verklarung Richard Strauss: Ein Heldenleben; Tod und Verklärung



Volume 3: Don Juan, Till Eulenspiegels, Also Sprach Zarathustra Richard Strauss: Don Juan; Till Eulenspiegels lustige Streiche; Also sprach Zarathustra



Volume 4: Ein Alpensinfonie Eine Alpensinfonie / Festliches Praludium



Volume 6: Symphonia Domestica, Parergon for Piano R. Strauss: Sinfonia Domestica; Parergon



Volume 7: Don Quixote R.Strauss: Don Quixote; Celloromanze; Bläserserenade"

Low-key conducting and a cautious singer in the Four Last So

Santa Fe Listener | Santa Fe, NM USA | 11/05/2007

(3 out of 5 stars)

"It's impossible to attempt a new version of Strauss's glorious Four Last Songs without coming up against equally glorious sopranos on the order of Schwarzkopf, Della Casa, Te Kanawa, Fleming, and Norman. However, even if you drop your standards quite a distance, Melanaie Diener is cautious to the point of timidity, and she has a hard time controlling the wobble in her otherwise attractive voice. She isn't helped by David Zinman's lackluster conducting. He must have made a devil's bargain for fame, buecause on this CD as well as his recent Mahelr offerings on RCA/BMG, he couldn't be more tepid and uninspired. Simon Fuchs, the soloist in the Oboe Concerto, raises the standard of musicality a few nothces higher, delivering an enjoyable reading that would have been all the better with an energetic condcutor.



If you want these three late works on one CD, raise your sights to the heights and buy Karajan on budget DG."